Calistoga council offers Monhoff Center to Boys & Girls Club at $1 per year, splits utilities

The Calistoga City Council on April 30 adopted terms for the Boys & Girls Club’s continued use of the Monhoff Center, offering a license at $1 per year but changing the allocation of utility and maintenance responsibilities.

Council discussion followed a staff report that traced prior agreements with the club back to 2002, noted the building was vacated after rain damage in 2014 and reoccupied in 2017, and described a staff proposal that would have required the club to assume utilities and some maintenance costs. City staff said the proposed changes aimed to standardize agreements, ensure insurance coverage and fiscal transparency for city‑owned assets.

Boys & Girls Club leaders and community members urged the council to preserve the long‑standing support for the teen center. Steve Martin, director of resource development for the Boys & Girls Club of St. Helena and Calistoga, said the original 2004 agreement placed utility responsibility with the city and reminded councilors the club provides free programming and significant local youth services. Several council members noted the club’s retreats, college trips and mental‑health programming had measurable community benefit.

Councilmembers debated alternatives. A motion to continue the annual $40,000 subsidy while shifting all utilities to the club failed on a split roll call. The council ultimately approved a compromise motion: the city will license Monhoff Center to the Boys & Girls Club for $1 per year, utilities will be split between the city and the club, the club will be responsible for minor interior maintenance and the city will remain responsible for major repairs and for public exterior elements such as the public restrooms and certain lights. The motion passed by majority roll call vote.

Councilmembers asked the club to provide periodic reporting on program outcomes and finances. The decision preserves rent‑free occupancy but requires a clearer written agreement defining who pays for what going forward.

The council directed staff to draft the formal license and professional services agreements reflecting the terms the council adopted and return them for final approval.

The motion was adopted by roll call at the meeting; the council recorded the vote in the minutes.

Calistoga provided the Monhoff Center and a $40,000 annual contribution to the Boys & Girls Club in recent years; under the new direction the ongoing subsidy will be reconsidered during budget discussions and the written license will clarify maintenance, utilities and reporting expectations.