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Berkeley council adopts first-reading ordinance reforming Human Welfare and Community Action Commission, halts proposed merger

Berkeley City Council · May 7, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Council adopted first reading of an ordinance to reform the HWCAC to meet state CSBG requirements and directed staff to stop work on a proposed merger with the Peace and Justice Commission, after weeks of staff briefings and public comment.

The Berkeley City Council voted on March 26 to adopt the first reading of an ordinance reforming the Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) and to halt further work on a proposed merger with the Peace and Justice Commission.

Staff presented two options: Option A would merge the HWCAC and the Peace and Justice Commission to reduce vacancies and administrative burdens; Option B would reform the HWCAC’s enabling ordinance to address compliance with Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) requirements without merging the two commissions. Peter Radu, interim deputy director overseeing neighborhood services, said the city had received a February 16 letter from the California State Department of Community Services and Development warning of an anticipated high-risk designation for its CSBG funding unless the city…

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