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Council approves $10,000 startup grant for a local community mediation center (3–2)
Summary
Council voted 3–2 to direct staff to prepare a $10,000 grant agreement for the Monterey College of Law’s proposed Center for Dispute Resolution (CDR SLO) to seed startup costs for mediation infrastructure, with staff returning the agreement for final approval.
The San Luis Obispo City Council voted 3–2 to move forward with a $10,000 startup grant to support the Monterey College of Law’s proposed Center for Dispute Resolution, known as CDR SLO, and directed staff to draft a standard grant agreement reflecting the uses outlined in the applicant’s March 1 letter.
Lisa Spiro, CEO and president of the Monterey College of Law, told the council the $30,000 request would fund early staffing, outreach, and basic infrastructure—web presence and outreach—needed so the program can bid on court and community mediation contracts and partner with local colleges and nonprofits. "We are hoping the City of San Luis Obispo could be our first critical community partner in starting this," Spiro said.
Councilmembers who supported the motion pointed to an immediate community need after Wilshire’s community mediation program closed and emphasized that the city’s FY25–26 budget already contains $15,000 per year for mediation services. "Why not use that $10,000 to help the center get off the ground?" Councilmember Marks asked; she and two colleagues voted in favor.
Opponents and some council members voiced concern about awarding money ahead of a planned RFP for mediation services and about appearing to favor a single organization prior to a competitive procurement. Mayor Stewart said she was uncomfortable appearing to give preferential treatment when the city will soon issue an RFP on the topic; Councilmember Shoresman and others asked staff to include clear grant terms limiting the use of funds to the startup activities described in the applicant’s letter.
City staff said the grant will be structured like other small community grants, with terms that identify intended uses and typical remedies for misuse; they will return a grant agreement for council approval. Staff also noted the city currently holds $15,000 in each year of the two‑year financial plan for mediation services, and recommended keeping $5,000 available in the present year for immediate needs while allocating the available $10,000 from the current year as a startup contribution if council directs it.
What’s next: Staff will draft a grant agreement specifying the scope described in the applicant’s letter, return it to council for approval and, if approved, the city will disburse the $10,000 from the current fiscal year mediation allocation.
