IBUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
AGENDA REPORT
For meeting of: June 2, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
VIA: Matthew Chidester, City Manager
FROM: Julissa Acosta, Interim Economic & Community Vitality Manager TITLE: COMMUNITY SERVICES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
______________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION:
1) Receive a subcommittee update on the Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) grant program and provide guidance to staff on grant awards and amounts for FY 2026-27. 2) Adopt a resolution authorizing City Manager to execute grant agreements with recipients of the Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) grant based on guidance provided.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Any funding allocations will be included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recommended Budget.
STRATEGIC ELEMENT:
This action supports all Elements of the Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) grant program was established in 2018 to provide support to local nonprofit organizations delivering a wide range ofservices. Initially serving 15 organizations with awards of up to $15,000, the program focused on key service areas including education, cultural programming, animal services, homelessness and housing, services for older adults, food security, and dental care. During this initial phase, the program lacked subcommittee support and funding allocations were decided in real time during Council meetings.
In response to demonstrated community need and the program’s early success and challenges, City Council created a subcommittee and expanded CSFA funding in subsequent fiscal years, reaching $300,000 beginning in FY 2022–23. Council also refined the program’s strategic focus by prioritizing deeper service impacts among a smaller group of providers. Individual grant awards increased to a maximum of $50,000 and were designated specifically for programs delivering critical safety net services to Half Moon Bay residents, particularly those affected by the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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To further strengthen program outcomes, staff introduced a cohort-based model in FY 2022–23.
This framework requires grantees to participate in quarterly convenings and receive technical assistance focused on shared goals and collective problem solving. This model was informed by recommendations from the Coastside Recovery Initiative (CRI), which emphasized the need to improve coordination among service providers and expand capacity to connect vulnerable residents with supportive services. Additionally, the collaborative foundation created through the cohort model has supported broader funding and partnership opportunities, including a joint Measure K application, successful grant funding for the allcove youth program, and increased coordination among organizations serving overlapping populations.
As community conditions continue to evolve, the importance of maintaining strong collaboration among safety net providers has become increasingly clear. Unexpected challengeslike severe winter storms, the 2023 mass shooting, reductions in external funding sources, rising costs of living, and recent immigration threats have required organizations to adapt quickly and coordinate responses in real time. These shifting conditions continue to impact vulnerable residents in complex and interconnected ways, underscoring the need for a resilient and collaborative network capable of responding to emerging needs while sustaining ongoing service delivery. Through the relationships and trust established within the CSFA cohort, organizations have been better positioned to share information, coordinate outreach efforts, streamline referrals, identify service gaps, and collectively respond to rapidly changing community challenges.
During FY 2024–25, Council approved a two-year funding cycle, dependent upon available funding, intended to provide sufficient time for the cohort to accomplish group goals supported by the technical assistance, improve funding stability, and enhance the effectiveness of coordinated service delivery. The pilot 2-year funding cycle has allowed organizations to continue delivering programs and services without having to pause during annual funding review and application processes while also focusing on intentional long-term planning.
DISCUSSION:
CSFA-funded organizations continue to provide a comprehensive range of safety net services, including housing support, food assistance, childcare, financial assistance, mental health services, transportation, and healthcare access. These services remain critical to supporting vulnerable residents and addressing the constantly changing community needs as noted in the midyear reports for FY 2025-26. Additionally, quarterly cohort meetings facilitated by staff create opportunities for grantees to share community needs based on current challenges.
For FY 2026-27 the City Council CSFA subcommittee recommends continuation of the CSFA program funding the current grantees based on the ongoing community challenges, with the option to extend to a two-year contract for FY 2027-28, contingent on available funding. It should be noted that the total funding level to be offered remains unclear at this time and will be determined based on one of the options provided below. Allocations would be determined by the City Council based on the funding options presented below and made exclusively available to organizations and programs providing essential safety net services to the residents of Half Moon Bay. 171
The subcommittee also recommends continuation of the cohort model applied during the last funding cycles. The purpose of the cohort is to encourage an integrated and collaborative approach among safety net providers, discuss challenges, and exchange best practices in a supportive peer learning environment. Staff will continue to provide technical assistance and rely on the cohort’s collective expertise to help identify organizational and community needs and will further encourage collaboration.
Funding Options
Option A
Continue funding CSFA at $300,000
Grantee Program A
Abundant Grace Workforce Development Center - Community Programs & Services $30,000
ALAS Mental Health Services $35,000
Boys & Girls Club of the
Coastside
After school support & Out of school time -
Cohort Development $30,000
CoastPride Health & Wellness $10,000
Coastside Adult Day
Health Center
Aging in Place $20,000
Coastside Hope Critical Family Needs Safety Net Program $50,000 El Centro de Libertad
El Centro Coastside Essential Services Initiative
(MH & Substance Use) $20,000
Senior Coastsiders Promoting successful aging for Coastside Seniors $50,000
Sonrisas Dental
Access to Care: Equitable Access to Oral Health
Care $25,000
Cohort Support Technical Assistance $30,000
Total CSFA $300,000
Option B
Provide funding at $250,000
Grantee Program B
Abundant Grace Workforce Development Center - Community Programs & Services $25,000
ALAS Mental Health Services $29,167
Boys & Girls Club of the
Coastside
After school support & Out of school time -
Cohort Development $25,000
CoastPride Health & Wellness $8,333
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Coastside Adult Day
Health Center
Aging in Place $16,667
Coastside Hope Critical Family Needs Safety Net Program $41,667 El Centro de Libertad
El Centro Coastside Essential Services Initiative
(MH & Substance Use) $16,667
Senior Coastsiders Promoting successful aging for Coastside Seniors $41,667
Sonrisas Dental
Access to Care: Equitable Access to Oral Health
Care $20,833
Cohort Support Technical Assistance $25,000
Total CSFA $250,000
Option B would include a follow-up in February 2027 to determine if additional funding can be allocated.
Staff seek direction on grant allocation amounts for FY 2026-27, and then will include appropriate funding in the budget before working with each recipient on updated grant agreements.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HALF MOON BAY AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE GRANT AGREEMENTS FOR THE FY 2026-27 COMMUNITY
SERVICES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (CSFA) PROGRAM BASED ON GUIDANCE PROVIDED WHEREAS, in FY 2018–19, the City of Half Moon Bay established the Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) Grant Program to support local nonprofit organizations providing critical services to Coastside residents; and
WHEREAS, over subsequent years, the City Council adopted strategic improvements to the program, including the creation of a dedicated subcommittee, implementation of a collaborative cohort model, and increases in funding to strengthen the local nonprofit safety net system; and
WHEREAS, the Coastside Recovery Initiative identified access to safety net services, including food security, housing stabilization, healthcare access, and services for seniors and youth as a key community priority and a cohort model that brings grantee organizations together for collaboration and technical assistance, strengthening coordination and improving the collective response to community needs; and
WHEREAS, for FY 2024–25, the City Council approved a two-year funding cycle, contingent upon available funding, intended to reduce administrative burden, improve funding stability, and enhance the effectiveness of coordinated service delivery among nonprofit partners; and
WHEREAS, the two-year funding cycle has enabled organizations to continue delivering programs and services without interruption, eliminating the need to pause operations during annual funding review and application processes; and
WHEREAS, the CSFA cohort model has fostered an integrated and collaborative approach among nonprofit safety net providers by creating opportunities to discuss shared challenges, exchange best practices, and participate in peer learning and technical assistance activities; and WHEREAS, safety net services including housing assistance, shelter, food security, childcare, financial assistance, mental health services, healthcare, dental care, senior services, and transportation assistance remain essential needs within the community; and WHEREAS, currently funded organizations that provide safety net services will continue to be funded through the CSFA program for FY 2026-27 with a two-year funding cycle, contingent on available funding.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Half Moon Bay authorizes the City Manager to execute grant agreements for FY 2026–27 Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) based on guidance provided. ***************************************************************** I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed and adopted on the 2nd day of June 2026, by the City Council of Half Moon Bay by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________________ _____________________________ Maggie Rodriguez, Interim City Clerk Debbie Ruddock, Mayor 175
BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
AGENDA REPORT
For meeting of: June 2, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
VIA: Matthew Chidester, City Manager
FROM: Irma Acosta, Interim Management Analyst
TITLE: RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
______________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution establishing a Rental Assistance Program and authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Coastside Hope for program administration services, at a cost not to exceed $120,000, for a term of one year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Affordable Housing Fund is proposed as the funding source for the Rental Assistance Program. To fund the program, staff recommend a budget of $120,000 for FY 2026-27 to launch this program, allocating up to $100,000 for rental assistance and $20,000 for administrative costs.
STRATEGIC ELEMENTS:
This action supports the Healthy Communities and Public Safety, and Inclusive Governance Elements of the Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On April 21, 2026, the City Council discussed potential tenant support strategies following Council direction to repeal the Residential Rent Stabilization and Rental Registry programs.
During that discussion, Council expressed interest in exploring service-based approaches intended to support residents experiencing housing instability, including rental assistance and legal support services. Council directed staff to continue evaluating potential program structures, implementation strategies, and partnership opportunities with community-based organizations providing housing related services within the community.
Following Council direction, staff met with Coastside Hope, the Core Services Agency serving Half Moon Bay, to discuss current housing stability needs within the community, existing rental assistance programs, operational capacity, and opportunities for partnership. Staff also 176
reviewed emergency rental assistance models implemented by neighboring jurisdictions, including the City of San Mateo’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program administered by Samaritan House. Similar to the City of San Mateo model, staff explored a nonprofit administered structure that minimizes direct City administration while leveraging an established community-based organization with experience providing housing stabilization services.
