AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 PM
No items to highlight.
REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 PM
RESOLUTIONS
Items 7.d. 1 Establishing Proposition 47 Local Advisory Committee (All Wards ) In October 2024, the Community Vitality Unit received a $1,999,374 Proposition 47 Grant from California’s Board of State and Community Corrections to fund mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and diversion programs for individuals in the criminal justice system. As part of the grant requirements, the City must establish a Proposition 47 Local Advisory Committee (LAC), which will consist of a diverse group of stakeholders with relevant experience. The City will utilize members from the Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC) Executive Board and Brundage Lane Navigation Center (BLNC) Referral Network, alongside three community members selected through an open recruitment process.
The LAC will advise City staff on the grant’s implementation, providin g input on challenges, service delivery, and recommendations to maximize its impact. However, the LAC will only serve in an advisory role and has no decision-making authority. The establishment of the LAC will not affect the City’s General Fund, as the grant covers the associated costs.
AGREEMENTS
Items 7.e.1 Intensive Case Management Services (All Wards) In October 2024, the City of Bakersfield received a $1,999,374 grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections to address homelessness through mental health, substance use treatment, and diversion programs. The funding, managed by the Co mmunity Vitality Unit, aims to support justice -impacted individuals and those experiencing chronic homelessness. As part of this initiative, the City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Intensive Case Management services on October 7, 2024. The City selected two service providers: Psychiatric Wellness Center (PWC) and Garden Pathways Inc. PWC was awarded $858,750 to offer intensive case management with three full -time case managers working with 15 clients each, providing up to 12 months of support and after -care. Garden Pathways Inc. was awarded $831,300 to provide two full -time case managers for up to 35 parolees, plus a part -time case manager for lower - need individuals, offering up to 12 months of active support and 12 months of follow -up. State grant funds will be allocated to support these programs and will not impact the City’s General Fund.
PUBLIC SAFETY/VITAL SERVICES MEASURE
Item 7.i.2 Transfer of Public Safety and Vital Services Affordable Housing Funds (All Wards) On July 14, 2021, the City Council approved Resolution 124 -2021, establishing the Bakersfield Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to assist in the development of affordable housing to meet the needs of the City’s very low, low, and moderate-income households. The City Council intended that the AHTF would be funded by Public Safety Vital Services (PSVS) Measure N funds to match or to leverage other public or private sources. To continue required grant matches and leveraging, the Economic and Community Development Department requests to transfer $5,000,000 of fiscal year 2023-2024 and $3,000,000 of fiscal year 2024-2025 budgeted PSVS affordable housing funds to the AHTF. There is no fiscal impact to the general fund.
DEFERRED BUSINESS
Item 11.a Hope to Home Down Payment Assistance Program (All Wards) On January 8, 2025, staff proposed Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. 2020 -255, which would extend the agreement term to March 1, 2027, increase grant funding to $770,000 for down payment assistance to 18 households, and raise the maximum home purchase price to $385,700. Councilmember Bob Smith requested further discussion on the increased purchase price, leading the Council to defer the item. After reviewing relevant HUD guidelines, staff found that while the City previously used HUD’s published limits, the 2023 limit did not reflect the local market. As a result, they propose using 95% of the median home purchase price, which results in a limit of $385,700. Staff recommends using the HUD-published limit of $371,000, as it reflects available homes in the area. The amendment would have no impact on the general fund, as funds are already budgeted in the FY 24-25 HUD Action Plan.
Prepared by: Jaritza Nunez, Management Fellow CC: Department Heads Kayla Hickey, Management Fellow City Manager’s File City Clerk’s File
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