Na lu n go Co n le y, Assista n t City
Manager
F i nance D epartment
Cre a t ion of a Cou n cil
B udget & F i nance A d -
Hoc S ub C ommittee
Background
• C i ty C ounci l at thei r regul ar meeti ng on J une 24, 2025 expressed i nterest i n formi ng an A d -Hoc C ommittee to strengthen oversi ght and support focused
de libe ra t ion of t h e Cit y’ s fin a n cia l m a t t e rs • On A ugust 5 th , 2025 Cit y Cou n cil ga ve dire ct ion t o st a ff to prepare a report for the formation of the S ub -
Com m it t e e wit h spe cific dire ct ion on t h e du t ie s, durati on and number of members
R ecommendations
1. A pprove the creati on of an A d- Hoc Su b -C ommi ttee formed of no more than three ( 3) members of the C i ty C ounci l appoi nted by the Mayor wi th the consent of the majority
2. A pprove the term of the A d- Hoc Su b -C ommi ttee for 1 year ( Nov ember 2025- Fall of 2026)
3. A pprove the fol l owi ng tasks that the A d- Hoc Su b -Co m m itte e will b e responsi bl e for:
a . Re vie win g the procedures and ti mel i ne of the C i ty’ s budget process
b. Discuss creating a citizens committee to be brought back to City C ounci l i ncl udi ng ti mi ng and publ i c engagement for FY 2026-27’ s budget process
c. Wo rk d ire ctly with Me a su re P Ove rsigh t Co m m itte e to re vie w and consi der thei r recommendati ons for establ i shi ng procedures for Measure P fundi ng rel ated to the budget d. Discuss fin a n cia l stra te gie s re la tin g to th e lo n g-ra n ge fin a n cia l pl an and how C i ty C ounci l wi l l make recommendati ons regardi ng same .
CON TACT(S)
Na lu n go Co n le y, Assista n t City
Manager
Na lu n go .Co n le y@cityo fva lle jo .n e t
PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING INCREASED ASSESSMENT IN THE VALLEJO TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND THE LEVYING AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION CHANGING THE DATE OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGGillian Haen, Assistant City Manager/Interim Economic Development DirectorAnnette Taylor, Senior Community Development Analyst, Economic Development Department BACKGROUND•2003–City of Vallejo reduced funding to the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau (VCVB).–VCVB requested the City establish a Vallejo Tourism Business Improvement District (VTBID).•2004–City Council adopted an Ordinance establishing the VTBID to levy and collect assessments within the District.–Assessments were levied on all local hotels (lodging facilities)•$1.00 per room/night for hotels with more than 40 rooms•$0.50 per room/night for hotels with less than 40 rooms BACKGROUND (CONTINUED)•2007–City of Vallejo completely eliminated its funding to VCVB.–VCVB requested to increase the VTBID assessment.–City Council adopted a resolution approving the increase in assessments.•$1.00 to $2.00 per room/night for hotels with more that 40 rooms•$0.50 to $1.00 per room/night for hotels with less than 40 rooms.
BACKGROUND (CONTINUED)•2025–VCVB requested an increase in the VTBID assessments.–The proposed increase is $0.50 per room/night to the existing VTBID effective January 1, 2026•$2.50 per room/night for hotels with more than 40 rooms•$1.50 per room/night for hotels with 40 rooms or less–Plus an additional $0.50 per room/night increase effective January 1, 2027•$3.00 per room/night for hotels with more than 40 rooms•$2.00 per room/night for hotels with 40 room or less.•Goal of increase is to responsibly scale VCVB’s funding capacity to meet the rising costs and expanded efforts.•Proposed increased assessment ~ $57,031 for FY 2025-26, assuming January 1, 2026, effective date, and for FY 2026-27 ~ $114,063, for a two-year total of $228,126 BACKGROUND (CONTINUED)•On October 14, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-173 N.C. declaring the City’s Council’s intention to increase the assessments in the VTBID and to levy and collect assessments within the District.•On October 17, 2025, the Notice of Proposed Assessment Increase and Dates for the Public Meeting and Public Hearing and Protest for the VTBID and a copy of the Resolution No. 25-173 N.C. were mailed to the 22 hotels.•On October 21, 2025, Kirk Smith, President & CEO of VCVB, convened a Vallejo Lodging Committee meeting to provide an update on the City Council’s action and the VTBID modification.
