Item No. 12.
STAFF REPORT
DATE: September 14, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dr. Sean M. Moore, City Manager
PREPARED
BY: Megan Wolfe, Director of Community Services
SUBJECT. 2026 Make A Difference Day
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Discuss Make a Difference Day; and
2. Provide further direction to staff.
BACKGROUNDIDISCUSSION:
Mayor Venable requested that staff place an item on the City Council agenda to discuss Make A Difference Day.
For more than 14 years, the City of Yucaipa participated in Make a Difference Day, a nationwide day of community service traditionally held on the fourth Saturday in October. Make a Difference Day provided residents, service groups, and volunteers with opportunities to participate in projects intended to improve and beautify the community.
Historically, the City's Community Services and Public Works Departments coordinated the event, including identification and organization of projects, volunteer coordination, supplies, equipment, promotion, and other logistical support.
As part of the City's efforts to address its financial condition, funding for Make a Difference Day was eliminated from the City's budget beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-26. As a result, the City did not budget funding or staff resources to coordinate a City -sponsored Make a Difference Day event.
The City Manager recently met with the Chairpersons of the Park and Recreation Commission, Healthy Yucaipa Committee, and Trails and Open Space Committee to discuss several items, including Make a Difference Day.
During the discussion, it was explained that the City is not currently budgeted to sponsor or administer Make a Difference Day. A recommended option suggested by the City Manager was applying for a special event permit through the Community Services Department. However, there continued to be interest among members of the City's commissions and committees in identifying whether Make a Difference Day could continue in some form without returning the event to its previous City -funded model.
The matter was subsequently discussed by the Park and Recreation Commission at its August 26, 2026 meeting. The Commission discussed the history of Make a Difference Day, the City's current financial limitations, and potential opportunities for community organizations and volunteers to continue the tradition with limited or no City financial support. One potential option discussed was for interested community members or organizations to coordinate Make a Difference Day independently of the City.
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss Make a Difference Day and provide direction to staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommendations do not result in a fiscal impact.