Based on discussions and a review of neighboring jurisdiction models, staff is proposing the development of a City funded Rental Assistance Program administered through a partnership with Coastside Hope. The proposed program is intended to provide short-term financial assistance and housing stabilization support to eligible households experiencing temporary financial hardship or housing instability.
DISCUSSION:
Through discussions with Coastside Hope, staff learned that housing instability within the community is frequently driven by short term financial emergencies and unforeseen circumstances such as sudden rent increases, medical emergencies, loss of employment or income, family disruptions, and other unexpected housing-related expenses. Coastside Hope described its existing rental assistance as emergency or critical need programs intended to provide temporary stabilization during periods of financial hardship rather than ongoing rental subsidy assistance.
The proposed Rental Assistance Program would function as a short-term housing stabilization program intended to assist eligible households experiencing temporary financial hardship or housing instability. The purpose of the program would be to help residents maintain or secure housing during periods of financial hardship while also connecting households with supportive services and case management resources. Based on prior rental assistance data, Coastside Hope estimates that approximately $100,000 in direct assistance funding could serve between 50 and 76 households, depending on rental costs, household size, and level of assistance required. Coastside Hope noted that rental costs have increased significantly since the City’s prior rental assistance efforts in 2010, reducing the overall reach of available funding.
The proposed program would allow funding to be used for rent, utility, or security deposit assistance, and other housing stabilization related expenses approved on a case-by-case basis.
This funding would function as short-term emergency stabilization support rather than ongoing rental subsidy assistance. Households may receive up to three months of City funded assistance per fiscal year, subject to available funding and program guidelines. A significant topic discussed during stakeholder meetings was the importance of maintaining flexibility within the program 177
structure. Coastside Hope currently administers multiple rental assistance funding sources, each with different eligibility requirements and restrictions. Some funding sources require formal lease agreements, Social Security numbers, or strict income documentation, while other households may have informal housing arrangements or documentation limitations that prevent them from qualifying for traditional assistance programs. As a result, staff is proposing a program structure that would allow City funding to function both as a flexible gap-filling resource for households unable to access more restrictive funding sources and as a broader rental assistance program addressing critical housing stability situations.
To administer rental assistance programs, Coastside Hope currently utilizes an established intake and verification process designed to assess household need, verify financial hardship, and determine eligibility across multiple funding sources. Applicants would be required to live in the City of Half Moon Bay, demonstrate financial hardship or housing instability, and participate in the intake and eligibility review process administered by Coastside Hope. Household income would generally be limited to households at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI), unless otherwise approved under a gap filling or emergency assistance exception.
The proposed program guidelines (Attachment A) include income limits based on household size utilizing San Mateo County AMI limits (Table 1). Household income would be determined based on the income of all adult household members and may include wages, self-employment income, public assistance, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, child support, or other household income sources. As part of the intake and eligibility review process, applicants may be asked to provide documentation related to household identification, income, housing status, and financial need. Documentation may include identification for household members, proof of income, bank statements, lease agreements or alternative housing verification, notices related to delinquent rent or eviction proceedings, utility bills, tax documentation, and landlord verification forms.
Table 1:
Size of Family or Number in
Household
Monthly Gross Income Annual Gross Income
1 $6,855 $82,260
2 $7,835 $94,020
3 $8,815 $105,780
4 $9,790 $117,480
5 $10,575 $126,900
6 $11,360 $136,320
7 $12,140 $145,680
8 $12,925 $155,100
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Coastside Hope emphasized that these document requirements are intended to provide a consistent intake framework while still allowing flexibility for households with nontraditional living situations or limited documentation. Applicants would not automatically be disqualified if they are unable to provide every requested document. Coastside Hope staff would work directly with applicants to identify alternative forms of verification and determine the most appropriate funding source or assistance pathway available.
The program is intended to maintain reasonable accountability standards while ensuring that residents experiencing legitimate housing instability can access available assistance whenever possible. However, a significant portion of the application timeline depends on applicants submitting the required documentation in a timely manner, and delays in processing often occur when documents are incomplete or not provided promptly. In cases involving medical hardship or other special circumstances, supporting documentation would still be required to demonstrate need and determine eligibility for assistance. The application process would require applicants to complete an intake with Coastside Hope and provide available supporting documentation. During intake, applicants may meet with Coastside Hope staff for eligibility review and case management assessment. Staff may assist applicants with gathering documentation, completing application materials, and identifying additional supportive services or community resources. Coastside Hope staff would determine the most appropriate funding source based on the household circumstances, eligibility requirements, and available program funding. As part of the program, Coastside Hope could also provide case management and supportive services intended to improve long term housing stability. These services may include budget counseling, financial coaching, referrals to supportive services and housing navigation assistance.
Payments made through the Rental Assistance Program would be issued directly to landlords, property managers, or utility providers rather than directly to applicants. Applicants would also be required to disclose whether they are currently receiving or have applied for rental assistance or housing-related financial assistance from another source. While receiving assistance from another source would not automatically disqualify an applicant, duplicate payment for the same expense will not be permitted. Coastside Hope would coordinate available funding sources to ensure assistance is not duplicated.
Staff is also proposing that Coastside Hope serve as the administrator of the Rental Assistance Program and be responsible for intake and eligibility review, distribution of funds, verification of applicant documentation, referrals to supportive services, and submissions of periodic program reports to the City. The proposed program would include an end of year report, summarizing households served, assistance distributed, program outcomes, and general service trends or gaps identified through program implementation. Outreach regarding the program would be conducted collaboratively between the City and Coastside Hope through community outreach, printed materials, social media, partner organizations, and bilingual outreach efforts in English and Spanish.
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CONCLUSION
The proposed Rental Assistance Program is intended to provide a service-based housing stabilization strategy that supports residents experiencing temporary financial hardship or housing instability. Through discussions with Coastside Hope and review of neighboring jurisdiction models, staff identified an opportunity to develop a non-profit administered program that provides flexible emergency assistance while minimizing administrative burden on the City. The proposed partnership structure would allow the City to leverage Coastside Hope’s existing experience administering rental assistance and supportive services with the Coastside community. Staff believe that the proposed program structure balances flexibility and accessibility with reasonable accountability measures and provides an opportunity for the City to continue supporting housing stability efforts through a targeted, service-based approach.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution
B. Program Guidelines
C. Draft Funding Agreement
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HALF MOON BAY ESTABLISHING A
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT WITH COASTSIDE HOPE FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SERVICES, AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $120,000, FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR.
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2026, the City Council discussed potential tenant support strategies following Council direction to repeal the Residential Rent Stabilization and Rental Registry programs; and
WHEREAS, during the discussion, the City Council expressed interest in exploring servicebased approaches intended to support residents experiencing housing instability, including rental assistance and legal support services; and
WHEREAS, staff subsequently met with Coastside Hope to discuss housing stability needs within the community, existing rental assistance programs, and opportunities for partnership; and
WHEREAS, staff also reviewed rental assistance models implemented by neighboring jurisdictions including non-profit administered emergency rental assistance programs; and WHEREAS, staff identified an opportunity to establish a Rental Assistance Program administered through a partnership with Coastside Hope to provide short-term financial assistance and housing stabilization support for eligible households experiencing temporary financial hardship or housing instability; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Rental Assistance Program would provide assistance for rent, utilities, security deposits, and other housing stabilization related expenses consistent with adopted program guidelines, which support homelessness prevention; and WHEREAS, Coastside Hope would serve as the program administrator and would be responsible for intake and eligibility review, distribution of assistance funds, verification of applicant documentation, referrals to supportive services and reporting requirements; and WHEREAS, the proposed Rental Assistance Program budget for FY 2026-27 includes up to $100,000 for direct assistance and up to $20,000 for administrative costs, for a total program budget of $120,000. Funding for the program would be provided through the City’s Affordable Housing Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Half Moon Bay hereby establishes a Rental Assistance Program and authorizes the City Manager to execute an agreement with Coastside Hope for program administration services, at a cost not to exceed $120,000, for a term of one year.
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***************************************************************** I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed and adopted on the 2nd day of June 2026, by the City Council of Half Moon Bay by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________________ _____________________________ Maggie Rodriguez, Interim City Clerk Debbie Ruddock, Mayor 182
DRAFT PROGRAM GUIDELINES
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Application
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive rental assistance, applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Live within the City of Half Moon Bay;
• Demonstrate financial hardship or housing instability; • Household income should generally be at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI), unless otherwise approved under a gap-filling or emergency assistance exception;
• Have past-due rent, utility payments, displacement-related expenses, or other qualifying housing-related financial need;
• Participate in the intake and eligibility review process with Coastside Hope; and • Provide documentation necessary to verify household composition, income, housing status, and financial need, where available.
Household income is determined based on the income of all adult household members.
Income may include wages, self-employment income, public assistance, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, or other sources of household income.
Income guidelines may be updated annually based on San Mateo County AMI limits.
Income Guidelines
Size of Family or Number in
Household
Monthly Gross Income Annual Gross Income
1 $6,855 $82,260
2 $7,835 $94,020
3 $8,815 $105,780
4 $9,790 $117,480
5 $10,575 $126,900
6 $11,360 $136,320
7 $12,140 $145,680
8 $12,925 $155,100
San Mateo County Income Limits
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Amount and Type of Assistance
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program may provide assistance for:
• Past due rent;
• Security deposits;
• Utility payments; and/or
• Other housing stabilization-related expenses approved on a case-by-case basis.
