COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chuen Wu, Assistant City Manager
DATE: June 3, 2025
SUBJECT: Measure U – Youth Services
The City Council will receive a presentation on how Measure U funds are spent on Youth Services.
BACKGROUND:
On March 5, 2019, the City Council set goals and objectives regarding the use of Measure U proceeds. The goals are to first maintain services, and second, to make service enhancements. The objectives are to make Santa Maria safer, with more services for youth, and to improve the quality of life. To meet these goals and objectives, the City Council authorized Measure U proceeds, beginning in fiscal year 2019-20, to be used 90 percent for public safety, 5 percent for youth services, and 5 percent for quality of life.
At the City Council meeting of March 18, 2025, questions were raised on how Measure U funds were being spent, within the category of youth services. This report summarizes Measure U – Youth Services spending, through the Library an d Recreation and Parks Department.
DISCUSSION:
In fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, $1,719,594 or 5.6 percent of Measure U funds were spent on Youth Services.
2 By department, $850,245 were expended by Recreation and Parks, and $869,349 were expended by the Library.
Recreation and Parks
The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department remains committed to providing high- quality youth and teen programs aimed at fostering positive engagement, skill development, and community involvement.
Measure U funds are pri marily spent on staffing that provide services, including the operation of the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center (Youth Center) and implementation of the extensive lineup of youth and teen programs. In fiscal year 2024 - 25, Measure U funded 12 recreatio n leaders, one (1) technical aide, three (3) facility specialists, four (4) lifeguards, and three (3) swim pool clerks. Other funds are spent on supplies and contracted services.
The Youth Center is a vibrant hub where teens can connect, socialize, and e ngage in activities within a safe and welcoming environment. It remains a vital resource in keeping teens engaged, active, and involved in meaningful experiences that contribute to their overall well-being.
The Youth Center includes:
A multi -media lab, le d by a knowledgeable computer technician who provides homework assistance and helps teens develop computer literacy skills. A music and media room, offering a creative space where teens can explore their musical talents, or relax and enjoy a movie.
An arts and crafts room, guided by a specialist who encourages creativity while reinforcing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. An exercise room equipped with cardio and strength equipment. “The Market,” offering job training and career-building opportunities.
Sample highlights of Youth and Teen Programs include:
Youth sports and fitness, including junior golf clinics, youth pickleball clinics, and a spring fitness challenge.
Teen activities, including creative arts, gardening club, teen yoga, a nd March Madness.
Outdoor and educational adventures, including whale watching, kayaking at Avila Beach, Landshark tour in Santa Barbara.
Special events and workshops, including the Teen Pool Party, and Mother’s Day floral design workshop.
Community and Leadership Programs include:
Key Club: a student -led service organization affiliated with Kiwanis International that focuses on leadership, character-building, and community service. 3 Mayor’s Youth Task Force: a civic engagement program that gives teens th e opportunity to collaborate with city officials, discuss local issues affecting youth, and propose solutions.
Chick-fil-A Leadership Program: a character and leadership development program that equips teens with essential life and workplace skills, focus ing on personal growth, career readiness and making a difference in the community. Full STEAM Ahead: an interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) program designed to engage teens in hands-on learning. Teen CERT Training (Communit y Emergency Response Team): a hands -on program that empowers teens with essential emergency preparedness and disaster response skills.
In the calendar year 2024, the Recreation and Parks Department served a significant number of youth and teens through v arious registered activities, with the following statistics:
2,923 youth served in registered activities
3,226 teen check-ins at the Youth Center
1,185 unique members at the Youth Center
Library
The Santa Maria Public Library (Library) provides a wide array of youth and family programs that set the foundation for early literacy, provide academic support, and foster a culture of community engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning.
Measure U funds are primarily spent on staffing that provides services, but also materials and supplies (utilities), and contracts and services (cleaning). In fiscal year 2023 -24, Measure U funded two (2) librarians, one (1) part-time library technical assistant, and two (2) limited-service assistant library technicians.
The Library and associated Bookmobile have successfully served youth and families in the Santa Maria community through impactful programming as funded by Measure U.
These include, but are not limited to:
Story-time for children of all ages, from babies to preschoolers Homework assistance for elementary school students
Clubs for school -age children ages 6 -11 featuring learning and literacy -based activities, including Spanish, sewing, Pokémon, and others. Teen programs include cooking experiences, visits to junior high schools, and the Anime Club, providing social engagement through art and reading. Bookmobile expanding outreach, attending elementary school events and festivals, literacy nights, class visits, and parent nights in partnership with local organizations.
4 In the calendar year 2024, the Library served a significant number of youth, hosting 1,688 programs for all ages. The Bookmobile served 5,819 patrons at youth -centered events.
By age group, the Library connected with:
1,533 children age 0-5
1,118 elementary age children 6-11
691 teens age 13-17
The library’s future outlook for youth programs remains consistent and positive. Core programs such as early literacy, story times, book clubs, teen engagement and learning programs, and parent education are continuing, with new additions to keep programming fresh, meeting patrons needs. The impact of the Bookmobile is expected to increase, with more requests for school visits and more people engaged at regular stops and outreach events.
Conclusion
Both the Recreation and Parks Department and the Library are committed to enhancing youth opportunities. Through Recreation and Parks, the youth and teen programs are well-attended and serve as a proactive measure to keep youth positively engaged, reducing the likelihood of their involvement in negative behaviors. Through the Library, the youth have access to learning programs that place them on the right path to academic success. Supporting and lifting youth through their elementary and teen years with academic resources, educational and recreational reading, and social engagement keeps them involved, helping them become productive and responsible adults. Measure U funding has been significant in sustaining and enhancing youth services.