Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL
SUBMITTED BY: DAISY PEREZ, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
PREPARED BY: DAISY PEREZ, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION AFFIRMING CITY VALUES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF LEGAL DEFENSE AND BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE FUNDS
SUMMARY
On October 21, 2025, the City Council voted 3–2 directing staff to return with an item for Council consideration to adopt a resolution affirming the City’s values regarding immigration enforcement, establish a Legal Defense Fund in the amount of $100,000, and establish a Basic Needs Assistance Fund in the amount of $100,000. This report provides the requested resolution and framework to implement these efforts, including authorization for the City Manager to execute agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations and approval of a Fiscal Year 2025-26 General Fund appropriation adjustment to fund both programs.
PROPOSED MOTION
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-XXX.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON AFFIRMING THE CITY’S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUSIVITY, AND TRANSPARENCY IN RESPONSE TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES Approve creation of a new Legal Defense Fund and new Basic Needs Assistance Fund to support Immigration Assistance programs administered by qualified local nonprofit organizations; and approve budget appropriations of $100,000 for the Legal Defense Fund and $100,000 for the Basic Needs Assistance Fund from available General Fund reserves (Fund 10) to support these programs. Authorize the City Manager to execute agreements and all necessary documents, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Provide alternative direction regarding funding amounts or administrative structure.
Take no action and continue providing informational resources through the City’s website and Police Department.
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Public Safety
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this item would authorize a budget appropriation of $200,000 from available General Fund reserves to support the new Legal Defense Fund ($100,000) and new Basic Needs Assistance Fund ($100,000). The adjustment would reallocate available reserves to support the establishment of two new community assistance programs in which the City would work with qualified nonprofit organizations to implement the programs.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
At the October 21, 2025, City Council meeting, staff presented an agenda report titled Response to Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement Options, which summarized regional actions taken by other jurisdictions to support residents affected by federal immigration enforcement activities. That report described how several cities—including Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and Anaheim—had adopted resolutions affirming community values, established legal defense programs, and allocated local funds to assist residents impacted by enforcement.
Following discussion, the City Council voted 3–2 to direct staff to prepare a resolution affirming the City’s values related to public safety, inclusivity, and transparency, and to bring forward an item establishing two locally funded programs—one for legal assistance and one for basic needs support.
The proposed Legal Defense Fund would allocate $100,000 from the General Fund to support partnerships with qualified nonprofit legal aid organizations that provide representation, counseling, and education to residents impacted by immigration enforcement. In keeping with the City Manager’s existing contracting authority, agreements would be executed with one or more established providers—such as the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Public Law Center, or comparable organizations—subject to City Attorney approval as to form.
The proposed Basic Needs Assistance Fund would allocate $100,000 to support emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, food, and other essential household needs. This program would be administered through partnerships with local or regional nonprofit organizations already serving affected families. Potential partners could include non-profit organizations providing neighborhood-based programs focused on family assistance programs, or other qualified nonprofits with similar capacity.
Staff seeks direction from the City Council regarding which nonprofit organizations to engage for each program and the preferred process for allocating the approved funds. This guidance will help ensure that the implementation aligns with the City Council’s priorities and community objectives.
If this item is approved, the City Manager would proceed with executing agreements, within his existing signing authority and in a form approved by the City Attorney, and staff would work with selected organizations to allocate the funds to implement the proposed programs.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft Resolution
cc: Interim City Manager Eddie Manfro
Resolution and Establishment of Legal Defense and Basic Needs Funds November 4, 2025 - Page PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2