The Jurupa Valley City Council approved a professional services agreement with CityGate to prepare a homeless strategic plan not to exceed $75,000 as part of the consent calendar on Nov. 6. The vote to approve the professional services agreement and the broader consent calendar carried unanimously, 5-0.

City staff said the work will include assessing local needs, conducting a gap analysis of regional services, engaging stakeholders and evaluating the feasibility of options including a local shelter. "The funding for this home strategic plan was included in our budget for this year," staff told council. Housing Manager Curtis Miller said CityGate demonstrated experience in similar work in other jurisdictions, including Monterey County and Weld County, and that staff favored a firm that adapts its approach to local priorities rather than using a cookie-cutter plan.

Council members pressed staff on implementation. Council Member [name recorded in the transcript as] Veronica asked whether CityGate-produced plans had been executed in other jurisdictions; staff pointed to Monterey County and Weld County as examples where the firm's recommendations were carried forward. Council Member Armando and others emphasized that the city needs a plan that includes measurable, actionable steps and options to connect people to services rather than plans that sit on a shelf. Staff said the agreement directs CityGate to identify funding opportunities and implementation pathways as part of the final strategy.

Key points from the staff presentation and council discussion:
- Contract amount: not to exceed $75,000; money was included in the approved fiscal-year budget.
- Scope: needs assessment, gap analysis, stakeholder engagement, feasibility of a temporary shelter, and identification of funding and partnership opportunities.
- Execution history: staff identified prior CityGate engagements and said the firm had deliverables executed in other areas (Monterey County example cited).
- Council direction: prepare a practical, action-oriented plan with measures of success and options (shelter vs. service partnerships) and identify potential partners and recurring operations costs if a shelter is recommended.

The item was approved as part of the consent calendar. Staff will return to council with the draft strategic plan and will coordinate public engagement as part of CityGate's scope.

Clarifying details:
- The contract is for planning and analysis; it does not create or fund an operating shelter.
- If the plan recommends shelter development, the city would still need later approvals for siting, construction, funding and operations.

Proper names: CityGate (consultant), City of Jurupa Valley Community Development and Housing Manager Curtis Miller.

Next steps: staff will execute the agreement, engage CityGate, schedule community and stakeholder meetings, and return to council with the draft plan and recommended implementation steps.