Council renews contract for downtown street outreach service; some members press for citywide expansion

The Salinas City Council approved a subrecipient agreement to continue funding a downtown street outreach provider that performs litter abatement, homeless outreach and neighborhood cleanup work, but council members debated expanding the program to additional districts.

Council members discussed whether to add District 5 to the contract’s service area during the consent‑calendar debate. City staff said the contract as presented implements a budgeted program for specific neighborhoods; expansion citywide or to other districts would require additional direction on funding and scope. Council member Barajas offered and the council adopted a substitute motion to approve the contract as presented, while encouraging staff to prepare options for expanding similar services elsewhere.

Council member Barajas said the current agreement followed budget discussions and targeted areas with documented needs. The city manager noted that the contract implements the budgeted scope and that staff can return with analyses and funding options to expand coverage to other neighborhoods. "If the council wants us to expand this to other parts of the city, direct me to bring that back," the city manager said.

The substitute motion carried on a 6–1 vote: Barajas Yes; Barrera Yes; Dirigo Yes; Dela Rosa Yes; Salazar Yes; Sandoval No; Mayor Dennis Donahue Yes. Council members and public commenters also urged the city to track and communicate program outcomes and to consider equity across districts when planning expansions.

The contract amount and specific service metrics were included in the staff packet; the council approved the contract on the consent calendar with the requested substitution and asked staff to return with options and cost estimates if council members want to expand services beyond the currently funded areas.