San Bernardino Mayor Approved Nonprofit Lease Agreement
Mayor Helen Tran broke a City Council deadlock to authorize a three-year lease for the Akoma Unity Center.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in People
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San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran has approved a new three-year lease for the Akoma Unity Center at the Anne Shirrells Community Center. The decision followed a mayoral veto of a council motion to table the agreement and a subsequent tie-breaking vote.
Why it matters
The multiyear lease provides Akoma, a provider of after-school and community programming, the long-term site control necessary to pursue competitive grant funding. City officials expect the agreement to generate significant revenue for the municipality while stabilizing the center's operations.
The city projects the lease will generate $127,440 in total revenue, with rent starting at $2,000 per month and increasing by 10% annually. This replaces a previous month-to-month agreement that cost the nonprofit $1,088 per month.
The players
Helen Tran
She serves as the Mayor of San Bernardino and utilized her veto power to advance the lease agreement.
Akoma Unity Center
This nonprofit organization provides after-school and community programming for San Bernardino residents.
San Bernardino City Council
This local governing body is responsible for voting on municipal contracts and property agreements.
The details
The lease agreement requires the nonprofit to manage all facility utilities, maintenance, insurance, and janitorial services. The city first began partnering with the organization in 2016, and the current contract includes two optional one-year extensions.
Timeline
The city first approved agreements with the organization in 2016.
Council members authorized staff to negotiate the lease renewal in April 2026.
The City Council voted on the lease agreement on September 16, 2026.
The approved three-year lease is set to expire on June 30, 2029.
Optional one-year extensions could extend the lease through June 30, 2031.
Market Landscape
The mayoral intervention follows the City of San Bernardino municipal property leasing standards. This move represents a departure from standard council procedure by overriding a legislative motion to table the item.
Residents can expect the Akoma Unity Center to continue its after-school and community programming at the 1367 N. California St. location. The stable multiyear lease ensures the facility remains open for local families through at least June 2029.
The takeaway
This lease transition underscores the importance of long-term site security for nonprofits seeking to grow their operational capacity through external funding. Organizations looking to stabilize their own service delivery should prioritize multiyear agreements to meet grant eligibility requirements.
Further reading
Learn more about local administrative updates in the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inland Empire Community News.
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Should city councils prioritize long-term leases for local nonprofits over potential concerns of administrative transparency?
