COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chuen Wu, Assistant City Manager
DATE: April 7, 2026
SUBJECT: Support for CommUnify Head Start/Early Head Start Child Care Center
Description:
The City Council will consider support for CommUnify’s application for County of Santa Barbara Community Development Block Grant funding to establish a Head Start/Early Head Start Child Care Center, including waiver of City permitting and licensing fees.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize support for the nonprofit organization CommUnify’s grant application to the County of Santa Barbara for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to establish a Head Start/Early Head Start Child Care Center at 420 E ast Fesler Street, including a local match in the form of in-kind contributions that may include a waiver of City permitting fees; parking lot striping; and the waiver of City business licensing fees in an amount not to exceed $25,080; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND:
The nonprofit agency CommUnify (formerly the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County) has operated the Head Start program in Santa Barbara County since 1967. This program reaches up to 572 very low-income, predominantly Hispanic parents of children (ages 0 -5) enrolled in Head Start/Early Head Start centers countywide, from Carpinteria to Cuyama.
The County of Santa Barbara facilitates access to its CDBG funding through a competitive grant process. Proposed projects are s cored based on a variety of factors, with a local match contribution from the project’s host city factored into the scoring.
DISCUSSION:
CommUnify reached out to the City of Santa Maria for support, including an in-kind and/or cash contribution, for County CDBG funding to support the purchase and renovation of a building formerly used as a preschool located at 420 E ast Fesler Street in Santa Maria. 2 Once complete, the facility will be used as a licensed Head Start/Early Head Start childcare center that will serve up to 70 low -income children aged 0 -5. CommUnify has indicated that up to 60 percent of children and families served by this project will reside within the City limits of Santa Maria.
With a 59-year history providing childcare and education through the Head Start Program, experience with the social and cultural context of the Santa Maria community, and access to various additional services through the organization, CommUnify proposes to provide enhanced childcare access as well as wraparound su pport to aid families attending the proposed Fesler center.
To achieve this goal and enhance CommUnify’s application for County CDBG funding, staff proposes in -kind contributions in an amount not to exceed $25,080. Contributions may include the waiver of City permitting fees, including both Building fees and Public Works – Engineering fees; parking lot striping; and the waiver of City business licensing fees.
Alternatives
The City Council may decide to support CommUnify’s application, but abstain from financial support for the project.
The City Council may also elect not to support CommUnify’s application.
Fiscal Considerations
Up to $25,080 in permitting and licensing fee waivers and/or costs for parking lot striping.
Impact on the Community
The proposed Head Start/Early Head Start Center would provide licensed childcare for very low-income families, including up to 70 children ages 0 -5. Up to 60 percent of the children served by this project will be City residents.