ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jennifer M. Byers, Economic & Community Development Director DATE: March 17, 2026
SUBJECT: Termination of Agreements with Circle of Life Development Foundation (COLDF)
1. 2025-114 ($ $215,058.14) to implement the Community Engagement Plan
2. 2025-116 ($719,878.50) to implement the MLK Community Garden Initiative
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend termination of the agreements.
BACKGROUND:
On March 10, 2025, the city entered into Grant Agreement SGC23129 with the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) which established the City as Lead Grantee for the Transformative Climate Communities grant funds. The program serves to implement a series of community-driven projects in Southeast Bakersfield aiming to create a unified vision for environmental, economic, and social resilience. The $22.125 million investment will support eight (8) integrated projects focused on improving air quality, increasing mobility options, expanding affordable housing, and creating green spaces, while advancing economic opportunity. COLDF served as one of 16 implementation project partners.
On July 9,2025, the city entered into Agreement 2025-114 with COLDF in the amount of $217,844.14 dollars to implement the Community Engagement Plan. Additionally, the city entered into Agreement 2025-116 with COLDF in the amount of $728,904 dollars to implement the MLK CommUNITY Garden Initiatives.
In January of 2026, COLDF requested an extended period away from Community Engagement Plan and MLK CommUNITY Garden program implementation. Time away from program implementation would impact timelines like one (1) year readiness requirements set by SGC. After conversation with COLDF and city staff, COLDF has decided to forfeit the remainder of funds, $215,058.14 for Agreement 2025- 114 and $719,878.50 for Agreement 2025-116. Therefore, staff requests that City Council terminate Agreements 2025-114 and 2025-116. Section 4 of the Agreements provided that the city reserves the right to terminate the agreement upon giving subrecipient notice of intention to terminate at least thirty days prior to the effective date of the termination. Formal notice was sent March 02, 2026.
As an SGC funded program, the funding is already obligated to the Community Engagement Plan and MLK CommUNITY Garden initiatives. After discussion with state project officers, this funding will go to another vendor to perform the same scopes of work. Terminated funds would therefore be reprogrammed to another eligible vendor. If approved, the city will enter into an agreement with a vendor already familiar with the Community Engagement Plan and MLK CommUNITY Garden initiatives.
This vendor has strong ties to Southeast Bakersfield and plans to build on existing relationships with community members and implementation parters.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact: this program is grant funded through Strategic Growth Council Transformative Climate Communities Grant.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Termination Notice Letter
2. Agreement 2025-114
3. Agreement 2025-116