(3) The closed session may take place prior to and during consultations and discussions with representatives of employee organizations and unrepresented employees.
(4) Any closed session with the local agency’s designated representative regarding the salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits may include discussion of an agency’s available funds and funding priorities, but only insofar as these discussions relate to providing instructions to the local agency’s designated representative. (5)
The closed session shall not include final action on the proposed compensation of one or more unrepresented employees.
(6) For the purposes enumerated in this section, a legislative body of a local agency may also meet with a state conciliator who has intervened in the proceedings.
(b)
For the purposes of this section, the term “employee” shall include an officer or an independent contractor who functions as an officer or an employee, but shall not include any elected official, member of a legislative body, or other independent contractors.
SEC. 21. Section 54957.9 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.9. In the event that any meeting is willfully interrupted by a group or groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of the meeting unfeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are willfully interrupting the meeting, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and continue in session. Only matters appearing on the agenda may be considered in such a session. Representatives of the press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any session held pursuant to this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the legislative body from establishing a procedure for readmitting an individual or individuals not responsible for willfully disturbing the orderly conduct of the meeting.
SEC. 22.
Section 54957.95 of the Government Code is amended to read:
54957.95. (a) (1) In addition to authority exercised pursuant to Sections 54954.3 and 54957.9, the presiding member of the legislative body conducting a meeting or their designee may remove, or cause the removal of, an individual for disrupting the meeting, including any teleconferenced meeting.
(2)
Prior to removing an individual, the presiding member or their designee shall warn the individual that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that their failure to cease their behavior may result in their removal. The presiding member or their designee may then remove the individual if they do not promptly cease their disruptive behavior. This paragraph does not apply to any behavior described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(b)
As used in this section:
(1) “Disrupting” means engaging in behavior during a meeting of a legislative body that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible 91 Ch. 327 — 33 —
the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, one of the following:
(A) A failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body pursuant to Section 54954.3 or any other law. (B) Engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force.
(2) “True threat of force” means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat.
SEC. 23.
Section 54957.96 is added to the Government Code, to read:
54957.96. (a) The existing authority of a legislative body or its presiding officer to remove or limit participation by persons who engage in behavior that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting, including existing limitations upon that authority, shall apply to members of the public participating in a meeting via a two-way telephonic service or a two-way audiovisual platform.
(b)
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Two-way audiovisual platform” means an online platform that provides participants with the ability to participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service. A two-way audiovisual platform may be structured to disable the use of video for the public participants.
(2)
“Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate.
SEC. 24. The Legislature finds and declares that Section 4 of this act, which amends Section 54953 of, Section 5 of this act, which adds Section 54953.4 to, Sections 8 to 15, inclusive, of this act, which add Sections 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, respectively, to, Section 19 of this act, which amends Section 54956.5 of, Section 22 of this act, which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Section 23 of this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the Government Code, impose a limitation on the public’s right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies within the meaning of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution.
Pursuant to that constitutional provision, the Legislature makes the following findings to demonstrate the interest protected by this limitation and the need for protecting that interest:
(a)
This act is necessary to provide opportunities for public participation in meetings of specified public agencies and to promote the recruitment and retention of members of those agencies.
(b)
This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements allowing for greater public participation in meetings.
(c)
This act is necessary to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect recent technological changes that can promote greater public access to local officials.
91 —
34 — Ch. 327
(d) The exclusively virtual nature of the California Online Community College presents unique barriers to the requirements for an in-person quorum, a physical location for public participation, and certain accommodations.
Participating students of the online community college come from all across the state and necessitating travel for these requirements would pose a significant and exclusionary barrier.
SEC. 25. The Legislature finds and declares that Sections 1 and 2 of this act, which amend and repeal Section 54952.2, respectively, of, Section 3 of this act, which amends Section 54952.7 of, Section 4 of this act, which amends Section 54953 of, Section 5 of this act, which adds Section 54953.4 to, Section 6 of this act, which amends Section 54953.5 of, Section 7 of this act, which amends Section 54953.7 of, Sections 8 to 15, inclusive, of this act, which add Sections 54953.8 to 54953.8.7, respectively, to, Section 16 of this act, which amends Section 54954.2 of, Section 17 of this act, which amends Section 54954.3 of, Section 18 of this act, which amends Section 54956 of, Section 19 of this act, which amends Section 54956.5 of, Section 20 of this act, which amends Section 54957.6 of, Section 21 of this act, which amends Section 54957.9 of, Section 22 of this act, which amends Section 54957.95 of, and Section 23 of this act, which adds Section 54957.96 to, the Government Code, further, within the meaning of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, the purposes of that constitutional section as it relates to the right of public access to the meetings of local public bodies or the writings of local public officials and local agencies. Pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution, the Legislature makes the following findings:
(a)
This act is necessary to provide opportunities for public participation in meetings of specified public agencies and to promote the recruitment and retention of members of those agencies.