COUNCIL ACTION•Hold public meeting.•Adopt the resolution changing the Public Hearing date to December 9, 2025.
CONTACT(S)
Gillian Haen, Assistant City Manager/Interim Economic Development [email protected] Taylor, Senior Community Development Analyst, Economic Development [email protected] Andrew Murray City Manager
Discussion and Direction on City Council 2025 Goal Setting ProcessNovember 4, 2025 Background•As best practice, governing boards routinely review and update organizations goals.•The Vallejo Municipal Code (Section 2.02.160) provides direction regarding goal setting:–The council shall at a regular meeting, or special meeting called for that purpose, and as soon as feasible after its annual reorganization meeting each year, determine its goals and the relative priority of such goals to which city staff and resources are to be committed for their accomplishment. The council may conduct such additional meetings on its goals throughout the year as deemed necessary or advisable.
Background (Cont’d)•During goal setting, Council can also discuss the mission, vision, and values for the organization.•Over the past few years, Council has met for goal setting early in the year (February, March, April) for a one-day goal setting held offsite, which was facilitated by a consultant.–The 2024 goal setting meeting was instead used as a team building for Council and senior staff.•Goal setting has also included Council training and team building and detailed work planning. •In some past years, goal setting and work planning were two-day processes.
Background (Cont’d)•City staff sought Council’s direction at a Council meeting on February 11, 2025 regarding the 2025 goal setting process.•The City tentatively scheduled a one-day goal setting meeting for September 2, 2025.•The September 2, 2025 meeting was cancelled so that staff could receive additional specific, formal direction from a majority of the Council on the elements of the 2025 goal setting process.
Next Steps•Staff is requesting direction on the following to arrange the 2025 goal setting meeting(s):1.Location;2.Number of sessions, date(s), and time(s);3.Facilitator;4.Whether or not to address mission, vision, and values (in addition to goals);5.Whether to incorporate Council training and team building;6.Whether to identify specific strategies/projects related to goals and how to address City Council referrals that are special projects and staff-identified special projects to improve organizational effectiveness;7.Whether to identify specific performance measures related to goals and strategies/projects;8.What materials staff should prepare in advance;9.How to incorporate public input;10.Process for selecting facilitator; and11.Timeline for implementing goal setting
CONTACT(S)
Andrew MurrayCity Manager
Jason AckleyAssistant to the City Manager
Updated for 10.28.2025
Discussion on Council Referrals & Scoping
Status of ReferralsThere are currently …•1referral not yet scoped (from Sept 9th)•4 referrals awaiting implementation•16referrals currently being implemented by staff•22referrals scoped and awaiting Council direction•15 referrals marked as “completed” Not Yet Scoped Items = the 51new item from September 9th *We’re waiting to hear back from Finance on this item.
