The Housing and Land Use Committee voted to recommend City Council approve a revised five‑year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Monterey County to govern operations and shared funding of the Share Center, the regionally served emergency shelter.

Keisha Lopez, the city’s homeless services manager, told the committee the revised MOU replaces earlier collaborative documents and clarifies roles: Monterey County will remain the property owner and fiscal lead, responsible for capital improvements, while the city will lead the operator selection process and share ongoing operations costs on a 50/50 basis where funding is available. Lopez said the MOU explicitly treats rapid rehousing rental assistance as an eligible operational expense, after the city and county negotiated that allocation.

Lopez said the agreement also sets a joint governance framework, monthly performance and expenditure reviews, coordinated public communications, and joint fundraising and grant applications. The MOU’s initial term runs from 2025 through 2029 with options for two additional five‑year renewals.

Council members asked staff to confirm which entity would be the fiscal lead for grant administration; Lopez said the county would serve as fiscal lead for the Share Center while acknowledging both parties will coordinate on applications and oversight. Committee members also sought detail about the difference between capital improvements and routine maintenance; Lopez said capital projects include major repairs such as roof replacement, HVAC overhauls, plumbing or electrical systems and work that requires permits and capital‑expenditure approval, while routine maintenance costs are shared 50/50.

After the presentation Council Member Salazar moved the recommendation and Council Member Sandoval seconded. The roll call vote recorded Council Member Sandoval: Aye; Council Member Salazar: Yes; Chair Barajas: Aye. The motion passed.

Lopez said staff will continue monthly performance reviews with the operator and jointly pursue grants to support Share Center operations and capital needs.