Assistance is intended to function as short-term emergency stabilization assistance rather than ongoing subsidy assistance. Households may receive up to three months of assistance per fiscal year, subject to funding availability and program guidelines. Maximum assistance amounts may vary depending on household need, funding availability, and case circumstances. If a household requests additional assistance after previously receiving support, applicants may be required to demonstrate a new or ongoing critical need and participate in additional case management services.
Required Documentation for Applicants
To administer rental assistance programs, Coastside Hope utilizes an intake and verification process designed to assess household need, verify financial hardship, and determine eligibility across multiple funding sources.
Applicants may be asked to provide the following documentation, where available:
Identification
• Photo identification for adult household members;
• Birth certificates for children; and/or
• Social Security cards, if available.
Housing Documentation
• Copy of lease agreement or alternative housing verification; • Notice related to delinquent rent, eviction, or unpaid balance, including:
o 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit;
o Notice of Delinquent Rent;
o Eviction notice; or
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o Written statement from landlord or property manager regarding amount owed.
Income Verification
Examples may include:
• Recent pay stubs;
• CalWORKs documentation;
• SSI or Social Security award letters;
• Unemployment documentation;
• Child support documentation;
• Employment offer or termination letters;
• Self-declaration of income; and/or
• Bank statements for the previous two to three months.
Expense Verification
Examples may include:
• Utility bills;
• Cell phone bills;
• Car insurance payments; and/or
• Other recurring household expenses.
Additional Documentation
Where applicable:
• Current tax documents;
• W-9 completed by landlord or property manager; and/or • Utility account documentation.
Flexible Documentation
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is intended to remain accessible to households with varying living situations and documentation availability. 185
Applicants will not automatically be disqualified if they are unable to provide every requested document. Coastside Hope staff will work directly with applicants to identify alternative forms of verification and determine the most appropriate funding source or assistance pathway available.
Some households may have informal tenancy arrangements, non-traditional housing situations, or limited documentation. The program is intended to maintain reasonable accountability standards while still ensuring that residents experiencing legitimate housing instability can access available assistance whenever possible.
Application Process
Applicants must complete an intake process with Coastside Hope and provide available supporting documentation related to household income, housing status, and financial need.
During the intake process:
• Applicants will meet with Coastside Hope staff for eligibility review and case management assessment;
• Staff may assist applicants with gathering documentation and completing application materials;
• Applicants may be referred to additional supportive services and resources; and • Coastside Hope staff will determine the most appropriate funding source based on household circumstances and available program funding.
Incomplete applications or missing documentation may delay processing timelines.
Applicants will be notified regarding the status of their application following intake review and eligibility determination.
Duplication of Benefits
Applicants must disclose whether they are currently receiving or have applied for rental assistance or housing-related financial assistance from another source.
Receiving assistance from another program does not automatically disqualify an applicant; however, duplicate payment for the same expense is not permitted.
Coastside Hope will coordinate funding sources to ensure assistance is not duplicated. 186
CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
____________________________________
THIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made by and between the City of Half Moon Bay, (“City”) and Coastside Hope, a California nonprofit corporation (“Consultant”), effective as of June 2, 2026.
Section 1. SERVICES. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Consultant shall provide to City the services described in the Scope of Work and Application Guidelines, attached hereto as Exhibit A at the time and place and in the manner specified therein.
In the event of a conflict in or inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and Exhibit A, this Agreement shall prevail.
1.1 Term of Services. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first noted above and shall run until June 30, 2027, or until terminated by either party pursuant to Section 8.
1.2 Standard of Performance. Consultant shall perform all services required pursuant to this Agreement in the manner and according to the standards observed by a competent practitioner of the profession in which Consultant is engaged in the geographical area in which Consultant practices its profession. Consultant shall prepare all work products required by this Agreement in accordance with usual and customary professional and shall conform to the standards of quality normally observed by a person practicing in Consultant's profession.
1.3 Assignment of Personnel. Consultant shall assign only competent personnel to perform services pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that City, in its sole discretion, at any time during the term of this Agreement, desires the reassignment of any such persons, Consultant shall, immediately upon receiving notice from City of such desire of City, reassign such person or persons.
1.4 Time. Consultant shall devote such time to the performance of services pursuant to this Agreement as may be reasonably necessary to meet the standard of performance provided in Section 1.2 above and to satisfy Consultant’s obligations hereunder.
Section 2. COMPENSATION. Exhibit A to this contract contains the Scope of Work and the Fee Schedule. The City shall pay Consultant for services rendered pursuant to the Fee Schedule at the time and in the manner set forth herein. Consultant shall submit all invoices to City in the manner specified herein. Except as specifically authorized by City, Consultant shall not bill City for duplicate services performed by more than one person. 187
Consultant and City acknowledge and agree that compensation paid by City to Consultant under this Agreement is based upon Consultant’s estimated costs of providing the services required hereunder, including salaries and benefits of employees and subcontractors of Consultant.
Consequently, the parties further agree that compensation hereunder is intended to include the costs of contributions to any pensions and/or annuities to which Consultant and its employees, agents, and subcontractors may be eligible. City therefore has no responsibility for such contributions beyond compensation required under this Agreement.
2.1 Invoices. Consultant shall submit invoices, not more often than once a month during the term of this Agreement, based on the cost for services performed prior to the invoice date. Invoices shall contain the following information:
Serial identifications of progress bills; i.e., Progress Bill No. 1 for the first invoice, etc.;
The beginning and ending dates of the billing period; A Task Summary containing for each planning application along with the amount of prior billings, the total due in the current period, and the percentage of completion of processing for the application;
For each application processed, a copy of the applicable time entries or time sheets shall be submitted showing the name of the person doing the work, the hours spent by each person, and a brief description of the work;
The total number of hours of work performed under the Agreement by Consultant and each employee, agent, and subcontractor of Consultant performing services hereunder, as well as a separate notice when the total number of hours of work by Consultant and any individual employee, agent, or subcontractor of Consultant reaches or exceeds 800 hours;
The Consultant’s signature.
2.2 Monthly Payment. City shall make monthly payments, based on invoices received, for services satisfactorily performed. City shall have 30 days from the receipt of an invoice that complies with all of the requirements above to pay Consultant.
2.3 Hourly Fees. Fees for work performed by Consultant on an hourly basis shall not exceed the amounts shown on the Fee Schedule shown in Exhibit A, incorporated herein by this reference.
2.4 Payment of Taxes. Consultant is solely responsible for the payment of employment taxes incurred under this Agreement and any similar federal or state taxes.
2.5 Payment upon Termination. In the event that the City or Consultant terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 8, the City shall compensate the Consultant for all outstanding costs incurred for work satisfactorily completed as of the date of written 188
notice of termination. Consultant shall maintain adequate logs and timesheets in order to verify costs incurred to that date.
2.6 Authorization to Perform Services. The Consultant is not authorized to perform any services or incur any costs whatsoever under the terms of this Agreement until receipt of authorization from the Contract Administrator.
Section 3. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT. Except as set forth herein, Consultant shall, at its sole cost and expense, provide all facilities and equipment that may be necessary to perform the services required by this Agreement.
Section 4. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.
4.1 During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall carry, maintain, and keep in full force and effect insurance against claims for death or injuries to persons or damages to property that may arise from or in connection with Consultant’s performance of this Agreement. Such insurance shall be of the types and in the amounts as set forth below:
Comprehensive General Liability Insurance with coverage limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) including products and operations hazard, contractual insurance, broad form property damage, independent consultants, personal injury, underground hazard, and explosion and collapse hazard where applicable.
Automobile Liability Insurance for vehicles used in connection with the performance of this Agreement with minimum limits of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per claimant and One Million dollars ($1,000,000) per incident. Worker’s Compensation insurance as required by the laws of the State of California.
Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance with coverage limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).
4.2 Consultant shall require each of its subcontractors within their subcontract (in writing) to maintain insurance coverage that meets all of the requirements of this Agreement.
4.3 The policy or policies required by this Agreement shall be issued by an insurer admitted in the State of California and with a rating of at least A: VII in the latest edition of Best’s Insurance Guide.
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4.4. Consultant agrees that if it does not keep the aforesaid insurance in full force and effect, City may either (i) immediately terminate this Agreement; or (ii) take out the necessary insurance and pay, at Consultant’s expense, the premium thereon.
4.5. At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall maintain on file with City’s Finance Manager a certificate or certificates of insurance showing that the aforesaid policies are in effect in the required amounts and naming the City and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional insureds. Consultant shall, prior to commencement of work under this Agreement, file with City’s Risk Manager such certificate(s).
4.6. Consultant shall provide proof that policies of insurance required herein expiring, or cancelled, during the term of this Agreement have been renewed or replaced with other policies providing at least the same coverage. Such proof will be furnished at least two weeks prior to the expiration of the coverages, or immediately for any policy being cancelled.
4.7. The general liability and automobile policies of insurance required by this Agreement shall contain an endorsement naming City and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional insureds. All of the policies required under this Agreement shall contain an endorsement providing that the policies cannot be canceled or reduced except on thirty days’ prior written notice to City.
