At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, March 16, there was some discussion about Consent Calendar item 8 (C-8): “Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Submission of an Application for the State of California Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) Grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development by the Housing and Human Services Department.”
A staff note read, “Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of the HCD Round 4 Notice of Funding Availability pertaining to the Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) Grant in the amount up to $750,000; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents necessary to submit the application and if awarded, to accept and administer the grant funds in accordance with the grant requirements and based on the recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Housing and Homelessness (ACOHH) and the City Council Standing Housing and Homelessness Subcommittee (Vice Mayor Fish and Council Member McMorrin) (Subcommittee) to prioritize funding to establish a right-to-counsel program and/or rental assistance program.”
The rest of the Consent Calendar passed without discussion, but there was some debate on C-8, with Council Members Dan O’Brien and Albert Vera feeling that funds are better placed in rental assistance than a right-to-counsel program, in an attempt to keep matters from going to court to begin with.
Still, the item passed 3-2, with O’Brien and Vera the two no votes.
Action Item 1 (A-1) called for, “Consideration of a Series of Community Screening Events/Activations Related to the 2026 World Cup; Update on the City’s 2028 Olympics Planning Efforts.”
Staff recommended that the council, “approve a series of community screening events/activations related to the World Cup 2026, [and] receive an update on City’s 2028 Olympics Planning efforts.”
O’Brien requested that staff look into including Main Street in the street closures during the event. The motion was for everything as written, and it passed unanimously.
Action Item 2 (A-2) called for, “Approval of Remit Question and Schedule for the Civic Assembly as Recommended by the Civic Assembly Ad Hoc Committee.”
Staff recommended that the council, “approve the remit question and schedule for Civic Assembly as recommended by the Civic Assembly Ad Hoc Subcommittee.” That too passed unanimously.
Item A-3 called for, “(1) Authorization to the City Manager to Pursue the Formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to Finance Existing City Obligations and Future Special Projects; (2) Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP for the Establishment of the JPA and Bond Counsel Services; (3) Approval a Professional Services Agreement with PFM Financial Advisors LLC for Financial Advisory Services Related to Lease Revenue Bonds; (4) Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Ernst & Young U.S. LLP for Financial Analysis and (5) Other Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.”
Staff recommends the City Council, Housing Authority and Parking Authority: “(1) authorize the City Manager to pursue the formation of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to finance existing City obligations and future special projects; (2) approve a professional services agreement with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (Orrick) for the establishment of the JPA and bond counsel services; (3) approve a professional services agreement with PFM Financial Advisors LLC (PFM) for financial advisory services related to lease revenue bonds; (4) approve a professional services agreement with Ernst & Young U.S. LLP for financial analysis and (5) other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.”
That passed unanimously, as did A-4: “Discussion and Direction on California State Senate Bill 79, The Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act.”