Human Services Commission Meeting - April 17, 2025

Note: The agenda and minutes indicate the meeting originally took place on March 26, 2025, but the user provided instructions to use the date April 17, 2025. This summary reflects the content of the March 26 meeting as per the source material.

The Human Services Commission of San Leandro convened on April 17, 2025 (per user instruction), at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Sister Cities Gallery. The meeting lasted approximately 35 minutes and was called to order at 7:00 PM. Seven commissioners were present (Fry, Bailey, Lum, O'Brien, Ouborg, Picado, Roby), one excused (Reed). Key actions included approval of prior minutes, updates on interim housing and the Community Assistance Program (CAP), a presentation on Community Food Services (CFS) funding, and election of a new Chair and Vice Chair.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting (March 27, 2025, as per the agenda item). Motion by Commissioner Bailey, seconded by Commissioner Ouborg, passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were received, and no e-comments were submitted.

Staff Reports

• Lewelling Interim Housing and Drop-In Center Open House: Staff announced an open house on Friday, May 23, 2025, from 1:00–3:00 PM to tour the property and ask programmatic questions. The shelter component was set to open the following Tuesday (March 31, 2025 in original context) with 29 rooms, all filled through the Alameda County coordinated entry system. The drop-in center (offering showers and laundry) will open in June. Parking is limited; attendees are advised to park west of the site. Commissioner Fry noted that for the first time in San Leandro, people experiencing homelessness will have daily access to showers (two showers available) and laundry. A discussion addressed public awareness: staff will follow up with a colleague to provide details on outreach to residents.
• Community Assistance Program (CAP) Evaluation Timeline Reminder: Staff reminded commissioners that April 1, 2025 was the final date to submit completed evaluation rubrics. Due to delays in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the timeline for CAP decisions may shift. The general fund portion of CAP ($320,000) remains under local control. The target for commission recommendations is the next meeting (April 23, 2025), and City Council finalization tentatively on May 19, 2025. Commissioner Lum asked about overlap between CAP applicants and CFS awardees; staff clarified that only information presented for CAP should be considered in evaluations.

Presentation

• Community Food Services (CFS) Funding Update: Staff presented an update on one-time funding of $200,000 created to support local food providers after COVID-era funds (ARPA) ended. Demand remained high. The city received 15 applications—triple the expected number—and awarded funds to 11 agencies. No agency received its full request, but all accepted the partial awards. Funded agencies included: Meals on Wheels, San Leandro Community Food Pantry, Davis Street, Boys and Girls Club, Mercy Retirement and Care Center (Mercy Brown Bag), Spectrum Community Services, Dorcio Asquez, Korean Community Center of the East Bay, Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay, San Lorenzo Family Help Center, and Bridging Grace. Services range from food pantries and hot meals to culinary job readiness.

Action Items

• Commission Election: Chair: Commissioner Picado nominated Commissioner Moira Fry for Chair; seconded by Commissioner Roby. Motion approved 7-0. Commissioner Fry accepted.
• Commission Election: Vice Chair: Commissioner Bailey nominated Commissioner Erin Ouborg for Vice Chair; seconded by Commissioner Lum. Motion approved 7-0. Commissioner Ouborg accepted.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved (7-0).
• Chair Elected: Moira Fry (7-0).
• Vice Chair Elected: Erin Ouborg (7-0).
• CAP Evaluation: Commissioners were reminded to submit rubrics by April 1 (past deadline); final recommendations to be made at the next meeting (April 23, 2025) depending on federal fund clarity.
• CFS Funding: The update was informational; no vote was taken.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM on a motion by Commissioner Ouborg, seconded by Commissioner Lum, approved 7-0.