ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 23, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreement TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jennifer M. Byers, Economic and Community Development Director DATE: July 2, 2025
SUBJECT: Agreement with Ventura County Community Development Corporation (not to exceed $103,559.60) for Displacement Avoidance Plan.
(Ward 1, 2, 3)
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 consists 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.
The Southeast Strong Displacement Avoidance Plan (DAP) will tie proposed programs and projects with residents to create a synergy around investing in the TCC focus area. The City will partner with four agencies to execute the DAP. Cohesively, the partners in the DAP will facilitate meaningful dialogue and connection with residents to ensure programs and projects impact the livelihood of residents in the focus area. The agreement would award Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) $103,559.60 in TCC funds for the DAP.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact on the General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Economic Opportunity for All
Community Character & Quality of Life
Reliable Infrastructure
WARDS: 1,2 and 3
ATTACHMENTS
Agreement