Nogales housing board directs staff to draft facility-use policy; keeps status quo with community partners

The Nogales Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on June 24 directed staff to draft a written facility-use policy and license agreements for the Casa de Anza gym (350 W. Western Ave.) and multipurpose room (651 N. Lake Lou St.) and to keep current community partners operating under the existing status quo while the documents are finalized.

The direction came during a study session in City Hall’s council chambers where staff reviewed current practices, identified legal constraints under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules, and presented participation data from existing community programs. Board chair Chairman Maldonado said staff should not interrupt services while policy and contract language are developed: “We don’t change anything. Keep business normal until we get everything finalized and updated,” he told the board.

The discussion focused on three objectives presented by staff: document current practices, explore options for formal agreements, and develop recommendations. Maritza (NHA staff) told the board that the authority has informal partnerships with two nonprofits — Circles of Peace (which used the multipurpose room under a city license that ran from April 7, 2022, to April 7, 2025) and Centro Comunitario Los Nogales (which uses the gym) — but lacks a consistent, written policy covering both spaces. “We would never find this much of organizations that are willing to provide so many services and dedicate so much time for free,” Maritza said of the nonprofits’ programming.

City attorney Mr. Estes (legal counsel) told commissioners that HUD-funded properties must make common areas available to residents and that a license, not an exclusive lease, is the typical vehicle to allow outside organizations to provide recurring services while preserving resident priority access. “HUD … expect[s] that those facilities are available for the residents,” Estes said, recommending license agreements that specify hours, programming and insurance requirements rather than exclusive leases.

Staff presented participation figures contained in meeting materials to illustrate usage patterns: one partner’s tally showed 25 housing participants out of 250 total attendees; a youth program reported 83 youth participants and two listed housing participants. Commissioners used those figures to press for periodic reporting and follow-up to ensure tenants receive notice and opportunity to participate.

Board members also raised transparency and access concerns. Commissioner Bonilla asked that future agreements and any new selection process be open to other community organizations and presentations. “When this deal was made with Circles of Peace, it was not presented to the chairman or commissioners,” Bonilla said, urging an open request-for-proposals or presentations so other nonprofits can compete for use slots. Commissioner Moneo likewise recommended inviting presentations from other entities before finalizing long-term arrangements.

The board asked staff to require insurance that names the housing authority or city as an additional insured and to collect updated evidence of coverage from providers while the new agreements are prepared. Estes said such provisions and one-time special event insurance can be required in license forms and in the standard application for one-time uses.

Staff noted that maintenance and capital funding, including items listed in the five-year capital plan, cover gym upkeep (AC, floor work, painting) and that the deed of trust and HUD materials for both properties are included in the packet. Commissioners discussed options to fund a part-time on-site supervisor so the gym could be open to tenants at non-program times; staff said salary funding could be explored under capital grant rules.

No formal vote was held; the session produced direction to staff to prepare a use policy, standardized license agreements, and to return to the commission with proposed language and potential next steps (including whether to issue an RFP for long-term use). Chair Maldonado and legal counsel instructed staff to keep current programs operating in the interim and to secure updated insurance documentation from providers.

The board intends to place the draft policy and any recommendation about issuing an RFP on a future meeting agenda for formal consideration.