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DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: September 2, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Luis Portillo, Director of Economic Development
Department: Economic Development
Subject: Love Your Block Year 2 Update and Proposed $150,000 General Fund Continuation of the Love Your Block
Program for Year 3 (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, Receive and file the Love Your Block Year 2 City Impact Presentation and adopt Resolution No. 2026-152:
1. Receive and file the Love Your Block Year 2 Impact Presentation;
2. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to allocate funds in the amount of $150,000 for the Love Your Block Program Year 3;
3. Authorizing the Director of Finance & Management Services to amend the FY 2026/2027 Operating Budget in the amount of $150,000 from the General Fund for the Love Your Block Program, and increasing the Economic Development Department’s revenues and expenditures budgets by $150,000 to reflect the receipt and expenditure of the program funds; and
4. Authorize the Director of Human Resources & Risk Management to increase the Economic Development Department’s authorized staffing level from twelve (12) to thirteen (13) full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to add one (1) Grants Assistant position, with a fully encumbered annual cost of $92,144.01.
City Manager's Comments
Due to the popularity of this program, I recommend that the City Council approve this item, and continue funding.
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Executive Summary
The Love Your Block Grant is designed to benefit the residents of the City of San Bernardino by creating community-led revitalization projects in collaboration with Community Based Organizations. Years 1 & 2 were funded through grant funds awarded by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) for the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation 2.0 Project (Love Your Block Grant). Establishing year three (3) would require the allocation of General Funds and the creation of one (1) new FTE within the Economic Development Department.
Background
In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation (BCPI) at Johns Hopkins University launched the Love Your Block program to help local governments strengthen neighborhoods by empowering residents to lead community improvement projects. Through technical assistance, training, and grant funding, the program supports resident-driven initiatives focused on neighborhood beautification, public art, blight reduction, and community engagement.
In December 2023, the City of San Bernardino applied to participate in the 2024-2026 Love Your Block cohort. On February 21, 2024, the City was awarded a $100,000 grant from Johns Hopkins University to implement the program over a two-year period. The grant funding supported the hiring of a Love Your Block Fellow, access to an AmeriCorps VISTA member, and the funding of resident-led neighborhood improvement projects throughout the City.
The City's Love Your Block Program was designed to empower residents to identify opportunities for improvement within their own neighborhoods and partner with the City to implement meaningful community projects. Through strategic partnerships with community-based organizations and nonprofit partners, the program provided funding, technical assistance, volunteer coordination, and project management for resident-led initiatives focused on beautification, clean-up efforts, placemaking, and public art.
During the first year of implementation, the City successfully funded eleven (11) resident-led projects throughout San Bernardino. These projects engaged 429 volunteers and residents, generated 486 volunteer hours, removed approximately 24,600 pounds of trash, and cleared nearly 6,955 square yards of blighted land.
Beyond these measurable outcomes, the program strengthened relationships between residents, neighborhood organizations, and the City while fostering greater community pride and civic engagement.
Recognizing the City's success and the staffing challenges created by national AmeriCorps funding interruptions, BCPI awarded the City an additional $60,000 in December 2025 to fully fund a second part-time Fellow position through October 31, 2026. This additional funding provided greater staffing stability and allowed the City to continue expanding community outreach and project implementation.
During the second year of the program, project efforts focused primarily along the 3 5
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Historic Route 66 corridor, supporting resident-led beautification and neighborhood improvement initiatives that enhanced public spaces while celebrating one of the City's most recognizable historic assets. Grant-funded staff coordinated outreach efforts, assisted applicants through the project development process, and worked directly with residents to successfully implement community improvement projects.
Year 2 Projects Awarded included:
Route 66 Little Free Library at Ann Shirrells Park $1,200 Downtown Mural & Clean-Ups at Court Street Square $5,000 Gateway Project Monument Sign at Villa Senor Library $5,000 Mother Road Mural at Santa Fe Depot $5,000
Connecting the Past Mural at Mt. Vernon & Baseline $5,000 St. Paul A.M.E Church Community Garden at Mt. Vernon & 21st $5,000 St. Paul A.M.E Church Community Wellness Space at Mt. Vernon & 21st
$5,000
Two City initiated projects $10,000
Total Awarded Projects $41,200
Since its inception, Love Your Block has become one of the City's most successful community engagement initiatives by leveraging resident leadership, volunteerism, and partnerships to deliver visible neighborhood improvements while strengthening trust and collaboration between the community and local government.
Discussion
The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation grant funding that established the Love Your Block Program concludes October 31, 2026. Staff is recommending the establishment of Year 3 of the Love Your Block Program utilizing General Fund resources, in the amount of $150,000.00, to ensure the continuation and expansion of this successful community engagement initiative. To avoid any disruption in programming, Year 3 would start November 1, 2026 and culminate October 31, 2027.
Since launching the program, Love Your Block has demonstrated measurable community benefits by empowering residents to take an active role in improving their neighborhoods while providing City staff with a structured framework for community engagement. The program has produced tangible neighborhood improvements, strengthened partnerships with local nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations, increased volunteer participation, and fostered stronger relationships between residents and the City.
