PREPARED BY: GREG DWYER DATE OF MEETING: 06/15/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION TO RATIFY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN MEALS ON WHEELS DIABLO REGION (MOWDR) AS THE LEAD GRANT APPLICANT AND THE CITY OF SAN PABLO AS THE CO-APPLICANT FOR PURPOSES OF APPLYING FOR AND, IF AWARDED, IMPLEMENTING AN OPPORTUNITY GRANT UNDER THE BAY REPAIR LOCAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS FUND THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE SAN PABLO COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONGREGATE MEAL PROGRAM AND OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE CITY’S SENIOR POPULATION
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize by Minute Order
Body
Compliance statements
Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement:
Major Policy Goal: Build a Healthy Community and Focus on Economic Development and Fiscal Diversification are major policy goals contained in the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan, effective April 7, 2025.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
BACKGROUND
For more than 50 years, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region (MOWDR) has improved the lives of vulnerable seniors living in Contra Costa County by delivering nutritious meals and supportive services that allow seniors to remain in their homes, safely and with dignity. The City of San Pablo has worked in collaborative efforts in serving local seniors in small-scale classes in programs in the past.
In May 2024, the Bay Area Air District adopted the Community Benefits Penalty Funds Policy to reinvest air quality violation penalties into communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution through the Bay REPAIR (Reinvesting Penalties for Air Improvement and Resilience) program. The program supports projects that improve air quality and public health and is administered by the Community Investments Office, which emphasizes equitable, community-driven investments. The program’s Opportunity Grant applicants are required to partner with at least one Co-Applicant, allocate at least 25% of funding to partners, and demonstrate strong collaboration, clear roles, and effective project management capacity. Key details of the program include the following:
• Focus Areas: Currently targets community-led projects in Benicia, Richmond, and their surrounding communities, such as San Pablo.
• Funding Pool: More than $90 million in grant funding has been designated for these affected communities.
• Project Types: Projects must focus on mitigating air pollution impacts, improving public health, and strengthening community resilience.
Grant Opportunity Collaboration
In early May 2026, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region (MOWDR) reached out to the Community Services Department staff to explore the possibility of the City becoming a Co-Applicant for an upcoming grant opportunity. The City of San Pablo qualifies for this partnership due to its inclusion within the designated Focus Area, the meal programs currently offered through the City, which are well-suited to the Project Type requirements for the grant. Following these discussions, both MOWDR and the City agreed to the terms detailed in the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Attachment A). If MOWDR's grant proposal is approved, City staff will provide updates and seek necessary contract approvals from the Community Services Standing Committee and the City Council for any related programs and services.
City Manager Recommendation
Therefore, following transmittal of said official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the City Manager requests that the City Council ratify said MOU for formal consideration by majority vote via minute action authorization this evening.
Fiscal Impacts
There is no financial impact to the City or matching contribution for this grant program other than some standard invoicing and documentation, much of which staff is currently doing with the existing congregate meal program.
Attachments
Att. A - Memorandum of Understanding with MOWDR