CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
March 16, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Meg McWade, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF MOU WITH POMONA HOPE TO OPERATE THE “COMMUNITY GARDEN” PROJECT AND RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FY 2025-26 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET BY ADDING A DONATION OF $10,000 TO THE “COMMUNITY GARDEN” PROJECT RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pomona Hope for the operation of the Community Garden located at 192 E. Center Street in Pomona; and Approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-25 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, TO AMEND THE FY 2025-26 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET BY ACCEPTING, INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATING A DONATION OF $10,000 TO WORKTAG: PROJECT 71114 COMMUNITY GARDEN, FD428, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) | CC2590 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) | RC087 DONATIONS; and Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the MOU and any subsequent amendments or agreements related to the Community Garden EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Approval of Resolution No. 2026-25 (Attachment No. 1) will appropriate a $10,000 donation provided by God’s Pantry, as the fiscal agent for the Pomona 5K&10K, to the “Community Garden” Project to provide for additional funding for lumber and associated materials to construct the garden. Approval of the MOU with Pomona Hope (Attachment No. 2) will allow Pomona Hope to act as operator of the “Community Garden” p(Project), located at 192 E. Center Street in Pomona.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Project was included in the adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2025-26 Budget. Approval of this action will provide an additional donation of $10,000 to the Project. The following table details the fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions:
Category
“Community Garden,” FD428, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) | CC2590 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) | Project No. 71114 Beginning Project Budget
$100,000
Appropriation of Donation from 5K&10K Proceeds to RG087 $10,000
Revised Budget
$110,000
Expenditures/Encumbrances
(as February 24, 2026)
($56,930)
Available Budget Remaining
$53,070
DISCUSSION:
The “Community Garden,” FD428, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) | CC2590 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) | Project No.71114 provides for the construction of a community garden on 192 E. Center Street. This project is primarily funded with Safe Clean Water (Measure W) funding. The Project enables community-supported healthy eating, active living, education initiatives, and the building of accessory structures to support the community garden. The garden will have 24 ground-level planters and 19 raised planters to be planted by the community.
Approval of the first action will allow the City to enter into an MOU with Pomona Hope to operate the garden. As Operator, Pomona Hope will:
Coordinate parcel assignments for community members.
Manage financial transactions such as fee collections and maintenance of financial records.
Manage all garden documentation and records.
Coordinate and perform regular maintenance and basic landscaping.
Educate gardeners on composting practices and manage compost collection.
Maintain garden infrastructure by conducting monthly inspections.
Schedule, oversee, and fund garden repairs.
Monitor and maintain the irrigation system and troubleshoot watering issues and make necessary repairs.
Promote the garden within the community.
Develop and implement garden rules and address violations.
Maintain communication with City on any garden/project-related matters.
Promote increased consumption of healthy food and beverages through community gardens.
Educate citizens regarding fresh, healthy food access to develop increased awareness, knowledge, skills, motivation and utilization among community members around healthy eating and active living.
Approval of the second action allows for the acceptance of a $10,000 donation from God’s Pantry to help fund the improvements that were necessary to complete the Garden.
Prepared by:
Shandy Dittman, Public Works Fiscal and Project Manager ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2026-25
Attachment No. 2 – Memorandum of Understanding with Pomona Hope Approval of MOU with Pomona Hope to Operate the “Community Garden” Project and Resolution to Amend the FY 2025-26 CIP Budget by Adding a Donation of $10,000 to the “Community Garden” Project