(b)
This act is necessary to ensure minimum standards for public participation and notice requirements allowing for greater public participation in meetings.
(c)
This act is necessary to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act to reflect recent technological changes that can promote greater public access to local officials.
(d)
The exclusively virtual nature of the California Online Community College presents unique barriers to the requirements for an in-person quorum, a physical location for public participation, and certain accommodations.
Participating students of the online community college come from all across the state and necessitating travel for these requirements would pose a significant and exclusionary barrier.
SEC. 26. The Legislature finds and declares that adequate public access to meetings is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution.
Therefore, this bill would apply to all cities, including charter cities.
SEC. 27.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs 91 Ch. 327 — 35 —
that may be incurred by a local agency or school district under this act would result from a legislative mandate that is within the scope of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 3 of Article I of the California Constitution.
O
91 —
36 — Ch. 327
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY: Orlando Acevedo, Director of Development Services
Connor Biggerstaff, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: 2026-27 Community Assistance Program (CAP) Final Rankings and Funding Recommendations
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Review the Community Assistance Program (CAP) application rankings as recommended by the City Council Advisory Committee (CCAC); and
2. Approve the recommended funding allocations for FY 2026-27.
BACKGROUND
The Community Assistance Program (CAP) is available for public service programs and projects that assist Hesperia residents through services related to food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, youth services, differently abled services, seniors and veterans. CAP is funded through the City’s General Fund and managed by the Economic Development division.
On June 17, 2025, upon the certification of the FY 2025-26 CAP application ranking, City Council provided direction to staff to increase the program’s funding amount to $75,000. During a subsequent Council meeting, on August 5, 2025, the Council reaffirmed support of the increased funding allocation.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
Eligible CAP applicants must meet the program requirements established by the City Council and demonstrate the ability to provide qualifying public services benefiting Hesperia residents.
Priority funding categories include:
o Food & Clothing Services
o Unhoused Services
o Youth/Foster Care Services
o Disability Services
o Senior/Veteran Services
o Animal Care Services
Eligible applicants must also:
Be a non-profit organization with tax-exempt status;
Serve City of Hesperia residents (must meet 75% of stated unduplicated goal in application during the CAP NOFA period July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027); Must require clients to complete Client Intake Forms; Provide the following documentation with the application:
Staff Report to City Council
2026-27 Community Assistance Program
June 16, 2026
o Copy of current Articles of Incorporation for the organization; o Copy of by-laws for the organization (as of 2026);
o Non-profit Determination Letter from the IRS for the organization; o Organizational Chart for the 2026-2027 fiscal year for the program/project; o List of Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 fiscal year for the program/project.
Applications determined to be eligible were reviewed and ranked by the CCAC prior to City Council consideration based on established program priorities, organizational capacity, and community benefit. Final ranking recommendations from the CCAC are documen ted in attachment 3, CCAC Final Ranking Sheet . A summary of the top 10 recommendations are detailed below:
Community Assistance Program FY 2026-27 CCAC Final Ranking Recommendation Rank Organization Total Score
1. Call for Life Pregnancy Help Center 467.0
2. Little Lambs Resource Group 462.0
3. Holy Family Church Food Pantry 449.0
4. New Life Chapel Food Pantry 444.0
5. High Desert Animal Coalition 443.0
6. God’s Hand Extended 437.0
7. Restore Unity Incorporated 419.0
8. Moses House Ministries 408.0
9. Assistance League of Victor Valley 402.0
10. Welcome to America, Inc. 370.0
CITY GOAL SUPPORTED BY THIS ITEM
Future Development - Facilitate balanced growth to ensure cohesive community development and pursue economic development.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this program in the amount of up to $75,000 is included in the FY 2026-27 Budget.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution No. 2026-27
2. CCAC Final Ranking Sheet
3. CAP NOFA
4. Applicant Notebooks (Binders provided under separate cover)
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HESPERIA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE FY 2026 -27 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP) FUNDING
RECOMMENDATIONS
WHEREAS, the City of Hesperia (City) is a municipal corporation duly organized under the laws and Constitution of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the City Council directed Staff to allocate $75,000 in funding to CAP for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year (FY) and
WHEREAS, the CAP grant is funded through the City ’s General Fund, and man aged by the Economic Development division; and
WHEREAS, on June 17, 2025, the City Council directed staff to increase annual CAP funding to $75,000 for FY 2026-27; and
WHEREAS, priority activities include food & clothing, unhoused shelter; youth/foster, disability, senior, veteran, and animal spay/neuter services; and
WHEREAS, priority shall be further given based on the documented financial need of each potential grantee; and
WHEREAS, all complete applications received within the deadline were presented to the City Council Advisory Committee (CCAC) for review and ranking on April 2, 2026; and WHEREAS, the CCAC reviewed and ranked all applications based on the CAP priority activities, the financial needs of each applicant, and community feedback received; and WHEREAS, per the current CAP guidelines, once all applications have been ranked, the CCAC is to forward its rankings/funding slate to the City Council for final approval; and WHEREAS, in acknowledgment of the CCAC's considerable efforts to carefully review all applications, consider public testimony from potential grantees, and rank applications ba sed on the above-noted priorities, the City Council shall make the final determination to approve the ranking/funding slate from the CCAC; and
WHEREAS, each successful grantee shall be funded in an amount not to exceed $7,500 unless less than ten (10) eligible applicants have submitted for the program's Fiscal Year; and WHEREAS, all funding decisions of the Hesperia City Council shall be final.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HESPERIA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The recitals above are true and correct and are adopted as findings.
