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Ward 1 councilmembers press staff on Driven Elite lease and community center access
Summary
Council members questioned Leisure Services and contract terms after constituents said they cannot access the Gaston Hughes facility when an outside operator (Driven Elite Mississippi LLC) runs programs; staff reported a lease of $715.46/month covering utilities and a two‑year term through 03/31/2027 and agreed to provide ownership records and contract details.
Council members pressed Leisure Services and city staff about the lease allowing Driven Elite Mississippi LLC to operate programs at Gaston Hughes Recreation Center and the Nineteenth Street Community Center. Ward 1 representatives said constituents report being required to pay to use indoor facilities, leaving residents without dry space during inclement weather.
Leisure Services Director (Mister Wells) described the arrangement: Driven Elite runs exercise and youth programs and offers scholarships to some participants. "We just redid that lease a couple of months ago," Wells said, and confirmed Boys & Girls Club activity at the Nineteenth Street center serving roughly 80–100 children a day. When asked about community benefit, Wells noted scholarship availability but said he did not have enrollment or price figures immediately available.
City staff later located contract terms and reported the amount approved by the governing authority is $715.46 per month, which covers utilities — electricity, water, sewer and gas — and the building. The lease term shown in the document runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2027 (two years). Staff said the company is listed in state records as Driven Elite Mississippi LLC and offered to provide printed ownership records to councilmembers.
Councilmembers asked for follow‑up: a staff review of scholarship access and enrollment numbers, explicit information on whether residents of specific wards are being excluded, and consideration of a special meeting or agenda item should further contract review be necessary. The mayor and staff suggested individual council followups and a possible special meeting for detailed contract review rather than handling extensive contract questions during the consent agenda.
Next steps: staff to provide contract copies, ownership records from the Secretary of State filing, and to follow up on scholarship and enrollment data requested by multiple councilmembers.
