Colfax approves small donation to youth basketball, forms ad hoc to craft MOU with Sierra Vista Center

The Colfax City Council voted Wednesday to donate the remaining balance in the city’s nonprofit donation fund to Sierra Soar’s boys basketball program and to create an ad hoc committee to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the Sierra Vista Center governing access to the Center.

At the May 28 meeting the basketball program’s representatives asked the council for help repairing and improving the Sierra Vista Center gym. The group, which recently formed a nonprofit called Sierra Soar, said estimates to repair the gym floor, refinish and re-line it, and replace glass backboards ranged from roughly $12,000 to $14,000. Program leaders described growing participation at camps (about 60 in spring camp and an expected 90 in summer) and said increased indoor court access would serve area youth and draw families to Colfax.

Council discussion balanced support for youth programming with concerns about the Sierra Vista Center’s governance and the long-term protection of public resources. One councilmember suggested an initial smaller donation and a formal MOU so the city could be sure capital improvements would remain available to programs serving local youth. Another councilmember proposed a larger $5,000 donation; the council ultimately approved donating the remaining balance in its donation account (councilmembers described that remaining amount as $2,500) to the basketball program to cover immediate camp and equipment needs and to allow time to negotiate an MOU.

The council also created an ad hoc committee to negotiate terms with the Sierra Vista Center. Councilmembers Trinity and Larry were named to the committee; the purpose is to secure formal access terms — including scheduling, keys, and time allocations — before the council approves any larger capital contribution for building improvements. Staff and several councilmembers urged that any future capital funds be contingent on an executed MOU that protects taxpayer-funded improvements.

Program coaches and parents addressed the council during public comment, describing limited local indoor court options and saying supervised, volunteer-run programs can keep kids engaged and provide community benefits. The Sierra Soar representatives said they intend to perform labor and improvements themselves in many cases and that they have discussed improvements with Sierra Vista Center volunteers, but acknowledged there was no signed written agreement in place.

The motions passed on voice votes; councilmembers present voted in favor and established the ad hoc committee. The committee will return to council with recommended MOU language and terms before additional city funds beyond the initial donation are allocated.