4.8. The insurance provided by Consultant shall be primary to any coverage available to City. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by City and/or its officers, employees, agents or volunteers, shall be in excess of Consultant’s insurance and shall not contribute with it. .
4.9. All insurance coverage provided pursuant to this Agreement shall not prohibit Consultant, and Consultant’s employees, agents or subcontractors, from waiving the right of subrogation prior to a loss. Consultant hereby waives all rights of subrogation against the City.
4.10. Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. At the option of City, Consultant shall either reduce or eliminate the deductibles or self-insured retentions with respect to City, or Consultant shall procure a bond guaranteeing payment of losses and expenses.
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4.11. Procurement of insurance by Consultant shall not be construed as a limitation of Consultant’s liability or as full performance of Consultant’s duties to indemnify, hold harmless and defend under Section 10 of this Agreement.
Section 5. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONSULTANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES.
Consultant shall hold harmless, defend and indemnify City and its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from and against any and all liability, loss, damage, expense, costs (including without limitation costs and fees of litigation) of every nature arising out of or in connection with Consultant’s performance of work hereunder or its failure to comply with any of its obligations contained in the agreement, except such loss or damage which was caused by the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the City.
The foregoing obligation of Consultant shall not apply when (1) the injury, loss of life, damage to property, or violation of law arises wholly from the negligence or willful misconduct of the City or its officers, employees, agents, or volunteers and (2) the actions of Consultant or its employees, subcontractor, or agents have contributed in no part to the injury, loss of life, damage to property, or violation of law. It is understood that the duty of Consultant to indemnify and hold harmless includes the duty to defend as set forth in Section 2778 of the California Civil Code. Acceptance by City of insurance certificates and endorsements required under this Agreement does not relieve Consultant from liability under this indemnification and hold harmless clause. By execution of this Agreement, Consultant acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of this Section and that it is a material element of consideration.
The total liability in the aggregate of Consultant and its employees, subcontractors or suppliers to the City and anyone claiming through or under the City on all claims of any kind (excluding claims for death or bodily injury) arising out of or in any way related to Consultant's services or from any cause or causes whatsoever shall not exceed the limits of insurance identified herein.
In the event that Consultant or any employee, agent, or subcontractor of Consultant providing services under this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) to be eligible for enrollment in PERS as an employee of City, Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City for the payment of any employee and/or employer contributions for PERS benefits on behalf of Consultant or its employees, agents, or subcontractors, as well as for the payment of any penalties and interest on such contributions, which would otherwise be the responsibility of City.
Section 6. STATUS OF CONSULTANT.
6.1 Independent Contractor. At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall be an independent contractor and shall not be an employee of City.
City shall have the right to control Consultant only insofar as the results of 191
Consultant's services rendered pursuant to this Agreement and assignment of personnel pursuant to Subparagraph 1.3; however, otherwise City shall not have the right to control the means by which Consultant accomplishes services rendered pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other City, state, or federal policy, rule, regulation, law, or ordinance to the contrary, Consultant and any of its employees, agents, and subcontractors providing services under this Agreement shall not qualify for or become entitled to, and hereby agree to waive any and all claims to, any compensation, benefit, or any incident of employment by City, including but not limited to eligibility to enroll in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) as an employee of City and entitlement to any contribution to be paid by City for employer contributions and/or employee contributions for PERS benefits.
6.2 Consultant No Agent. Except as City may specify in writing, Consultant shall have no authority, express or implied, to act on behalf of City in any capacity whatsoever as an agent. Consultant shall have no authority, express or implied, pursuant to this Agreement to bind City to any obligation whatsoever.
Section 7. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
7.1 Governing Law. The laws of the State of California shall govern this Agreement.
7.2 Compliance with Applicable Laws. Consultant and any subcontractors shall comply with all laws applicable to the performance of the work hereunder.
7.3 Other Governmental Regulations. To the extent that this Agreement may be funded by fiscal assistance from another governmental entity, Consultant and any subcontractors shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations to which City is bound by the terms of such fiscal assistance program.
7.4 Licenses and Permits. Consultant represents and warrants to City that Consultant and its employees, agents, and any subcontractors have all licenses, permits, qualifications, and approvals of whatsoever nature that are legally required to practice their respective professions. Consultant represents and warrants to City that Consultant and its employees, agents, any subcontractors shall, at their sole cost and expense, keep in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement any licenses, permits, and approvals that are legally required to practice their respective professions. In addition to the foregoing, Consultant and any subcontractors shall obtain and maintain during the term of this Agreement valid Business Licenses from City.
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7.5 Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity. Consultant shall not discriminate, on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, national origin, age, physical or mental handicap or disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation, against any employee, applicant for employment, subcontractor, bidder for a subcontract, or participant in, recipient of, or applicant for any services or programs provided by Consultant under this Agreement. Consultant shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, policies, rules, and requirements related to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment, contracting, and the provision of any services that are the subject of this Agreement, including but not limited to the satisfaction of any positive obligations required of Consultant thereby.
Consultant shall include the provisions of this Subsection in any subcontract approved by the Contract Administrator or this Agreement.
Section 8. TERMINATION AND MODIFICATION.
8.1 Termination. City may cancel this Agreement at any time and without cause upon 15 day’s written notice to Consultant.
Consultant may cancel this Agreement upon 15 days’ written notice to City.
In the event of termination, Consultant shall be entitled to compensation for services performed to the effective date of termination; City, however, may condition payment of such compensation upon Consultant delivering to City any or all documents, photographs, computer software, video and audio tapes, and other materials provided to Contract or prepared by or for Consultant or the City in connection with this Agreement. In the event Consultant is not provided notice of any outstanding materials to be delivered to City, Consultant shall be entitled to payment within 30 days.
8.2 Extension. City may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, extend the end date of this Agreement beyond that provided for in Subsection 1.1. Any such extension shall require a written amendment to this Agreement, as provided for herein.
Consultant understands and agrees that, if City grants such an extension, City shall have no obligation to provide Consultant with compensation beyond the maximum amount provided for in this Agreement. Similarly, unless authorized by the Contract Administrator, City shall have no obligation to reimburse Consultant for any otherwise reimbursable expenses incurred during the extension period. 193
8.3 Amendments. The parties may amend this Agreement only by a writing signed by all the parties.
8.4 Assignment and Subcontracting. City and Consultant recognize and agree that this Agreement contemplates personal performance by Consultant and is based upon a determination of Consultant’s unique personal competence, experience, and specialized personal knowledge. Moreover, a substantial inducement to City for entering into this Agreement was and is the professional reputation and competence of Consultant. Consultant may not assign this Agreement or any interest therein without the prior written approval of the Contract Administrator. Consultant shall not subcontract any portion of the performance contemplated and provided for herein, other than to the subcontractors noted in the proposal, without prior written approval of the Contract Administrator.
8.5 Survival. All obligations arising prior to the termination of this Agreement and all provisions of this Agreement allocating liability between City and Consultant shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
8.6 Options upon Breach by Consultant. If Consultant materially breaches any of the terms of this Agreement, City’s remedies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
8.6.1 Immediately terminate the Agreement;
8.6.2 Retain the plans, specifications, drawings, reports, design documents, and any other work product prepared by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement;
8.6.3 Retain a different consultant to complete the work described in Exhibit A not finished by Consultant; or
8.6.4 Charge Consultant the difference between the cost to complete the work described in Exhibit A that is unfinished at the time of breach and the amount that City would have paid Consultant pursuant to Section 2 if Consultant had completed the work.
Section 9. KEEPING AND STATUS OF RECORDS.
9.1 Records Created as Part of Consultant’s Performance. All reports, data, maps, models, charts, studies, surveys, photographs, memoranda, plans, studies, 194
specifications, records, files, or any other documents or materials, in electronic or any other form, that Consultant prepares or obtains pursuant to this Agreement and that relate to the matters covered hereunder shall be the property of the City.
Consultant hereby agrees to deliver those documents to the City upon termination of the Agreement. It is understood and agreed that the documents and other materials, including but not limited to those described above, prepared pursuant to this Agreement are prepared specifically for the City and are not necessarily suitable for any future or other use. To the extent allowed by law, City and Consultant agree that, until final approval by City, all data, plans, specifications, reports and other documents are confidential and will not be released to third parties without prior written consent of both parties.
9.2 Consultant’s Books and Records. Consultant shall maintain any and all ledgers, books of account, invoices, vouchers, canceled checks, and other records or documents evidencing or relating to charges for services or expenditures and disbursements charged to the City under this Agreement for a minimum of three (3) years, or for any longer period required by law, from the date of final payment to the Consultant to this Agreement.
9.3 Inspection and Audit of Records. Any records or documents that Section 9.2 of this Agreement requires Consultant to maintain shall be made available for inspection, audit, and/or copying at any time during regular business hours, upon oral or written request of the City. Under California Government Code Section 8546.7, if the amount of public funds expended under this Agreement exceeds TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000.00), the Agreement shall be subject to the examination and audit of the State Auditor, at the request of City or as part of any audit of the City, for a period of three (3) years after final payment under the Agreement.
Section 10 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
10.1 Attorneys’ Fees. If a party to this Agreement brings any action, including an action for declaratory relief, to enforce or interpret the provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees in addition to any other relief to which that party may be entitled. The court may set such fees in the same action or in a separate action brought for that purpose.
