REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BRIAN BARR, Director
General Services Department
BY: CRYSTAL SILVA, Senior Management Analyst
Homeless Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to a Lease Agreement between the City of Fresno and Elevate Community Services, Inc. (District 3):
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
2. Approve a Lease Agreement between the City of Fresno and Elevate Community Services, Inc., a California non-profit corporation, for $0 to lease the Ambassador Inn located at 1804 W Olive Avenue (APN 449-231-11) for a one-year term commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council to 1) adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and 2) approve a Lease Agreement between the City of Fresno and Elevate Community Services, Inc., a California non-profit corporation, for $0 to lease the Ambassador Inn located at 1804 W Olive Avenue (APN 449-231-11) for a one-year term commencing July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 13, 2025, Council approved a Service Agreement with Elevate Community Services, Inc. (Elevate) to operate the Ambassador Inn as a 53-bed emergency shelter and triage center. The City and Elevate now desire to transition the Service Agreement to a Lease Agreement without any change to the use of the property as an emergency shelter and triage center for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The Lease Agreement is necessary for Elevate to demonstrate control of the property and secure funding through the County of Fresno Department of Behavior Health for shelter operations.
As part of...
Click here for full text