CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
February 26, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted By: Mark Gluba, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT with god’s pantry; AND EXECUTION OF An AGREEMENT WITH THE INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGICAL CIVILIZATION relating to the implementation of the california violence intervention and prevention grant (cALvip) RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Amend the approved two-and-a-half year agreement with God’s Pantry in the amount not to exceed $860,000 including the hiring of a Violence Intervention Manager to provide supervision for Neighborhood Change Agents (NCA’s); and oversee the implementation of the Peacemaker Fellowship program.
Approve a sole source extension for CalVIP grant coordinating and reporting services to the Institute of Ecological Civilization (EcoCiv) not to exceed $87,750.
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement and any extensions, subsequent changes, or amendments thereto, on behalf of the City, subject to review and approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
God’s Pantry will assign a full-time employee to serve as the Violence Intervention Manager to provide supervision for the NCA’s and oversee the Peacemaker Fellowship program operations. The compensation for the Violence Intervention Manager amounts to $260,000, while the remaining $600,000 will be allocated towards monthly allowances for participants.
The City aims to retain the expertise of Ms. Megan Anderson, a dedicated member of the EcoCiv team, through part-time consulting administrative services for the remainder of the grant cycle.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the agreement of God’s Pantry in the amount not to exceed $860,000; and funding for the agreement with the Institute of Ecological Civilization not to exceed $87,750; TOTAL COST of $947,750 is available in the CalVIP Fund under controllable contract services to cover expenses (188-0900-52285-00000).
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On July 18, 2022, the City Council accepted and appropriated $5,144,940 of CalVIP Grant.
On January 9, 2023, the City Council approved a two-and-a-half-year agreement with EcoCiv in the amount not to exceed $458,000 for technical assistance relating to the implementation of the CalVIP Grant.
On January 23, 2023, the City Council approved a two-and-a-half-year agreement with Safe Passages/Advance Peace in the amount not to exceed $450,000 for the implementation of the CalVIP Grant.
On April 17, 2023, the City Council approved the classifications of Violence Prevention Manager and Violence Prevention Senior Analyst positions to assist with the implementation of the goals and management of program objectives related to the CalVIP Grant.
On August 21, 2023, the City Council approved a two-and-a-half agreement with EcoCiv in the amount not to exceed $155,000, for project monitoring, evaluation, and creation of the Local Evaluation Plan and Final Evaluation Report. The City Council also approved a two-and-a-half agreement with God’s Pantry in the amount not to exceed $270,000 to manage the street outreach component of CalVIP (Attachment No. 1).
On December 4, 2023, the City Council approved a twenty-month agreement with Just Us 4 Youth (JU4Y) in the amount not to exceed $200,000 for support and services relating to the implementation of the CalVIP Grant.
DISCUSSION:
On June 9, 2022, the City of Pomona was notified by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) of an award amounting to $5,144,940 through the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) Grant Program Funds. The Pomona Partnership for Violence Prevention, which consists of the City’s newly formed Violence Prevention Division, the Pomona Police Department, and collaborating community agencies, will focus on CalVIP strategies on the three aspects of community need. Those strategies are as follows:
1. Those individuals who are at extraordinary risk of violence and incarceration, and who struggle with multiple negative factors;
2. On surrounding local communities that have been traumatized by violence, resulting in a lack of social cohesion; and
3. The historic relationships and conditions in the community exacerbated by COVID-19, require systemic change and a cultural shift in the relations between the community and law enforcement.
The four neighborhoods specifically focused for service will be the West Grove/District 1, Angela Street and Chanslor Street area, the Abbey Street and Karesh Street area, and the area near Pomona High School, with other areas included as appropriate. In light of these challenges, the Partnership for Violence Prevention seeks to improve public health and safety by employing effective violence reduction initiatives in the City of Pomona. At the same time, the Partnership plans to improve both the lives of high-risk individuals and community social cohesion as well as community-police relations.
The grant and the grant budget specify a series of roles to be carried out by community-based organizations (CBO’s). God’s Pantry will employ (1) Violence Intervention Manager who will provide supervision to the NCA’s and ensure they are implementing the ‘Seven Daily Touchpoints’ that provide developmental and healing resources to enrolled participants. The Violence Intervention Manager will oversee the Peacemaker Fellowship operation, administer intakes, and distribute monthly allowances to participants. The Violence Intervention Manager will work with CalVIP partners to coordinate referral services, provide warm handoffs, attend all CalVIP-related meetings, and report on services provided to participants and families to be included in CalVIP quarterly reports. The compensation for the Violence Intervention Manager amounts to $260,000, while the remaining $600,000 will be allocated towards monthly allowances for participants. (Attachment No. 2).
The City of Pomona engaged the EcoCiv as a consultant to facilitate the initial stages of grant implementation. This strategic partnership allowed EcoCiv to assume vital responsibilities until the recruitment and hiring of a permanent Manager and Senior Analyst for the Office of Violence Prevention and Neighborhood Wellbeing (OVP).
As the City progresses in its commitment to violence prevention, OVP staff recognizes the exceptional value brought by EcoCiv’s professional services. To maintain the continuity of our impactful efforts, the City aims to retain the expertise of Ms. Megan Anderson, a dedicated member of the EcoCiv team, through part-time consulting services for the remainder of the grant cycle. This budget modification was reviewed and approved by BSCC.
In pursuit of continuity and optimal performance in grant management, the Office of Violence Prevention and Neighborhood Wellbeing (OVP) seeks an extension of the existing 2022 contract with EcoCiv. Specifically, we propose the ongoing collaboration with Ms. Megan Anderson from EcoCiv, whose exceptional proficiency in data collection for quarterly reports has been invaluable.
Megan Anderson provides key technical expertise specific to BSCC not readily available in the open market. Furthermore, her establishment of a productive working relationship with BSCC has proven instrumental in ensuring seamless communication and adherence to stipulated grant guidelines.
Given Ms. Anderson's pivotal role in our ongoing grant management success, the OVP recommends City Council authorization for the City Manager or her designee to engage in a contract agreement for the continuation of professional services with EcoCiv until the culmination of the grant cycle. This decision aligns with our dedication to achieving the objectives outlined in the grant and ensures a seamless transition as we continue working towards a safer and more secure community (Attachment No. 3).
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS: This item supports the 2021 City Council Priority No. 4 – Safe and Clean Community; Goal N – Take actions to eliminate prostitution, human trafficking, and gang-related violence.
Prepared by:
Vanessa Moreno
Senior Analyst - Office of Violence Prevention
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment 1 – August 21, 2023 Staff Report
Attachment 2 – God’s Pantry Scope of Work
Attachment 3 – EcoCiv/Megan Anderson's Scope of Work
CalVIP Agreement with God’s Pantry and the Institute of Ecological Civilization