10.2 Venue. In the event that either party brings any action against the other under this Agreement, the parties agree that trial of such action shall be vested exclusively in 195
the state courts of California in the County of San Mateo or in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
10.3 Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds or rules that any provision of this Agreement is invalid, void, or unenforceable, the provisions of this Agreement not so adjudged shall remain in full force and effect. The invalidity in whole or in part of any provision of this Agreement shall not void or affect the validity of any other provision of this Agreement.
10.4 No Implied Waiver of Breach. The waiver of any breach of a specific provision of this Agreement does not constitute a waiver of any other breach of that term or any other term of this Agreement.
10.5 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall apply to and bind the successors and assigns of the parties.
10.6 Use of Recycled Products. Consultant shall prepare and submit all reports, written studies and other printed material on recycled paper to the extent it is available at equal or less cost than virgin paper.
10.7 Conflict of Interest. Consultant may serve other clients, but none whose activities within the corporate limits of City or whose business, regardless of location, would place Consultant in a “conflict of interest,” as that term is defined in the Political Reform Act, codified at California Government Code Section 81000 et seq.
Consultant shall not employ any City official in the work performed pursuant to this Agreement. No officer or employee of City shall have any financial interest in this Agreement that would violate California Government Code Sections 1090 et seq.
10.8 Solicitation. Consultant agrees not to solicit business at any meeting, focus group, or interview related to this Agreement, either orally or through any written materials.
10.9 Contract Administration. This Agreement shall be administered by the City Manager or their designee (“Contract Administrator”). All correspondence shall be directed to or through the Contract Administrator.
10.10 Notices.
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Any written notice to Consultant shall be sent to:
Judith Guerrero
Executive Director
Coastside Hope
248 Main St #200
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-9071
[email protected]
Any written notice to City shall be sent to:
City of Half Moon Bay
501 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Attn: Irma Acosta
Phone: (650) 750-2017
Fax: (650) 726-9389
Email: [email protected]
10.11 Integration. This Agreement, including the Scope of Work and Fee Schedule attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, represents the entire and integrated agreement between City and Consultant and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral. /
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City and the Consultant have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first written above.
“CITY”
CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
Date:______________________ By:___________________________ Matthew Chidester, City Manager
Attest: Approved as to form:
By:_________________________ ____________________________ Maggie Rodriguez, Interim City Clerk Denise S. Bazzano, Interim City Attorney Date:________________________
“CONSULTANT”
COASTSIDE HOPE
Date:______________________ By:____________________________ Judith Guerrero
Its:___Executive Director __________
Attachments:
Exhibit A. Scope of Services
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EXHIBIT A
CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
COASTSIDE HOPE
FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
Agency Information
Agency Name: COASTSIDE HOPE
Address: 248 Main St #200
City, State, Zip: Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Activity/Program Title: Rental Assistance Program
Description of Services to be Provided:
Coastside Hope shall administer the City of Half Moon Bay Rental Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2026–2027. Services shall include:
• Intake, eligibility review, and case management for households experiencing temporary financial hardship or housing instability; • Administration and distribution of rental assistance, utility assistance, security deposit assistance, and other eligible housing stabilization assistance;
• Verification of applicant documentation and coordination of available funding sources to avoid duplicate assistance;
• Referrals to supportive services, housing resources, and financial counseling services, as appropriate;
• Periodic reporting to the City regarding households served, assistance distributed, program outcomes, and general service trends.
Eligible applicants shall live in the City of Half Moon Bay and demonstrate financial hardship or housing instability. Assistance shall be provided in accordance with program guidelines and subject to available funding.
Coastside Hope shall submit a mid-year report due January 1, 2027, and a final report due June 1, 2027.
The total compensation under this Agreement shall not exceed $120,000.
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BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
AGENDA REPORT
For meeting of: June 2, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
VIA: Matthew Chidester, City Manager
FROM: Irma Acosta, Interim Management Analyst
TITLE: TENANT LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN
EAST PALO ALTO
______________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) for the provision of tenant legal services, tenant rights education, and housing-related legal support services for Half Moon Bay residents in an amount not to exceed $40,000 for a term of one year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CLSEPA has requested annual funding in the amount of $40,000 to support tenant legal services, legal clinics, tenant rights education, outreach efforts, and related program administration for Half Moon Bay residents. Funding for the proposed services would be provided through the Affordable Housing Fund.
STRATEGIC ELEMENTS:
This action supports the Healthy Communities and Public Safety, and Inclusive Governance Elements of the Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On April 21, 2026, the City Council discussed potential tenant support strategies following Council direction to repeal the Residential Rent Stabilization and Rental Registry programs. During that discussion, Council expressed interest in exploring service-based approaches intended to support residents experiencing housing instability, including rental assistance and legal support services.
Council directed staff to continue evaluating potential program structures, implementation strategies, and partnership opportunities with community-based organizations already providing housing related services within the community.
As part of that direction, staff met with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) and Coastside Hope to discuss current tenant legal services needs, existing service gaps, and opportunities for partnership to address the needs of tenants. Discussions focused on the 200
increasing demand for tenant legal assistance within the Coastside community, particularly related to eviction issues, unlawful rent increases, habitability concerns, and tenant education regarding housing rights and responsibilities. Beginning in Winter and Spring 2026, CLSEPA established a consistent presence, both in person and through direct referrals, on the coast to provide legal advocacy and tenant education services in partnership with Coastside Hope.
Through this partnership, Coastside Hope assists with outreach, language interpretation and translation, case coordination, administrative support and referrals for tenants seeking legal assistance. The establishment of these services was made possible through a grant received by CLSEPA. However, those grant funds have since been exhausted, and while CLSEPA has continued providing services through other funding sources, maintaining the same level of services long term may not be possible without additional funding support.
As part of these efforts, CLSEPA launched a monthly in person legal clinic for tenants held at Coastside Hope on the third Wednesday of each month. Each clinic is scheduled for 3 hours in the afternoon and additional hours as needed. The clinics are intended to provide confidential legal consultations and housing related legal guidance for Coastside residents experiencing landlord-tenant disputes or housing instability. According to CLSEPA, every appointment slot during the initial clinic has been filled, demonstrating a significant need for legal support services with the community. Based on discussions with CLSEPA and Coastside Hope, staff is proposing a direct agreement between the City and CLSEPA for the continued provision of tenant legal services, tenant rights education, and housing related legal assistance for Half Moon Bay residents.
DISCUSSION
There is a growing demand for legal assistance related to housing issues within the Coastside community. Since February 2026, Coastside Hope has referred 18 separate individuals and families to CLSEPA involving alleged violations of the Half Moon Bay Tenant Protection Ordinance, the California Tenant Protection Act, and other applicable state and federal laws. This demonstrates the complexities involved in the cases that Half Moon Bay tenants experience.
According to CLSEPA, some of the most common issues raised by tenants include:
• illegal verbal eviction notices
• unlawful rent increase attempts
• violations of just cause eviction protections
• violations of the implied warranty of habitability
• refusal to accept third party rental assistance
• unlawful utility fee increases intended to bypass rent increase limitations • harassment and retaliation by landlords
• Landlords' failure to provide required documentation or receipts for rent payments despite repeated requests by the tenants.
CLSEPA provided several examples illustrating the types of cases currently affecting Coastside tenants. In one case, a landlord allegedly attempted to increase a tenant’s rent by approximately 80% in violation of the Half Moon Bay Rent Stabilization Ordinance and the California Tenant Protection Act. According to CLSEPA, the organization successfully intervened and the landlord 201
ultimately withdrew the unlawful notice and reduced the rent increase to a legally compliant amount. In another case, CLSEPA assisted a tenant living in an allegedly unpermitted accessory dwelling unit after the tenant received a termination notice after notifying the landlord of the habitability conditions. CLSEPA reported that the tenant was ultimately able to obtain a settlement agreement that included financial compensation exceeding $6,000. CLSEPA also provided legal advice to the tenant who alleged wrongful eviction by the landlord based on the fraudulent claim of owner-move in and unproven claims of nuisance. In two eviction matters, involving families whose landlords filed an unlawful detainer suit against them and were facing imminent displacement, CLSEPA reported successful settlement negotiations with the landlords which allowed both families to remain housed and prevented homelessness.
In addition to direct legal representation and legal consultations, CLSEPA has also focused on tenant education and community outreach efforts intended to improve understanding of tenant rights and landlord obligations under local and state law. In February 2026, CLSEPA conducted a tenant education workshop titled “Understanding Your Lease and Eviction 101” for residents of the Stone Pine Cove community. The workshop was hosted at Coastside Hope with language interpretation support and was attended by approximately 40 participants. CLSEPA and Coastside Hope are currently planning an additional tenant’s rights workshop anticipated to be held in June 2026.
These education and outreach efforts are particularly important because many tenants seeking assistance need support with understanding lease agreements, notices from landlords, eviction procedures, and the rights and responsibilities provided under local and state law. Moreover, these complex legally binding documents are almost always provided in English, which creates an additional barrier to monolingual Spanish speaking tenants or those with limited English proficiency in understanding their legal rights. CLSEPA indicated that many tenants are simply unfamiliar with housing laws and do not understand whether notices or actions taken by landlords are legally enforceable. Based on discussions with CLSEPA and Coastside Hope, staff is proposing that the City establish a direct agreement with CLSEPA for the continued provision of tenant legal services, legal consultations, community education workshops, and housing related legal assistance. Under the proposed structure, CLSEPA would continue operating monthly housing clinics, providing legal consultations, and legal representation when appropriate, conducting tenant rights workshops, and coordinating with Coastside Hope regarding referrals and supportive services. Although Coastside Hope and CLSEPA would continue coordinating referrals and supportive services through their existing working relationship, staff is recommending that the City maintain separate agreements with each organization to provide greater clarity regarding scope of work, funding allocation, reporting responsibilities, and overall program accountability.