•Review/Discuss Council Travel & Attendance Policy•Provide Quarterly reports on Measure P , B/V Funds*•Strategic Plan/Comprehensive Plan and process for Safe Streets (to refer to Public Safety Committee)•Discussion of abandoned vehicle program•Report on Franchise Agreement w/Recology to better understand potential city-wide cleanup program Staff are Implementing:•These are items that Council requested, staff scoped, and we are working toward completing(example: Explore Sale of the Herbert House)•And items that staff were going to do anyway(such as a Long-Term Financial Plan) Staff are Implementing:•Mare Island CFD/MISTEA (to return w/ Specific Plan FY26/27)•Create council ad-hoc committee to review City Charter•Create council ad-hoc committee to revise VMC Chapter 2.02 related to Council meetings/rules/procedures•Sale of Herbert House•Additional Red-light enforcement cameras•Consideration of increasing fines, penalties, impoundment rules & other deterrents to Sideshow activities•City-wide Performance Audit•Whistleblowing Policy/Program•Discussion/Consideration of Vision Zero Policy•Long-Term Financial Plan•Reduction of speeds in school sites & business districts (w/ AB-22)•Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO)•Branded Campaign to bring back & celebrate Vallejo businesses•Council action to present Alarm Ordinance (returning in October)•SAB: make meetings monthly + agendize ordinance change Awaiting Implementation:•Security Services Pilot Program–Contract was approved on 10/14 Agenda–Can now move forward with pilot program •Boards/Commissions/Committees Review & Report–Report to Council 10/14–Staff working w/ Consultant on next steps•Closed Session reviews of:–City Manager’s Performance Evaluation–City Attorney’s Performance Evaluation CompletedItems:•Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance•Options for Safe RV/Vehicle Locations & NGO Partnerships•Establish 2-person Council ad-hoc subcommittee on collaborative reforms•Request CalDOJcontinue partnership in collaborative reform efforts•Agendize Marina condition issues•Dispatch move update•Building Permit Fee Waivers (those experiencing thefts) grant program•Audit of Broadway Project•Creation of a Public Safety Committee•Update on permitting process with PDS & ways to improve•Update on status of Sheriff’s Office negotiations•Update on Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians casino project•Update on City’s Disaster Preparedness•Public Safety Workshop•Council consider adding Mare Island Preserve to federal gov’t (Garamendi’s Bill) Scoped and Awaiting Council Direction:•These are items requested by Council that were scoped by senior staff.•Scopes are often high-level estimates based on current information, and subject to change as staff learn more.•Consulting hours (and fees) can at times be swapped out for some of the staff time requirements on items.
Scoped & Awaiting Council Direction:•Short-term Rental Ordinance (Air BnB, VRBO)•Analysis/presentation: Condo/Apartment conversion ordinance•Discussion on building permit fees for low-income housing•Study Session on “how to help” non-profits•Consider placing moratorium on Mills Act requests until program in place•Discuss rebranding of VPD•Policy to support Vallejo Community Land Trust; tenant protections; just cause eviction protection; rent stabilization•Ordinance for COV not taking a position on international conflicts•Provide quarterly reports on Housing & Public Works Projects•Create short-term economic development strategy for downtown•Connolly Corridor/Mare Island Company update1 of 2 Scoped & Awaiting Council Direction:•Creation of a Sonoma Blvd. Ad-hoc Committee•Sperry Mills Site update•California Forever/Mare Island Navy Shipyard / SHIPS Act discussion•Red Light Abatement Act Ordinance •Update for Social Nuisance Ordinance•Recognize, monthly, acknowledgement of staff & their work•Economic activity activation Plan for downtown, waterfront & marina areas•Include response times, including IHART in Public Safety Staffing Emergency •Review/Discuss Council Travel Policy•Discussion on abandoned vehicle program•Report on Franchise Agreement w/ Recology (re: city-wide cleaning program) 2 of 2
Next Steps:•City staff seek Council direction on whether to move forward with any of the scoped referrals.•Staff recommends Council Goal Setting as an opportunity to more deeply discuss Council referrals and how they tie to goals.
CONTACT(S)
Jason AckleyAssistant to the City [email protected]
CITY OF VALLEJO
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
MEETING
October 28, 2025
Information A -25/26 CDBG
Community Development Block
Grant and Fair Housing Advocates of
Northern California Update
Alicia M. Jones, Housing Director
Community Development Block Grant
AGENDA:
Background
CDBG and public services
Monitoring requirements and Challenges
Direct Award – Fair Housing Advocates of Northern
California (FHANC)
Community Development Block Grant
Background: Funding and allocations
Outlined in 2025 – 2030 ConPlan
Annual Action Plan FY 2025-2026
CDBG Grant: 15 percent of grant must be allocated for public service.
Direct award vs. RFP
• Contractor service: RFP
• Sub-recipients – HUD do not require RFP , and grant can be a direct award.
Community Development Block Grant
Requirements of Grantee:
• Monitor sub-recipients on services provided,
program compliance and financial management of
grant funds received.
• Train Non-Profits organizations on application and
program requirements.
