TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Doug Hewett, City Manager
FROM: Jeffrey Yates, Assistant City Manager
John Jones, Office of Community Safety Director
Jessica Legette, Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Assistant Director
DATE: October 27, 2025
RE:Title
Administrative Report Concerning Massey Hill Recreation Afterschool Programming
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
District 2
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: Safe and Secure Community
Goal II: Diverse and Viable Economy
Goal IV: Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate
Executive Summary:
During the September 2 work session, Councilmembers Davis and Benevente requested that staff conduct research and provide recommendations regarding potential afterschool programming at the Massey Hill Recreation Center, with a particular focus on serving students from Howard Learning Academy.
Additionally, the Councilmembers requested information on the annual cost to taxpayers for incarcerating a single youth.
Background:
The original Councilmember request included the following directives:
1. Research and Recommendations: Direct staff to research and provide detailed recommendations, including pros and cons, on how the City of Fayetteville can advance its municipal priority of addressing juvenile crime through afterschool programming at the Massey Hill Recreation Center. The goal is to create a positive impact on students attending Howard Learning Academy.
2. Cost Analysis: Calculate the annual cost to taxpayers of incarcerating a single youth-estimated at approximately $112,555-and compare this with the $4,000-$5,000 annual cost to serve one child in a high-quality afterschool program.
To accomplish these objectives, the request further directed staff to:
1. Review national materials from the November 17, 2023, National League of Cities seminar in Atlanta, "Furthering Municipal Priorities Through Afterschool Programs."
2. Examine case studies, inclu...
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