The proposed agreement would also support bilingual outreach and language accessibility efforts through continued coordination with Coastside Hope, which currently assists with administrative procedures, interpretation, translation and outreach for Coastside residents seeking legal assistance. Under the proposed agreement, CLSEPA would provide periodic reports to the City summarizing services provided, number of residents served, clinic participation, outreach 202
activities, and general service trends identified through program implementation. Reports would not include confidential or personal identifiable client information.
CONCLUSION
The proposed agreement with CLSEPA is intended to provide residents with increased access to tenant legal services, tenant rights education, and housing-related legal support services intended to improve housing stability and prevent displacement. Through discussions with CLSEPA and Coastside Hope, staff identified an opportunity to build upon an existing partnership that is already providing legal advocacy and tenant education services within the community.
Staff believe the proposed agreement structure provides a targeted, service-based approach to supporting tenants experiencing instability while leveraging the expertise of organizations already serving Coastside residents. In addition to direct legal consultations and representation, the proposed agreement would continue supporting community education efforts intended to improve understanding of housing rights and responsibilities under local and state law. Staff also believe the proposed agreement would complement other housing stabilization efforts currently being explored by the City, including the rental assistance and community-based housing support services. By improving access to legal information, tenant education, and legal representation, the program is intended to help residents better understand and exercise their rights while reducing the risk of displacement and housing instability. The proposed agreement establishes a formal framework for continued coordination between the City, CLSEPA, and Coastside Hope and would support ongoing legal clinics, tenant education workshops, bilingual outreach efforts, and housing related legal assistance for Half Moon Bay residents. Staff recommends approval of the proposed agreement and allocation of funding from the Affordable Housing Fund to support implementation of the program.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. CLSEPA Supporting Document
3. Draft Agreement
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HALF MOON BAY AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN EAST
PALO ALTO (CLSEPA) FOR THE PROVISION OF TENANT LEGAL SERVICES, TENANT RIGHTS
EDUCATION, AND HOUSING-RELATED LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR HALF MOON BAY RESIDENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $40,000 FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR.
WHEREAS, on April 21, 2026, the City Council discussed potential tenant support strategies following Council direction to repeal the Residential Rent Stabilization and Rental Registry programs; and
WHEREAS, during the discussion, the City Council expressed interest in exploring service based approaches intended to support residents experiencing housing instability, including rental assistance and legal support services; and
WHEREAS, staff subsequently met with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (“CLSEPA”) and Coastside Hope to discuss tenant legal service needs, existing service gaps, and opportunities for partnership within the community; and WHEREAS, CLSEPA established a monthly in person legal clinic at Coastside Hope to provide confidential legal consultations and housing related legal guidance for Coastside residents experiencing landlord-tenant disputes or housing instability; and WHEREAS, through discussions with CLSEPA and Coastside Hope, the City identified a growing demand for tenant legal services related to unlawful rent increases, eviction matters, habitability concerns, tenant education, and other housing related legal issues; and WHEREAS, the proposed agreement would establish a formal framework for continued coordination between the City, CLSEPA, and Coastside Hope regarding legal referrals, community education efforts, and supportive housing related services; and WHEREAS, the proposed agreement with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto includes annual funding in the amount of $40,000 for tenant legal services, legal clinics, outreach efforts, tenant rights education, and related program administration, funded through the City’s Affordable Housing Fund to help support homelessness prevention efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Half Moon Bay hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute an agreement with Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) for the provision of tenant legal services, tenant rights education, and housing-related legal support services for Half Moon Bay residents in an amount not to exceed $40,000 for a term of one year.
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I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed and adopted on the 2nd day of June 2026, by the City Council of Half Moon Bay by the following vote:
AYES, Councilmembers:
NOES, Councilmembers:
ABSENT, Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN, Councilmembers:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________________ _____________________________ Maggie Rodriguez, Interim City Clerk Debbie Ruddock, Mayor 205
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA)’s
Legal Advocacy and Education for Tenants in partnership with Coastside Hope Starting in Winter/Spring of 2026, CLSEPA has established a consistent in-person presence to provide much needed legal advocacy and education for tenants in the city of Half Moon Bay and the coastal communities at large in San Mateo County. CLSEPA’s legal services are being implemented through the partnership with Coastside Hope, whose staI are equipped with critical skills, such as building trust with tenants, cultural sensitivity, language interpretation/translation, case management support, setting up administrative logistics, amongst many others.
• A monthly legal clinic for tenants: CLSEPA has launched a monthly legal clinic for tenants with the support of Coastside Hope. This in-person legal clinic takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm ( or longer) with a goal of providing confidential legal consultation to each client for 30 minutes or longer.
The first clinic day was launched on Wednesday, March 18, 20-26. Each appointment slot was filled.
• Coastside Hope’s referrals to CLSEPA: In addition to a monthly clinic, CLSEPA continues to receive a steady number of referrals from Coastside Hope (and other community organizations as well) involving tenants who need legal advice and/or representation. Most common reasons as to why tenants seek legal advice & representation are as follows:
1) Exercise fundamental tenants’ rights and responsibilities under the HMB TPA, the CA TPA, and any applicable federal statutes.
2) Exercise tenants’ rights and defend themselves against wrongful eviction, illegal rent increase, and a landlord’s failure to honor tenants’rights under the Implied Warranty of Habitability and CA Health and Safety codes. 3) Understanding and enforcing a landlord’s legal obligations. 4) Understanding a lease agreement that is often comprised of 15-20 pages or more.
5) Understanding any notices they receive from the landlord (e.g. an inspection notice, a rent increase notice, a notice to cure or quit, a termination notice, etc.,)
• Community Education: CLSEPA also holds tenants’ rights/responsibilities workshops. For example, in February 2026, CLSEPA provided a workshop entitled, Understanding Your Lease and Eviction 101 to the new homeowners/tenants of the Stone Pine Cove community. The workshop was held at the oIice of Coastside Hope with the language support. It was very well attended with about 40 participants.
CLSEPA and Coastside Hope are currently planning another tenants’ rights workshop to take place in June 2026.
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Services provided since February 2026:
Since February 2026 – Coastside Hope has referred a total number of 18 separate unique individual and families whose rights were violated under the applicable HMB RSO/TPA and or CA law. The issues that were raised by the tenants as follow (some tenants raised multiple of following issues).
Issues Tenant # Notes / Resolution
Illegal verbal eviction notice 5 tenants - For the tenants who sought legal advice after they already were
evicted, CLSEPA informed them of
their rights and how to handle a
similar situation in the future and
possible claims they may have
against their prior landlords who
wrongfully evicted them.
- Informed the tenants of their
rights and tenants learned how to
exercise their rights against the
illegal verbal notice
Illegal rent increase
attempts
(in one case, LL gave the
tenant a 2-day notice to the
tenant, asking the tenant to
either accept a $2500 rent
increase or to leave the
property).
3 tenants - In one case, LL tried to increase the
rent close to 80% in violation of the
City of HMB RSO & CA TPA (CLSEPA
had this LL to withdraw the illegal
notice, and the tenant’s rent was
increased within the legal limit)
- In one case, LL gave the tenant an
illegal 2-day notice, asking the
tenant to either accept a $2500 rent
increase or to leave the property).
Cases are on-going.
Unlawful utility fees
increase as an attempt to
bypass the rent increase
limit
2 tenants - Advised the tenant to inform the
landlord of T’s rights under CA TPA,
and to ask for an actual receipt of
the utilities bills to verify the LL’s
claims of increase in utility bills.
With CLSEPA’s advice, the
problem has been resolved, and
the tenant is now paying a
reasonable and fairly allocated
amount of the utilities bills.
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Violations of the Just Cause
eviction laws
6 tenants - Landlord wrongfully evicted tenant
based on a fraudulent claim that
the owner was moving in.
Landlord’s refusal to accept
a 3rd party rental assistance
1 tenant CLSEPA wrote a demand letter to the
landlord’s legal counsel – the matter
has been resolved since then, but LL is
now looking for another excuse now to
accept it. On-going.
Landlord leasing an
unpermitted/illegal ADU to
the tenant and then issuing
an illegal termination notice
after the tenant requested
the landlord to address
habitability issues.
1 tenant CLSEPA was able to successfully
advice CL to obtain a settlement
agreement with a financial
compensation for over $7000.
Landlord refusing to provide
a receipt upon receiving a
rent payment
6 tenants Ongoing
Landlord failure to provide a
habitable premises: a gas
leak in the kitchen, nonworking stoves and
refrigerators, molds in the
units, broken window, etc.
3 tenants Ongoing
Two evictions filed based on
the claims of nuisance
2 families CLSEPA successfully obtained a
settlement agreement, allowing the
families to continue living at their
rental homes, preventing eviction
and homelessness.
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CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
____________________________________
THIS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made by and between the City of Half Moon Bay, (“City”) and Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (“Consultant”), effective as of ________ ___, 2026.
Section 1. SERVICES. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Consultant shall provide to City the services described in the Scope of Work attached hereto as Exhibit A at the time and place and in the manner specified therein. In the event of a conflict in or inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and Exhibit A, this Agreement shall prevail.
