Finance committee backs forwarding 20-year First Tee sublease to council

The Salinas Finance Committee on May 12 voted to forward to full council a staff recommendation to enter a long-term sublease with youth nonprofit First Tee for Twin Creeks Golf Course.

Nathan Q, deputy director of economic development, told the committee the proposed agreement would run 20 years starting July 1, 2026, with a one-time 10-year extension option. He said the arrangement calls for an annual rent of about $60,000 through Nov. 1, 2026, and "then afterwards in phase 2, a reduction to a nominal rent of $1 per year during the remainder of the term." He added the rent would be prorated for the first year and estimated that prorated amount at about $20,000 to align with the city's final bond payment on the facility.

Why it matters: City staff framed the sublease as a way to preserve city-owned parkland, remove the remaining debt tied to the facility and sustain a long-running youth program. "We view this as an economic development and a workforce development opportunity," Nathan said, while noting the agreement includes accountability measures and annual reporting requirements.

First Tee, which has operated programming at the site since 2004, told the committee it serves thousands of youth countywide and emphasizes life skills as well as sport instruction. Nick Nelson, representing First Tee in Salinas, said the chapter serves about 13,000 youth annually (2025 data) and has cumulatively reached roughly 137,000 young people since 2004. He also described a scholarship program that partners with California State University Monterey Bay to support first-generation college students.

Program safeguards: Under the staff presentation, First Tee must deliver an annual report in September and meet performance thresholds, including a stated goal that at least 80% of youth-program participants be Salinas residents across programs. City staff also highlighted that eliminating the facility's debt—cited as a remaining bond payment due Nov. 1—was a key fiscal rationale for the reduced rent structure.

Public reaction: Local residents who spoke during public comment urged the committee to approve the recommendation and asked whether program access is broadly available. Committee members pressed First Tee on membership cost and expansion plans; First Tee representatives said school-based participation is provided at no cost and that scholarships are available for families in need.

Vote and next step: Councilmember D'Arrigo moved to approve the finance committee recommendation to forward the sublease item to full council; the committee voted unanimously to move the item to council for final consideration.

What happens next: The finance committee forwarded the recommendation; the full Salinas City Council will consider the sublease and any implementing documents at a future meeting.