San Leandro Human Services Commission Regular Meeting - June 30, 2025

Note: The agenda for this meeting was dated June 25, 2025, but the instruction specified to use June 30, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:06 PM and adjourned at 7:41 PM.

The Human Services Commission met to receive updates on city and departmental programs, review the proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2025-2027, and hear staff reports. The main presentation covered the Human Services Department's budget reductions totaling $617,000 for FY26 and $677,000 for FY27, driven by the city's structural deficit. No action items were considered.

Consent Calendar

• 3.A. Approval of May Draft Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the May 2025 meeting (motion by Commissioner O'Brien, second by Commissioner Lum; all in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

• One member of the public attended but did not speak. There were no e-comments.

Staff Reports & Announcements

• Lewelling Drop-In Center: Director Lobedan reported that the center opened earlier in June 2025, operating Monday–Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Showers and laundry are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Services include meals, housing navigation, mail access, phone charging, computers, pet allowances, and referrals. In the first week, attendance was under 100 people. Two couples (four individuals) had already been housed from the transitional units. This contrasts with the typical 75–85 attendees seen at the April Showers site.
• Senior Resource Fair: Held on June 24, 2025, at the senior center. It featured 50 vendors (up from 40 last year) and attracted close to 300 attendees. Free health checks and recycling were offered.
• Cherry Festival Parade: The commission was reminded of the upcoming parade; a short video was shown of the department's entry (a flex shuttle with staff dressed in a "through the decades" theme).

Presentations

• Biennial Budget Update (FY26-27) for Human Services Department: Presented by Human Services Director Jessica Lobedan. Key points:
  • The city faces a structural deficit; expenditures exceed revenues, and ongoing draws on reserves could eventually risk bankruptcy. Every department made reductions.
  • The Human Services Department currently has 11 full-time staff. A previously vacant management analyst position was eliminated.
  • Department priorities for the next two years include: homelessness prevention (new rental assistance program), youth interventions (homelessness and joblessness), senior services expansion (age-friendly action plan implementation, diversifying senior center programming), sustaining the Alternative Response Unit, and strengthening data evaluation.
  • Performance measures include tracking individuals served through Community Agency Program grants, increasing Flex Rides membership by 5% annually, and counting unduplicated individuals served at the Lewelling Navigation Center.
  • General Fund Budget Changes (from $7.76 million adjusted FY25 to $3.258 million proposed FY26): The large drop is partly due to carryforwards and one-time funds; the biggest cut is in services and supplies.
  • Program Reductions:
    • Congregate Winter Shelter: Reduced from $160,000 to $50,000 for both FY26 and FY27; county funding is being pursued to sustain it.
    • Winter Shelter Motel Voucher Program: Funding completely eliminated; the provider indicated limited capacity to continue.
    • Domestic Violence Services: Funding for two of three contracted nonprofits removed, but one-time upfront funds were provided to give a two-year runway for transition or external fundraising.
    • Countywide 211 System: Continued at $35,000–$40,000 for FY26, with a slight decrease in FY27; funds front-loaded.
    • Immigration Services at Senior Center: Eliminated for FY27 only.
    • Homelessness Mobile Outreach: Reduced by $24,000 for FY27, potentially reducing outreach days.
    • Senior Lunch Program: Will be funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
    • Basic Needs Program: Already allocated through CAP process via general fund.
    • Age-Friendly Action Plan Implementation: No specific activity had been identified; funding eliminated entirely, but implementation will continue with other resources.
  • Increases: The Alternative Response Unit received continued funding. An additional $67,000 was granted for senior center security (previously covered by another department).
  • Special revenue funds show a slight reduction, but many grants are received throughout the year, so the figure is subject to change.
  • The commissioner asked about ARPA funds. Director Lobedan replied that no new ARPA funds are available; they must be encumbered by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026.
  • The presentation is available on Meeting Central.

Commission Reports and Final Announcements

• Commissioner O'Brien announced a community resources and backpack giveaway event on July 26, 2025 (Saturday) from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The event has a budget of approximately $25,000 and will include food trucks, a DJ, and giveaways.
• Secretary Castillo informed the commission that staff is scheduling new program presentations for future meetings. She encouraged commissioners to suggest local agencies that the commission should hear from, noting that many groups operate in the city but are not well-known. The existing CAP partners have been booked for the rest of this year, and scheduling for next year has begun.
• Commissioner Lum expressed interest in hearing from Front Porch, an agency not yet scheduled.

Key Outcomes

• No action items were taken.
• The consent calendar was approved unanimously.
• The commission received the budget update as information only; no vote was required.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.