Maybe instead of mulch, heavy-duty plastic and some gravel? I know plastic is icky but...it would keep the grass from growing, and you could use the gravel for decorative purposes later, maybe.

Or can you buy/get leaf mulch from the city? Like - yard waste? Or borrow a friend's mower that does the mulch thing and mulch fallen leaves?

Can't help you on the soil - we have Missouri dirt, which is basically clay-y dirt and rocks. Lots of rocks. I mostly don't do any gardening at all.