Section 2. The City Council approves the FY 2026-27 CAP Funding Recommendations Section 3. The City Manager and/or designee is hereby authorized to execute all necessary documents and any certifications to implement the CAP Program.
Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 16th day of June 2026.
__________________________________
Brigit Bennington, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Jessica Giber, Assistant City Clerk
# Applicant
CCAC
Escobar
CCAC
Gregg
CCAC
Cisneros
CCAC
Lugo
CCAC
Arsineda
Total
Score
Final
Ranking
1 God's Hand Extended 93.0 75.0 98.0 84.0 87.0 437.0 6
2 Helping Hands Society of Los Angeles 70.0 30.0 75.0 55.0 82.0 312.0 3 Holy Family Church Food Pantry 100.0 60.0 100.0 98.0 91.0 449.0 3 4 Moses House Ministries 98.0 60.0 84.0 83.0 83.0 408.0 8 5 New Life Chapel Food Pantry 70.0 90.0 100.0 100.0 84.0 444.0 4 6 Benjamin E. Jones Community Resource Center 70.0 30.0 94.0 86.0 86.0 366.0 7 Restore Unity Incorporated Inc. 89.0 70.0 90.0 80.0 90.0 419.0 7 8 Symba Center 70.0 40.0 78.0 75.0 88.0 351.0
9 Assistance League of Victor Valley 70.0 70.0 86.0 96.0 80.0 402.0 9 10 Child Advocates of San Bernardino County 98.0 30.0 83.0 64.0 78.0 353.0 11 Little Lambs Resource Group 98.0 90.0 98.0 84.0 92.0 462.0 2 12 US Elite Non-Profit Mathematics Tutoring 65.0 70.0 52.0 51.0 80.0 318.0 13 High Desert Animal Coalition 99.0 80.0 89.0 94.0 81.0 443.0 5 14 Call For Life Pregnancy Help Center 93.0 90.0 100.0 95.0 89.0 467.0 1 15 FrenzMatter 70.0 30.0 76.0 63.0 79.0 318.0
16 Genesis Re-Entry Services 70.0 50.0 65.0 95.0 76.0 356.0 17 New Life Facility Inc. 85.0 30.0 70.0 46.0 76.0 307.0 18 Ta'Niyah's Precious Moments Foundation 70.0 20.0 64.0 59.0 78.0 291.0 19 Welcome to America Inc. 90.0 40.0 80.0 73.0 87.0 370.0 10 Attachment 2
City of Hesperia
Community Assistance Program
Notice of Funding Availability
(NOFA) 2026-2027
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Date: Friday, March 13, 2026 Time: 5:00 p.m.
Ci
ty of Hesperia
Economic Development Department
760 947-1902
9700 Seventh Avenue
Hesperia, CA 92345
Attachment 3
City of Hesperia
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
SECTION I – CAP NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY…………………………………………………………….3
SECTION II – NOFA PROCESS AND TIMELINE………………………………………………………………………3-4
SECTION III – PROGRAM REGULATIONS…………………………………………………………………………………4 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4 ELIGIBLE & INELGIBLE PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES………………………………………………………………………….4 APPLICANT SELECTION PROCESS………………………………………………………………………………………….…5 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT………………………………………………………………………………………………..……5
SECTION IV – MONITORING/INDEPENDENT AUDIT……………………………………………………………….5
SECTION V – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION……………………………………………………………………………..5 INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 PUBLIC RECORDS………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………5
CAP NOFA ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENT 1: APPLICATION
City of Hesperia
3 OVERVIEW
Thank you for your interest in the 202 6-2027 City of Hesperia (City) Community Assistance Program (CAP). The CAP grant program is like the CDBG Public Service Program but will not be regulated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CAP is funded through the City’s general fund and managed by the Economic Development Department. We hope that participants will find CAP a very user-friendly and easily manageable program. The City is dedicated to its residents and the continued funding of public services.