Historically selected 4 to 5 sub-recipients through an RFP application process for public services.
Challenges: Staffing
Community Development Block Grant
Selected sub-recipient:
Direct award to Fair Housing Advocates of Northen
California (FHANC): $45,000
Purpose:
Alignment with 2023-2031 Housing Element:
o Goal F - Program F.1.1.1 (Housing Discrimination
Monitoring and Referral Program)
“Improve Housing Choice and Access to Opportunities
for Vallejo Residents.”
Offering fair housing services to Vallejo residents and a sub-recipient of CDBG grants more than five years.
Conclusion:
FY 2025-26 CDBG balance after award: $991,521
CDBG must be used on eligible activities and activity
must align with the National Objectives.
Goals as outlined in ConPlan and FY2025-26 Annual Action Plan was previously approved by Council in July 2025.
CONTACT(S)
Alicia M. Jones
707-648-4507
[email protected]
Fair Housing Advocates of Northern CaliforniaEnsuring Housing Equity, Opportunity, and Stability City of Vallejo
Mission Statement
◉FHANC’s mission is to ensure equal housing opportunityand to educate the community on the value of diversity in our neighborhoods What is fair housing?◉Fair HousingØThe right to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination (discrimination based on protected classes)◉Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH)ØTo take meaningful, proactive actions to address historical patterns of segregation and discrimination to foster inclusive, balanced communities where everyone has access to housing opportunity, regardless of protected characteristics FHANC’s General Services◉Services for individualsØFair housing information & education (trainings & materials)ØFair housing intake, counseling, investigation & advocacy Foreclosure prevention & pre-purchase counseling & education◉Services for the housing industryØInformation & education, including specialized trainings◉Services for the communityØTrainings for service providers and government staffØSystemic audits to determine compliance with fair housing lawsØAdvocacy for integrated, accessible, and affordable housing for all Fair Housing Services in Vallejo
Who FHANC Serves◉In the previous three grant years, of the Vallejo residents who contacted FHANC for assistance:Ø50% were Black; 26% were LatinxØ53% had a mental and/or physical disability; 18% were seniorsØ83% were womenØ41% had minor children in the homeØ28% had a housing subsidy such as a Section 8 voucherØ91% were low income or below Fair Housing Counseling◉Provides comprehensive fair housing services to clients in all protected classesØComplaint intake, education, referral, testing, advocacy, and enforcement activities◉800 households (2000 individuals) served since 2017Ø111 households served in FY24-25◉270 alleged housing discriminationØRace/color, disability, source of income, gender/sex, national origin, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, age Disability Advocacy◉Assists clients with disabilities in requesting reasonable accommodations/ modifications from housing providers ØRA –change in a landlord/ HOA/ PHA policy necessary for a disabled to tenant to use/access housingØRM –physical changes to a unit necessary to make housing accessible for a person with disabilities◉Assisted 47 clients in requesting RA/RMs since 2017Ø40 granted/pending, including: evictions stopped, tenancies extended, unit transfers, assistance animals, mold remediation Investigations & Testing◉Recruits, trains and hires ”testers” to investigate housing discrimination by covertly posing as prospective tenants◉Conducts rigorous complaint based & audit testingØComplaint Test -a test conducted to corroborate (or refute) existing evidence of discriminatory practicesØTesting Audit –a controlled and systematic way to assess compliance with fair housing in a housing market by using testers to determine how people with protected characteristics are treated in the rental/lending process Investigations & Testing◉Complaint Tests Ø24 tests since 2020; 15 revealed evidence of discrimination •Disability (2); Familial Status (4); Race (8); Source of Income (11)◉Audit TestsØ76 since 2020; 36 revealed evidence of discrimination•Rental Audits: FY20-21 Disability (5); FY21-22 Race/SOI (20); FY22-23 Familial Status/ National Origin (10); FY22-23 Domestic Violence (1); FY 23-24 Race/ Criminal History (16); FY 24-25 Familial Status/SOI (12)•Lending/ Appraisal Audits: 2020 Maternity Leave (Gender/Familial Status)/ Race/ National Origin Lending (4); 2022 Race/Appraisals (8) Administrative