PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 11/04/2024
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH SOS RICHMOND FOR CREEK CLEAN UP, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, JOB COUNSELING, AND OTHER SERVICES, FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2026-27, SUBJECT TO FUNDING AVAILABILITY, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $31,525 OVER THE THREE (3) YEAR PERIOD.
CEQA: Creek cleanup services are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 for actions by regulatory agencies to protect the environment. Housing assistance, job counseling and other services are not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-25 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Improve Public Safety Item 505 Keep San Pablo Clean- Litter Control Initiative and Improve Public Safety Item 511 Enhance and Diversify Homeless Outreach Services and Develop and Implement City-Wide Illegal Encampment Strategy are adopted policy items under the FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Work plan, effective May 1, 2023.
BACKGROUND
Litter and illegal dumping are issues of concern in San Pablo for City employees and residents. A 2021 community survey found that the number one identified concern for residents is the cleanliness of the City/garbage collection (SRI Inc. Survey-January 2021). In addition, the Public Works Department has identified a need for litter reduction, tracking of litter hotspots, and data on litter types/sources in order to meet the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit requirements. In February 2020, City staff presented the Multi-Year Litter and Illegal Dumping Strategy to address the proliferation of litter and illegal dumping City-wide. A component of this strategy is the use of local community-based organizations (CBOs), non-profits, and youth for litter education and cleanup efforts.
Enhancing services for unhoused San Pablo residents and developing and implementing a City-Wide illegal encampment strategy is also a priority of the City of San Pablo. The City’s NPDES stormwater permit includes two provisions (C.10 Trash Reduction and C.17 Discharges Associated with Unsheltered Population) that require the City to reduce trash going into the creek and to address impacts from unsheltered persons encampments adjacent to creeks and storm drains. The NPDES permit also includes reporting requirements about the types of programs and activities the City has implemented to address trash and litter from illegal encampments and to provide data on meeting targets and metrics.
Public Works is proposing to contract with a local non-profit organization, SOS Richmond, to provide support services to empower unhoused persons and open the door to personal transformation. SOS Richmond strongly supports the concept of “housing first” and is uniquely qualified to provide housing, job assistance and other services to empower local unhoused persons living in the City. SOS Richmond also has staff and resources to address litter and illegal dumping in creek corridors. SOS Richmond is a local non-profit organization, which is consistent with the City Council strategy to use local CBOs, non-profits, or youth for litter cleanup efforts.
City staff developed the following annual program requirements that would enhance services for unhoused San Pablo residents and also address litter, trash, and illegal dumping in creeks corridors:
● Administer 8 annual creek clean-ups
● 1 site manager to staff a San Pablo Wellness Center weekly event featuring a job readiness program. This would be an important step in getting people out of creeks and into housing and jobs
Staff presented this contract and program to the Public Safety Standing Committee on October 23, 2025. The Committee recommended formal consideration and approval of a three-year contract with SOS Richmond to the City Council. In addition, staff have included a requirement for an annual report with data and information, this report will be presented to the Council annually to determine the program's impact.
Staff is seeking City Council authorization for the City Manager to enter into a three-year agreement with SOS Richmond to implement the annual creek clean up events, to open a San Pablo Wellness Center and to start weekly job readiness services. This authorization request is in accordance with the City’s Fiscal Policies dated April 29, 2021, which states that contracts with non-profits must go to City Council for approval regardless of amounts unless under $25,000 and normal process is waived by City Manager and City Attorney. SOS Richmond is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
|
Fiscal Year |
Maximum Contract Amount |
|
2024/25 |
$10,000 |
|
2025/26 |
$10,500 |
|
2026/27 |
$11,025 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL: |
$31,525 |
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the agreement between the City of San Pablo and SOS Richmond is available in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 and Fiscal Year 2025-26 City of San Pablo Environmental Services Operating Budget. Funding for Fiscal Year 2026-27 will be subject to funding availability in the budget approved by the City Council for the applicable fiscal year.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att. A- Resolution
Att. B- SOS Richmond Contract