SECTION I. NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA)
The Community Assistance Program NOFA is for the 2026- 2027 fiscal year and will be available for public service programs and projects that assist Hesperia residents to pay for food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, youth services, differently abled services, seniors, and veterans. The Community Assistance Program will be funded through the City’s general fund and will not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the program year.
SECTION II. NOFA PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Interested parties will need to complete an application that will be available January 30, 2026 .
The application will be available on the City’s website, at City Hall in the Economic Development Department, and can be mailed or emailed to interested applicants. Please ensure that the application is completely filled out and that the requested docume nts are contained in your application package.
Completed applications will be accepted no later than March 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Applications will not be accepted after this date and time. Please submit your completed application and attachments addressed to:
electronic versions will NOT be accepted:
City of Hesperia
Economic Development Department
760 947-1909
9700 Seventh Avenue
Hesperia, CA 92345
City of Hesperia
4 Important Dates:
January 30, 2026 Applications available
March 13, 2026 Applications Due 5:00 p.m.
April 2, 2026 CCAC meeting 6:00 p.m.
Make recommendations to Council
Applicants to provide testimony
June 2, 2026 City Council review Committee grant approval 6:30 p.m.
SECTION III. PROGRAM REGULATIONS
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Eligible applicants should meet the following criteria:
• Be a non-profit organization with tax-exempt status
• Serve City of Hesperia residents (must meet 75% of stated unduplicated goal in application during the CAP NOFA period July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) • Be capable of providing the following documentation with the application o Copy of your current (as of 2026) Articles of Incorporation o By-laws for the organization
o Non-profit Determination Letter from the IRS for the organization o Organizational Chart for the 2026-2027 fiscal year for the program/project o List of Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 fiscal year for the program/project
Upon selection, participants will need to provide i nsurance at limits (see below) as approved by the City and stated in the contract and a copy of their City business license. The City reserves the right to review applications from organizations not classified as non-profit, tax-exempt.
ELIGIBLE & INELIGIBLE PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES
Eligible public service programs and projects include, but are not limited to, the following: food, clothing, shelter, medical needs, youth services, differently abled services, seniors and veterans.
The City reserves the right to review applications from organizations not classified as non-profit, tax-exempt.
Ineligible programs and projects include new construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, lobbying; political or religious solicitation/services; broker fees/services; illegal activities; activities that are prohibited by City Ordinance and/or Resolution; an d operations for which lack all required government agency licensing, permits, or approvals.
APPLICANT SELECTION PROCESS
All eligible applicants will be forwarded to the Hesperia City Council Advisory Committee (CCAC).
The CCAC will listen to the applicants present testimony regarding their programs during the first CCAC meeting, committee members will make their top (10) recommendations to Council. At
City of Hesperia
5 the subsequent City Council meeting, City Council will review the CCAC recommendations and approve final allocations.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Data collected on unduplicated Hesperia residents during the CAP program year will be utilized to support CDBG 202 5-2029 Consolidated Plan goals (Fair Housing Services, Public Services for Low-Income Families, Senior Services, Homeless Prevention and Special Needs Services) and will be reported in the annual CDBG Action Plan and CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report.
SECTION IV. MONITORING/INDEPENDENT AUDIT
CAP staff will perform annual monitoring. Participants are responsible to provide account ing (receipts or supporting documentation) for all funds received. The City reserves the right to conduct an independent audit.
SECTION V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Insurance shall be commensurate with the following guidelines:
Workers' Compensation - A program of Workers' Compensation insurance or a state -approved Self Insurance Program in an amount and form to meet all applicable requirements in the Labor code of the State of California, including Employer's Liability with $250,000 limits, covering all persons providing services on behalf of P articipant and all risks to such persons under this Contract.
Comprehensive General and Automobile Liability Insurance - This coverage to include contractual coverage and automobile liability coverage for owned, hired and non-owned vehicles. The policy shall be of the "per occurrence" type and have combined single limits for bodily injury and property damage of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000).
PUBLIC RECORDS
Applicants should understand that under the California Public Records Act all submitted documents, in response to this NOFA and Community Assistance Program are considered public records and will be made available to the public upon request per the Public Records Request Act, following the application deadline unless specifically excluded by law.
ATTACHMENT 4 AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE