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Agenda Report
March 23, 2026
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TO: hlonorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Finance Committee
FROM: Department of Housing
SUBJECT: AMEND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2026 OPERATING BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING $28,897 IN THE
GENERAL FUND AND $309,697 IN THE GENERAL FUND PROJECTS
FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT VEHICLES FOR THE
MUNICIPAL ASSISTANCE, SOLUTIONS, AND HIRING (MASH)
PROGRAM
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action herein is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
2. Amend the Housing Department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Operating Budget by appropriating $28,897 in the General Fund (101) and $309,697 in the General Fund Projects Fund (105) for the purchase of replacement vehicles for the Municipal Assistance, Solutions and hliring (MASH) program.
BACKGROUND:
The Municipal Assistance, Solutions, and Hiring (MASH) program was established in 1978 to provide essential services to the community while offering employment and job training opportunities to individuals from high-need areas. The program operates year- round and employs participants as temporary maintenance and clerical workers for up to two years. Through participation in the program, trainees gain hands-on experience and develop both technical and soft skills necessary to secure permanent employment in the public or private sector.
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MEETING OF.03/23/2026AGENDA ITEM NO.._6_
Budget Amendment for Purchase of Replacement MASH Vehicles March 23, 2026
MASH plays a critical role in supporting City operations and community well-being.
During the most recent reporting period, the program completed approximately 650 encampment abandoned-item cleanups and fulfilled more than 300 departmental work orders. These activities contribute to citywide blight removal, public health and safety, and provide meaningful workforce development opportunities for program participants.
During the Eaton Canyon Fire, several vehicles assigned to the MASH program were destroyed. These vehicles were essential to daily operations, including the transportation of crews, equipment, and materials required to perform cleanup services and respond to departmental work orders. The loss of these vehicles significantly impacted the program's operational capacity and necessitates the acquisition of replacement vehicles to restore full service delivery. These will include the following vehicles: 2-door utility truck (1 vehicle), 4-door EV crew cab with tow (3 vehicles), EV cargo van (1 vehicle), and box truck with liftgate (1 vehicle).
Through the recommended budget amendment and utilizing insurance claim proceeds received in FY 2025 and FY 2026 for vehicles lost during the Eaton Canyon Fire, replacement vehicles will be purchased to ensure that the MASH program can continue providing essential services to the community while maintaining workforce development opportunities for program participants.
COUNCIL POUCY CONSIDERATION:
The recommended actions are consistent with the City Council's strategic planning goal of maintaining fiscal responsibility and stability.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
CEQA excludes, from environmental review, actions that are not "projects" as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b).
Sections 21065 and 15378(b) define a project as an action which may cause either a direct physica; change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Section 15378 excludes from the definition of "project" government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. The actions proposed herein, amending the Housing Department's FY 2026 Operating Budget, are governmental fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment, and therefore is not a "project" as defined by CEQA. Since the action is not a project subject to CEQA, no environmental document is required. 2 Budget Amendment for Purchase of Replacement MASH Vehicles March 23, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of this action is $338,594. Approval of the recommended action will increase the hlousing Department's FY 2026 Operating Budget by appropriating $28,897 in the MASH General Fund (10116024-850500) and $309,697 in the General Fund Projects Fund (10516024-850500).
Funding for the proposed vehicle purchases will be provided through insurance claim proceeds received in FY 2025 and FY 2026 for vehicles lost during the Eaton Canyon Fire.
Ongoing operational costs, including routine maintenance, repairs, and fueling or charging expenses, will be absorbed within the MASH program's existing operating budget and addressed annually through the normal budget process.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES WONG
Director of Housing
Prepared by:
Sherreeta Whtte
Program Coordinator
Approved by:
MIGUEI^MARQUEZ
City Manager