Complaints/ Litigation◉Files and represents clients in administrative complaints with HUD and the CA Civil Rights Department (CRD)ØComplaints filed on behalf of clients alleging discrimination to get redress for clients (monetary awards) and change discriminatory policiesØComplaints filed on behalf of FHANC to get policy changes, ensure fair housing training for landlords, prevent future discrimination by that landlord (through monetary settlements), and publicize case to bring attention to the issueØ15 Admin Complaints/ Lawsuits filed in Solano County Education & Outreach◉Conducts trainings for housing providers, tenants, housing authority & jurisdictional staffØFair Housing Law & Practice seminars for VHAØFair Housing Know-Your-Rights trainings for tenantsØAnnual Fair Housing Conference •2025 –focused on strategies to advance housing equity, revitalize fair housing efforts, and address systemic barriers; over 200 attendees ØAnnual Conference on Reasonable AccommodationsØOther trainings as requested Education and Outreach◉Creates and distributes fair housing materials/ literatureØ40-page Tenant Rights’ Booklets; Brochures highlighting fair housing protections based on national origin, race/color, disability, sex/gender, familial status, source of income, etc.ØDistributes through community partners◉Conducts educational campaigns/PSAs through social media, email, radio, and other mediums◉Engages in policy advocacy and community meetings/ forums to advance fair housing and AFFH Impact of Services
Impacts◉Individual Impacts –One-on-One Advocacy/ CounselingØHousing stabilization and homelessness preventionØExpanded access to safe, habitable, affordable housingØDiscrimination addressed◉Systemic impacts –Policy Advocacy & Case OutcomesØExpanded access to rental housing for hundreds of low-income residentsØSignals to landlords that fair housing is enforced Recent Case Impact –Race & Source of Income ◉Black Section 8 voucher holder denied housing ØClient left homeless for months due to landlord’s illegal policyØTesting confirmed discriminationØFHANC represented client in CRD complaint ◉OutcomeØ$37,000 settlement + landlord policy reform and trainingØClient stably housedØMessage sent to landlords that fair housing is still enforced Recent Case Impact –Disability & Race ◉Black tenant forced from unsafe housing due to moldØBlack mold (confirmed by code enforcement) severely worsened her asthma and landlord refused to abate itØClient alleged harassment due to race & disability and FHANC filed a complaint◉OutcomeØ$39,000 settlement & family able to move into safe, stable housingØLandlord will receive fair housing training –opening opportunities for additional tenants Recent Case Impacts –Criminal History Screenings◉Testing audit found widespread use of discriminatory criminal background checks at 30 rental propertiesØFHANC filed a CRD complaint against a large landlordØSettlement: $27,000 + policy overhaul statewideØThousands of units now accessible to Black & Latinx applicants◉Next steps:ØOngoing case against Vallejo landlord using similar discriminatory policiesØWorking toward same systemic reform locally Recent Case Impacts◉Settled a case against Fannie Mae in 2022 ØAlleged race and national origin discrimination for their failure to maintain and market foreclosed properties in neighborhoods of color compared to white neighborhoods◉Outcome Ø$790K to reinvest in the Vallejo-Fairfield MSA to support neighborhood revitalization efforts, including $300,000 toward downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers in SolanoØ2 other lawsuits still pending will hopefully result in similar outcomes Critical Need for Services
Barriers to Fair Housing◉Vallejo residents face disproportionate barriers to housing choice/stability:ØHigh rates of residential segregation & poverty tracts•Vallejo is entirely in a “low-resource area” (RHNA)ØHigh rates of housing/lending discrimination complaints◉Federal government retreating from civil rights enforcement; without local support:ØMore residents will lose housing or remain homelessØDiscrimination will go unchallenged High Rates of Discrimination◉Race/Color DiscriminationØSince 2017 FHANC has received 147 Solano complaints of race discrimination (69 from Vallejo) Ø2024 -50% of Solano landlords tested treated Black testers less favorably than white testers•90% had criminal record screening policies that overly exclude Black/Latinx tenantsØ2022 -59% of Solano tests revealed evidence of discrimination based on race and/or source of income •32% showed evidence of race