1.1 Term of Services. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first noted above and shall run until June 30, 2027, or until terminated by either party pursuant to Section 8.
1.2 Standard of Performance. Consultant shall perform all services required pursuant to this Agreement in the manner and according to the standards observed by a competent practitioner of the profession in which Consultant is engaged in the geographical area in which Consultant practices its profession. Consultant shall prepare all work products required by this Agreement in accordance with usual and customary professional and shall conform to the standards of quality normally observed by a person practicing in Consultant's profession.
1.3 Assignment of Personnel. Consultant shall assign only competent personnel to perform services pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that City, in its sole discretion, at any time during the term of this Agreement, desires the reassignment of any such persons, Consultant shall, immediately upon receiving notice from City of such desire of City, reassign such person or persons.
1.4 Time. Consultant shall devote such time to the performance of services pursuant to this Agreement as may be reasonably necessary to meet the standard of performance provided in Section 1.2 above and to satisfy Consultant’s obligations hereunder.
Section 2. COMPENSATION. Exhibit A to this contract contains the Scope of Work and the Fee Schedule. The City shall pay Consultant for services rendered pursuant to the Fee Schedule at the time and in the manner set forth herein. Consultant shall submit all invoices to City in the manner specified herein. Except as specifically authorized by City, Consultant shall not bill City for duplicate services performed by more than one person. 209
Consultant and City acknowledge and agree that compensation paid by City to Consultant under this Agreement is based upon Consultant’s estimated costs of providing the services required hereunder, including salaries and benefits of employees and subcontractors of Consultant.
Consequently, the parties further agree that compensation hereunder is intended to include the costs of contributions to any pensions and/or annuities to which Consultant and its employees, agents, and subcontractors may be eligible. City therefore has no responsibility for such contributions beyond compensation required under this Agreement.
2.1 Invoices. Consultant shall submit invoices, not more often than once a month during the term of this Agreement, based on the cost for services performed prior to the invoice date. Invoices shall contain the following information:
Serial identifications of progress bills; i.e., Progress Bill No. 1 for the first invoice, etc.; The beginning and ending dates of the billing period; A Task Summary containing for each planning application along with the amount of prior billings, the total due in the current period, and the percentage of completion of processing for the application;
For each application processed, a copy of the applicable time entries or time sheets shall be submitted showing the name of the person doing the work, the hours spent by each person, and a brief description of the work;
The total number of hours of work performed under the Agreement by Consultant and each employee, agent, and subcontractor of Consultant performing services hereunder, as well as a separate notice when the total number of hours of work by Consultant and any individual employee, agent, or subcontractor of Consultant reaches or exceeds 800 hours;
The Consultant’s signature.
2.2 Monthly Payment. City shall make monthly payments, based on invoices received, for services satisfactorily performed. City shall have 30 days from the receipt of an invoice that complies with all of the requirements above to pay Consultant.
2.3 Hourly Fees. Fees for work performed by Consultant on an hourly basis shall not exceed the amounts shown on the Fee Schedule shown in Exhibit A, incorporated herein by this reference.
2.4 Payment of Taxes. Consultant is solely responsible for the payment of employment taxes incurred under this Agreement and any similar federal or state taxes.
2.5 Payment upon Termination. In the event that the City or Consultant terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 8, the City shall compensate the Consultant for all outstanding costs incurred for work satisfactorily completed as of the date of written notice of termination. Consultant shall maintain adequate logs and timesheets in order to verify costs incurred to that date.
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2.6 Authorization to Perform Services. The Consultant is not authorized to perform any services or incur any costs whatsoever under the terms of this Agreement until receipt of authorization from the Contract Administrator.
Section 3. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT. Except as set forth herein, Consultant shall, at its sole cost and expense, provide all facilities and equipment that may be necessary to perform the services required by this Agreement.
Section 4. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.
4.1 During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall carry, maintain, and keep in full force and effect insurance against claims for death or injuries to persons or damages to property that may arise from or in connection with Consultant’s performance of this Agreement. Such insurance shall be of the types and in the amounts as set forth below:
Comprehensive General Liability Insurance with coverage limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) including products and operations hazard, contractual insurance, broad form property damage, independent consultants, personal injury, underground hazard, and explosion and collapse hazard where applicable.
Automobile Liability Insurance for vehicles used in connection with the performance of this Agreement with minimum limits of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per claimant and One Million dollars ($1,000,000) per incident. Worker’s Compensation insurance as required by the laws of the State of California.
Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance with coverage limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).
4.2 Consultant shall require each of its subcontractors within their subcontract (in writing) to maintain insurance coverage that meets all of the requirements of this Agreement.
4.3 The policy or policies required by this Agreement shall be issued by an insurer admitted in the State of California and with a rating of at least A: VII in the latest edition of Best’s Insurance Guide.
4.4. Consultant agrees that if it does not keep the aforesaid insurance in full force and effect, City may either (i) immediately terminate this Agreement; or (ii) take out the necessary insurance and pay, at Consultant’s expense, the premium thereon. 211
4.5. At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall maintain on file with City’s Finance Manager a certificate or certificates of insurance showing that the aforesaid policies are in effect in the required amounts and naming the City and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional insureds. Consultant shall, prior to commencement of work under this Agreement, file with City’s Risk Manager such certificate(s).
4.6. Consultant shall provide proof that policies of insurance required herein expiring, or cancelled, during the term of this Agreement have been renewed or replaced with other policies providing at least the same coverage. Such proof will be furnished at least two weeks prior to the expiration of the coverages, or immediately for any policy being cancelled.
4.7. The general liability and automobile policies of insurance required by this Agreement shall contain an endorsement naming City and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional insureds. All of the policies required under this Agreement shall contain an endorsement providing that the policies cannot be canceled or reduced except on thirty days’ prior written notice to City.
4.8. The insurance provided by Consultant shall be primary to any coverage available to City. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by City and/or its officers, employees, agents or volunteers, shall be in excess of Consultant’s insurance and shall not contribute with it. .
4.9. All insurance coverage provided pursuant to this Agreement shall not prohibit Consultant, and Consultant’s employees, agents or subcontractors, from waiving the right of subrogation prior to a loss. Consultant hereby waives all rights of subrogation against the City.
4.10. Any deductibles or self-insured retentions must be declared to and approved by the City. At the option of City, Consultant shall either reduce or eliminate the deductibles or self-insured retentions with respect to City, or Consultant shall procure a bond guaranteeing payment of losses and expenses.
4.11. Procurement of insurance by Consultant shall not be construed as a limitation of Consultant’s liability or as full performance of Consultant’s duties to indemnify, hold harmless and defend under Section 10 of this Agreement. 212
Section 5. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONSULTANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES.
Consultant shall hold harmless, defend and indemnify City and its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from and against any and all liability, loss, damage, expense, costs (including without limitation costs and fees of litigation) of every nature arising out of or in connection with Consultant’s performance of work hereunder or its failure to comply with any of its obligations contained in the agreement, except such loss or damage which was caused by the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the City.
The foregoing obligation of Consultant shall not apply when (1) the injury, loss of life, damage to property, or violation of law arises wholly from the negligence or willful misconduct of the City or its officers, employees, agents, or volunteers and (2) the actions of Consultant or its employees, subcontractor, or agents have contributed in no part to the injury, loss of life, damage to property, or violation of law. It is understood that the duty of Consultant to indemnify and hold harmless includes the duty to defend as set forth in Section 2778 of the California Civil Code. Acceptance by City of insurance certificates and endorsements required under this Agreement does not relieve Consultant from liability under this indemnification and hold harmless clause. By execution of this Agreement, Consultant acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of this Section and that it is a material element of consideration.
The total liability in the aggregate of Consultant and its employees, subcontractors or suppliers to the City and anyone claiming through or under the City on all claims of any kind (excluding claims for death or bodily injury) arising out of or in any way related to Consultant's services or from any cause or causes whatsoever shall not exceed the limits of insurance identified herein.
In the event that Consultant or any employee, agent, or subcontractor of Consultant providing services under this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) to be eligible for enrollment in PERS as an employee of City, Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City for the payment of any employee and/or employer contributions for PERS benefits on behalf of Consultant or its employees, agents, or subcontractors, as well as for the payment of any penalties and interest on such contributions, which would otherwise be the responsibility of City.
Section 6. STATUS OF CONSULTANT.
6.1 Independent Contractor. At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall be an independent contractor and shall not be an employee of City.
City shall have the right to control Consultant only insofar as the results of Consultant's services rendered pursuant to this Agreement and assignment of personnel pursuant to Subparagraph 1.3; however, otherwise City shall not have the right to control the means by which Consultant accomplishes services rendered 213
pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other City, state, or federal policy, rule, regulation, law, or ordinance to the contrary, Consultant and any of its employees, agents, and subcontractors providing services under this Agreement shall not qualify for or become entitled to, and hereby agree to waive any and all claims to, any compensation, benefit, or any incident of employment by City, including but not limited to eligibility to enroll in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) as an employee of City and entitlement to any contribution to be paid by City for employer contributions and/or employee contributions for PERS benefits.
6.2 Consultant No Agent. Except as City may specify in writing, Consultant shall have no authority, express or implied, to act on behalf of City in any capacity whatsoever as an agent. Consultant shall have no authority, express or implied, pursuant to this Agreement to bind City to any obligation whatsoever.
