Council members approved a motion during the Oct. 14 work session to expand and extend the city’s existing outreach services agreement to increase staffing for street outreach and engagement with people experiencing homelessness.

City staff (identified in the meeting as Jeff) said the work represents an expansion of scope under an existing agreement and can be handled without a new request for proposals; procurement will provide any further required steps. Staff said the extension would carry the agreement through July 31, 2026, after which the city will rebid the contract as part of the next fiscal-year procurement process.

Council member Brown asked whether an RFP was required for the expansion; Jeff responded that as an expansion of an existing agreement the city can generally proceed under the current contract but deferred to procurement for final guidance. Council member Morton said she supported the expansion and asked whether North Downtown/East End neighborhoods would be included; staff said the outreach team would initially focus on the downtown entertainment district and the downtown core and could flex outside that area over time as capacity allows.

Morton and others emphasized the goal of ensuring adequate staffing so outreach workers are not pulled between multiple locations and that individuals who need more intensive engagement receive continuity of service. The council approved the item by voice vote during the new-business portion of the work session; the transcript does not state a contract dollar amount.