REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Biennial Review of Priority Needs for Human Services and Supplemental Human Services Funding Recommendations
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Housing and Human Services Commission considered this item on October 23, 2024.
The Housing and Human Services Commission voted to recommend the City Council approve Alternative 1: Approve the list of priority needs as stated in the staff report, excerpted from the City’s 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Alternative 6: Direct staff to adjust the General Fund appropriation for human services grants to $150,000 for FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 to be included in the FY 2025/26 Recommended Budget and increase the General Fund supplemental grant based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) every two years starting in FY 2027/28 from the base of $150,000. The vote was 5-0, with Commissioners Davis and Riviere absent.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the list of priority needs as stated in the staff report, excerpted from the City’s 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
2. Approve the list of priority needs as stated in the staff report, excerpted from the City’s 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with modifications.
3. Direct staff to adjust the General Fund appropriation for human services grants to $150,000 for FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 to be included in the FY 2025/26 Recommended Budget.
4. Direct staff to maintain the General Fund appropriation of $135,000 for human services grants for FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27, consistent with the current Adopted Budget and 20-year Resource Allocation Plan.
5. Direct staff to adjust the General Fund appropriation for human services grants to an amount determined by the Commission for FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 to be included in the FY 2025/26 Recommended Budget.
HHSC Recommended Alternative
6. Direct staff to adjust the General Fund appropriation for human services grants to $150,000 for FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 to be included in the FY 2025/26 Recommended Budget and increase the General Fund supplemental grant based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) every two years starting in FY 2027/28 from the base of $150,000.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternatives 1 and 3: 1) Approve the list of priority needs as stated in the staff report, excerpted from the City’s 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and 3) Direct staff to adjust the General Fund appropriation for human services grants to $150,000 for FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 to be included in the FY 2025/26 Recommended Budget.
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION
The current list of priority needs is broad enough to encompass virtually all types of human services; therefore, modification of the list does not appear to be necessary. Increasing the supplemental funding amount to $150,000 per year (an increase in $15,000 per year) is recommended as the cost of goods and services has increased rapidly over recent years, and CDBG public services funding remains very limited. This minor increase can support existing grantees, expand services, and attract new grantees to providing these critical services in Sunnyvale.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_X General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Jenny Carloni, Housing Officer
Reviewed by: Trudi Ryan, Director of Community Development
Reviewed by: Dennis Jaw, Interim Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Housing and Human Services Commission [24-0985, October 23, 2024] (without attachments)
2. Eight-Year Human Services Funding Levels
3. Link to Draft 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
4. Excerpt of Draft Minutes of the Housing and Human Services Commission Meeting of October 23, 2024