discrimination High Rates of Discrimination◉National Origin/ Immigration StatusØSince 2017, FHANC received 47 Solano complaints of national origin/ immigration status discrimination (19 from Vallejo) •Most often discrimination against Latinx tenantsØ2023 -47% of Solano tests revealed evidence of national origin and/or familial status discrimination•24% reveled evidence of national origin discriminationØ2020 -81% of Solano tests revealed evidence national origin and/or source of income discrimination•27% revealed evidence of national origin discrimination –the highest of all three counties tested High Rates of Discrimination◉Source of Income DiscriminationØSince 2017, FHANC received 52 Solano complaints of source of income discrimination (22 from Vallejo) •Usually related to landlords refusing to accept Section 8Ø2025 -55% of Solano tests revealed evidence source of income discriminationØ2022 -59% of Solano tests revealed evidence of discrimination based on source of income and/or race •44% showed evidence of source of income discrimination High Rates of Discrimination◉Familial StatusØSince 2017, FHANC received 36 Solano complaints of source of income discrimination (12 from Vallejo) Ø2025 -55% of Solano tests revealed evidence familial status and/or source of income discrimination•10% treated families with children less favorablyØ2023 -47% of Solano tests revealed evidence of familial status and/or national origin discrimination•25% reveled evidence of familial status discrimination High Rates of Discrimination◉DisabilityØSince 2017, FHANC received 439 Solano complaints of disability discrimination (or need for reasonable accommodations) (187from Vallejo) •By far the most of any protected class!Ø2021 -46% of Solano landlords tested refused to make reasonable accommodations to allow assistance animals in “no pets” buildings for prospective tenants with disabilities AFFH Obligations◉The City of Vallejo has an affirmative obligation to administer its housing and community development programs in a manner to AFFHØTake meaningful actions to address segregation and disparities in access to opportunity, including ensuring residents have access to fair housing services, including counseling, education, investigation, and advocacyØContinuing to contract with FHANC to deliver fair housing services is a concrete and impactful way for the City to meet its obligation to AFFH Consolidated Plan◉FY 2025-29 Draft Consolidated Plan states:ØCDBG funds will be distributed to Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California to provide fair housing servicesØVallejo anticipates contracting with FHANC to facilitate education and homebuyer counseling programs•While not part of previous CDBG contracts, FHANC has the capacity and experience in this area and is willing to contact with the City to provide homebuyer and/or foreclosure prevention counseling and education services Any questions?Thank you!
851 Irwin Street, Suite 218San Rafael, CA 94901(415) 457-5025 Fair Housing Advocatesof Northern California
www.fairhousingnorcal.org •[email protected]
Broadway Village Project Update
Natalie Peterson, Assistant to the City Manager
October 28, 2025
Broadway Project Background•Location: 2441 Broadway•47 Permanent Supportive Housing Units •Roughly 90% complete•Partners:–Developer: Firm Foundation–Operator: Shelter Inc. •Firm Foundation –current property owners (through construction)•City to take ownership at end of construction for anticipated future sale/transfer to affordable housing nonprofit organization
Lease-up & Timeline •Lease & operator agreement has been signed by Firm & Shelter •Consultant for lease-up assistance has been hired -Allecca•Alleccaestimates at least 60 days to lease-up 47 units •Goal lease-up date: 12/31/2025 •HAP contract begins 12/1/2025
Lease-ups •Resource Connect Solano (coordinated entry) has 43 document ready individuals •Working with other individuals to become document ready •Alleccawill help expediate lease-up process •Nav Center –helping participants on-site become document ready Updates•Funding –Opioid funding will cover operations now until 12/1/25 –HAP funding will begin 12/1/25 –Staff will return to Council for Opioid Agreement amendment to move funds from operations to cover hold over time –Hold over costs continue to accumulate; budget/funding update will come to Council at a future meeting •Delays–Water line broke in manager’s unit –Insurance Issues
CONTACT(S)
Gillian Haen, Assistant City Manager [email protected] Peterson, Assistant to the City Manager [email protected]