Tracy committee recommends six-month interim contract with Salvation Army to run temporary shelter

The Tracy Homeless Advisory Committee on Oct. 16 recommended that the City Council approve a six-month interim professional services agreement (PSA) with the Salvation Army to continue operating the city's temporary emergency housing facility while the city completes its capital project and issues a request for proposals.

Virginia Carney, the city's homeless services manager, told the committee staff recommended two actions: that the council find that strict competitive procurement was not in the city's best interest under Tracy Municipal Code section 2.20.0.140(b)(6), and that the council approve a PSA with the Salvation Army Stockton Corps to operate the interim site from Nov. 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, with a not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $1,484,642. "The consultant currently serves as the operator of the temporary emergency housing facility since 11/01/2023," Carney said, and staff described the contract as necessary to maintain continuity while the CIP expansion finishes and the city completes an RFP.

Committee members asked whether reporting or performance metrics would change during the six-month term and what steps would ensure a smooth transition to a long-term operator. Carney said the NTE increased to reflect added staffing, cost-of-living adjustments and higher food costs, and that a full site update will be presented to council on Nov. 4; the city will complete the RFP before awarding any long-term contract.

Public commenters at the meeting largely praised shelter staff and described personal progress tied to the shelter's services. "I used to stay at the Tracy Shelter'... I'm at my best I've ever been in 8 months due to the help and the support from these guys," said Yara Grimaldo, a former shelter resident who said she is now housed and employed and volunteered to help others. Multiple clients asked the committee to address practical barriers: Vantasia Dennis urged better transportation options and suggested revising bus routing, Adela Armas and others asked for extended break-room or kitchen access, more hygiene kits and additional computer access for benefit applications, and Aurora Zarate, assistant director for the Tracy Shelter, asked the city to consider adding lighting on Arbor, MacArthur and Holly to improve nighttime safety for people walking to and from shelters.

The committee's chair moved the staff recommendation and it was seconded; roll call recorded the chair and vice chair voting yes and the chair announced the item passed. The motion as read at the dais reflected staff's recommendation (NTE $1,484,642). During the motion the chair misstated the NTE as a much larger figure; staff and the published packet show the correct NTE of $1,484,642.

After the vote, city staff and committee members said they would follow up on transportation, hygiene and computer-access concerns offline and that council members and transit staff could be engaged about route utilization. Brian McDonald, the city's parks, recreation and community services director, answered a separate public question about the animal shelter site history, saying the prior facility was demolished to make way for an expanded animal facility at a different site.

The committee adjourned at 7:40 p.m. The recommendation will go to the City Council for final action; staff said the council will receive a full site update Nov. 4 and the RFP process will be completed before any long-term operator is selected.