ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 9, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jennifer M. Byers, Economic and Community Development Director DATE: July 1, 2025
SUBJECT: Agreement with Circle of Life Development Foundation (not to exceed $728,904) for MLK Community Garden Initiative
(Ward 2)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the agreement.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the City of Bakersfield applied for a Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC). In partnership with local organizations and the community, the Southeast Strong initiative was created. It con sists of projects and programs focused in Southeast Bakersfield, an area of the City with some of the most disadvantaged census tracts in the State of California as determined by CalEnviroScreen 4.0. This initiative is aimed at making capital improvements within the area to address underinvestment and to bring new opportunities to southeast residents. Proposed improvements include new affordable housing, urban greening, bicycle and pedestrian transportation improvements, energy efficiency improvements for low-income homeowners, and support programs.
On March 10, 2025, the City entered into Agreement No. SGC23129 with SGC for the TCC grant in the amount of $22,125,000 for the Southeast Strong initiative. Funds will be used to support multiple revitalization projects and programs for Southeast Bakersfield.
This MLK CommUNITY Garden Initiative, led by the MLK CommUNITY Initiative, will transform a City - owned vacant lot in an area designated as a food desert into a green space. Using organic practices, the garden will provide access to locally grown, culturally relevant vegetables, fruits and herbs otherwise not easily affordable, available, or accessible to the underserved residents of Southeast Bakersfield. The agreement would award MLK CommUNITY Garden $728,904.00 in TCC funds.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact on the General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Economic Opportunity for All
Community Character & Quality of Life
Reliable Infrastructure
WARD: 2
ATTACHMENT:
Agreement