Section 7. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
7.1 Governing Law. The laws of the State of California shall govern this Agreement.
7.2 Compliance with Applicable Laws. Consultant and any subcontractors shall comply with all laws applicable to the performance of the work hereunder.
7.3 Other Governmental Regulations. To the extent that this Agreement may be funded by fiscal assistance from another governmental entity, Consultant and any subcontractors shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations to which City is bound by the terms of such fiscal assistance program.
7.4 Licenses and Permits. Consultant represents and warrants to City that Consultant and its employees, agents, and any subcontractors have all licenses, permits, qualifications, and approvals of whatsoever nature that are legally required to practice their respective professions. Consultant represents and warrants to City that Consultant and its employees, agents, any subcontractors shall, at their sole cost and expense, keep in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement any licenses, permits, and approvals that are legally required to practice their respective professions. In addition to the foregoing, Consultant and any subcontractors shall obtain and maintain during the term of this Agreement valid Business Licenses from City.
7.5 Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity. Consultant shall not discriminate, on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, national origin, age, physical or 214
mental handicap or disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation, against any employee, applicant for employment, subcontractor, bidder for a subcontract, or participant in, recipient of, or applicant for any services or programs provided by Consultant under this Agreement. Consultant shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, policies, rules, and requirements related to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment, contracting, and the provision of any services that are the subject of this Agreement, including but not limited to the satisfaction of any positive obligations required of Consultant thereby.
Consultant shall include the provisions of this Subsection in any subcontract approved by the Contract Administrator or this Agreement.
Section 8. TERMINATION AND MODIFICATION.
8.1 Termination. City may cancel this Agreement at any time and without cause upon 15 day’s written notice to Consultant.
Consultant may cancel this Agreement upon 15 days’ written notice to City.
In the event of termination, Consultant shall be entitled to compensation for services performed to the effective date of termination; City, however, may condition payment of such compensation upon Consultant delivering to City any or all documents, photographs, computer software, video and audio tapes, and other materials provided to Contract or prepared by or for Consultant or the City in connection with this Agreement. In the event Consultant is not provided notice of any outstanding materials to be delivered to City, Consultant shall be entitled to payment within 30 days.
8.2 Extension. City may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, extend the end date of this Agreement beyond that provided for in Subsection 1.1. Any such extension shall require a written amendment to this Agreement, as provided for herein.
Consultant understands and agrees that, if City grants such an extension, City shall have no obligation to provide Consultant with compensation beyond the maximum amount provided for in this Agreement. Similarly, unless authorized by the Contract Administrator, City shall have no obligation to reimburse Consultant for any otherwise reimbursable expenses incurred during the extension period.
8.3 Amendments. The parties may amend this Agreement only by a writing signed by all the parties.
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8.4 Assignment and Subcontracting. City and Consultant recognize and agree that this Agreement contemplates personal performance by Consultant and is based upon a determination of Consultant’s unique personal competence, experience, and specialized personal knowledge. Moreover, a substantial inducement to City for entering into this Agreement was and is the professional reputation and competence of Consultant. Consultant may not assign this Agreement or any interest therein without the prior written approval of the Contract Administrator. Consultant shall not subcontract any portion of the performance contemplated and provided for herein, other than to the subcontractors noted in the proposal, without prior written approval of the Contract Administrator.
8.5 Survival. All obligations arising prior to the termination of this Agreement and all provisions of this Agreement allocating liability between City and Consultant shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
8.6 Options upon Breach by Consultant. If Consultant materially breaches any of the terms of this Agreement, City’s remedies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
8.6.1 Immediately terminate the Agreement;
8.6.2 Retain the plans, specifications, drawings, reports, design documents, and any other work product prepared by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement;
8.6.3 Retain a different consultant to complete the work described in Exhibit A not finished by Consultant; or
8.6.4 Charge Consultant the difference between the cost to complete the work described in Exhibit A that is unfinished at the time of breach and the amount that City would have paid Consultant pursuant to Section 2 if Consultant had completed the work.
Section 9. KEEPING AND STATUS OF RECORDS.
9.1 Records Created as Part of Consultant’s Performance. All reports, data, maps, models, charts, studies, surveys, photographs, memoranda, plans, studies, specifications, records, files, or any other documents or materials, in electronic or any other form, that Consultant prepares or obtains pursuant to this Agreement and that relate to the matters covered hereunder shall be the property of the City. 216
Consultant hereby agrees to deliver those documents to the City upon termination of the Agreement. It is understood and agreed that the documents and other materials, including but not limited to those described above, prepared pursuant to this Agreement are prepared specifically for the City and are not necessarily suitable for any future or other use. To the extent allowed by law, City and Consultant agree that, until final approval by City, all data, plans, specifications, reports and other documents are confidential and will not be released to third parties without prior written consent of both parties.
9.2 Consultant’s Books and Records. Consultant shall maintain any and all ledgers, books of account, invoices, vouchers, canceled checks, and other records or documents evidencing or relating to charges for services or expenditures and disbursements charged to the City under this Agreement for a minimum of three (3) years, or for any longer period required by law, from the date of final payment to the Consultant to this Agreement.
9.3 Inspection and Audit of Records. Any records or documents that Section 9.2 of this Agreement requires Consultant to maintain shall be made available for inspection, audit, and/or copying at any time during regular business hours, upon oral or written request of the City. Under California Government Code Section 8546.7, if the amount of public funds expended under this Agreement exceeds TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000.00), the Agreement shall be subject to the examination and audit of the State Auditor, at the request of City or as part of any audit of the City, for a period of three (3) years after final payment under the Agreement.
Section 10 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
10.1 Attorneys’ Fees. If a party to this Agreement brings any action, including an action for declaratory relief, to enforce or interpret the provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees in addition to any other relief to which that party may be entitled. The court may set such fees in the same action or in a separate action brought for that purpose.
10.2 Venue. In the event that either party brings any action against the other under this Agreement, the parties agree that trial of such action shall be vested exclusively in the state courts of California in the County of San Mateo or in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. 217
10.3 Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds or rules that any provision of this Agreement is invalid, void, or unenforceable, the provisions of this Agreement not so adjudged shall remain in full force and effect. The invalidity in whole or in part of any provision of this Agreement shall not void or affect the validity of any other provision of this Agreement.
10.4 No Implied Waiver of Breach. The waiver of any breach of a specific provision of this Agreement does not constitute a waiver of any other breach of that term or any other term of this Agreement.
10.5 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall apply to and bind the successors and assigns of the parties.
10.6 Use of Recycled Products. Consultant shall prepare and submit all reports, written studies and other printed material on recycled paper to the extent it is available at equal or less cost than virgin paper.
10.7 Conflict of Interest. Consultant may serve other clients, but none whose activities within the corporate limits of City or whose business, regardless of location, would place Consultant in a “conflict of interest,” as that term is defined in the Political Reform Act, codified at California Government Code Section 81000 et seq.
Consultant shall not employ any City official in the work performed pursuant to this Agreement. No officer or employee of City shall have any financial interest in this Agreement that would violate California Government Code Sections 1090 et seq.
10.8 Solicitation. Consultant agrees not to solicit business at any meeting, focus group, or interview related to this Agreement, either orally or through any written materials.
10.9 Contract Administration. This Agreement shall be administered by the City Manager or their designee (“Contract Administrator”). All correspondence shall be directed to or through the Contract Administrator.
10.10 Notices.
Any written notice to Consultant shall be sent to:
Katrina Logan
Executive Director
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CLSEPA
1861 Bay Rd
East Palo Alto, CA 94019
(650) 326- 6440
[email protected]
Any written notice to City shall be sent to:
City of Half Moon Bay
501 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Attn: Irma Acosta
Phone: (650) 750-2017
Fax: (650) 726-9389
Email: [email protected]
10.11 Integration. This Agreement, including the Scope of Work and Fee Schedule attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, represents the entire and integrated agreement between City and Consultant and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral. /
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City and the Consultant have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first written above.
“CITY”
CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
Date:______________________ By:___________________________ Matthew Chidester, City Manager
Attest: Approved as to form:
By:_________________________ ____________________________ Maggie Rodriguez, interim City Clerk Denise S. Bazzano, Interim City Attorney Date:________________________
“CONSULTANT”
CLSEPA
Date:______________________ By:____________________________ Katrina Logan
Its:___Executive Director __________
Attachments:
Exhibit A. Scope of Services
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EXHIBIT A
CITY OF HALF MOON BAY
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN EAST PALO ALTO
FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021
Agency Information
Agency Name: COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN EAST PALO
ALTO
Address: 1861 Bay Rd
City, State, Zip: East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Activity/Program Title: Housing Legal Assistance
Description of Services to be Provided:
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (“CLSEPA”) shall provide tenant legal services and housing-related legal assistance for Half Moon Bay residents during Fiscal Year 2026–2027. Services shall include:
• Legal consultations and advocacy related to landlord-tenant disputes, eviction matters, unlawful rent increases, habitability concerns, and tenant protection laws;
• Monthly in-person legal clinics on the Coastside;
• Tenant rights education workshops and community outreach activities; • Coordination with Coastside Hope regarding referrals, interpretation, translation, and bilingual outreach efforts; and
• Periodic reporting to the City regarding services provided, number of residents served, outreach activities, and program outcomes.
CLSEPA shall submit a mid-year report due January 1, 2027, and a final report due June 1, 2027. Reports shall not include confidential or personally identifiable client information.
The total compensation under this Agreement shall not exceed $40,000. 221