Year 3 funding for Love Your Block would include $123,000 dedicated to staffing costs.
This amount represents the fully encumbered cost for one (1) full-time equivalent (FTE) position and one (1) part-time equivalent (PTE) position for an entire fiscal year, including applicable salaries and associated personnel costs. The requested staffing allocation will provide the Economic Development Department with the capacity necessary to administer the program, conduct ongoing community outreach, coordinate with community-based and nonprofit partners, and manage resident 3 5
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applications.
Additionally, $27,000 would be dedicated to direct program cost, including mini-grants for resident-led projects and other eligible costs necessary to support the implementation of Love Your Block activities. Collectively, the proposed $150,000 Year 3 investment would provide the staffing and direct project funding necessary to maintain the program's existing structure while expanding opportunities for residents in neighborhoods throughout the City.
Year 1 & 2 Year 3 (11/1/26 – 10/31/27)
Staffing $120,000.00 $123,000.00
Projects $40,000.00 $27,000.00
Donations $37,700.00
The proposed full-time and part-time positions would replace the (2) grant-funded Grant Assistant positions that has supported the program during its initial two years.
Establishing these positions as part of the City's ongoing program structure would provide greater continuity and stability than relying on temporary grant-funded positions. The positions would be responsible for program administration, community outreach, grant and mini-grant management, volunteer coordination, partnership development, project implementation, and performance reporting.
Under a Year Three program, Love Your Block would continue operating under the same successful model established during the grant period. Residents would continue to apply for funding to complete neighborhood improvement projects focused on beautification, blight reduction, public art, community gardens, placemaking, and other community-driven initiatives. Economic Development staff would continue providing technical assistance, project coordination, volunteer management, and oversight to ensure successful project implementation.
The continuation of the program would also allow the City to maintain and expand partnerships with community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood associations, schools, faith-based organizations, and local businesses.
These partnerships have been instrumental in recruiting volunteers, identifying community needs, leveraging additional resources, and maximizing the impact of each funded project.
General Fund support would also provide ongoing funding for resident-led project grants, allowing the City to continue investing directly in neighborhood revitalization while maintaining the momentum and community trust established during the initial grant period. By institutionalizing the Love Your Block Program, the City would continue advancing resident engagement, neighborhood revitalization, and community pride while building stronger partnerships between local government and the communities it serves.
Staff will continue to actively pursue and identify grant funding opportunities that may 3 5
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help offset or supplement General Fund contributions in future fiscal years. These efforts will support the City’s goal of leveraging outside funding sources to sustain the program while minimizing the ongoing impact to the General Fund.
Strategic Goals and Priorities
This project is consistent with Goal No. 3 Improved Quality of Life. Participation in the Love Your Block Grant will improve the City’s appearance, cleanliness, and attractiveness through the proposed community-led revitalization projects.
Fiscal Impact
The proposed Year 3 of the Love Your Block program requires $150,000 from the General Fund. Funds will need to be allocated from the General Fund to the FY 2026/27 Operating Budget for Economic Development to fund this program.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, Receive and file the Love Your Block Year 2 City Impact Presentation and adopt Resolution No. 2026-152:
5. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to allocate funds in the amount of $150,000 for the Love Your Block Program Year 3;
6. Authorizing the Director of Finance & Management Services to amend the FY 2026/2027 Operating Budget in the amount of $150,000 from the General Fund for the Love Your Block Program, and increasing the Economic Development Department’s revenues and expenditures budgets by $150,000 to reflect the receipt and expenditure of the program funds; and
7. Authorize the Director of Human Resources & Risk Management to increase the Economic Development Department’s authorized staffing level from twelve (12) to thirteen (13) full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to add one (1) Grants Assistant position, with a fully encumbered annual cost of $92,144.01.
Attachments
1. Love Your Block Power Point Presentation
2. Resolution No. 2026-152
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
On September 18, 2024, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024- 204, authorizing the city manager, or designee, to accept grant award funds in the amount of $100,000 for the Bloomberg Center of Public Innovation 2.0 Project (Love Your Block Grant); and authorizing the city manager, or designee, to execute a subaward agreement and any subsequent amendments with Johns Hopkins University 3 5
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(JHU) for the Bloomberg Center of Public Innovation 2.0 Project (Love Your Block Grant) to carry out the service deliverables for the period of May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2026; and authorizing the director of finance & management services to amend and appropriate the $100,000 for the Love Your Block Grant Award in both revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 2024-2025 & 2025-2026 operating budget.
On December 17, 2025, the Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025- 403, authorizing the city manager, or designee, to accept additional grant award funds in the amount of $60,000 for the Bloomberg Center of Public Innovation 2.0 Project (Love Your Block Grant); and authorizing the city manager, or designee, to execute amendment #1 to the subaward agreement with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) for the Bloomberg Center of Public Innovation 2.0 Project (Love Your Block Grant) to extend the service deliverables to October 31, 2026; and authorizing the director of finance & management services to amend and appropriate the $60,000 for the Love Your Block Grant Award in both revenues and expenditures for fiscal year 2025-2026 & 2026-2027 operating budget.
CC:
Eric Levitt, City Manager