Lodi council approves five-year agreement with Outreach Ministries to run Access Center, construction to finish in October 2026

The Lodi City Council on June 17 authorized the interim city manager to execute a five-year operator agreement with Outreach Ministries International (OMI) to run the city’s Access Center and emergency shelter. Council voted to approve the negotiated contract after staff summarized construction progress and funding plans and after OMI presented program results from the temporary Access Center.

Neighborhood Services Manager Jennifer Ryan reported that construction at 710 N. Sacramento St. has progressed to framing and mechanical work, with an updated original contract amount of $9,866,433 and executed change orders of approximately $1.7 million; roughly $300,000 of change-order authority remained. The schedule presented projects a construction finish of October 12, 2026, subject to usual risk and potential weather impacts. Ryan said remaining funds can be used for furnishings, fixtures and equipment or parking-lot work tied to CDBG if the construction contingency is not exhausted.

OMI leaders described operational results from the temporary facility: over the last 18 months staff reported 257 transitions and a roughly 30% monthly transition rate from shelter to housing or services. Johnny Cochran of OMI said, “Out of 46 beds on a nightly basis, a third of those people are going to be gone at the end of the month because we’ve helped to transition them into jobs, housing, and rehabilitation programs.” OMI and staff emphasized senior clients make up a growing share of demand and said workforce development and medical-billing opportunities may expand reimbursements.

The proposed operator budget for year one was presented at $1.6 million. Staff said sufficient grant and city resources exist to fund the first year through targeted sources — Homeless Assistance and Prevention (HAP) allocations, some Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds and remaining ARPA dollars — and estimated those resources would carry operations through roughly November 2027 unless additional grants or charitable support are secured. The agreement includes a contingency clause allowing the city to reduce scope or effect a structured ramp‑down with 60 days’ notice if funding becomes unavailable.

Council members and the public praised OMI’s reported outcomes and pressed staff on contingency planning and revenue projections for ongoing operations. Council approved the motion to authorize the interim city manager to execute the five‑year agreement, with the caveat that continuation of services is contingent on available funding and that staff will continue monthly reporting and quarterly council updates.

What’s next: OMI will begin seven‑day operational reporting and monthly invoicing; staff will continue to pursue grant opportunities and present quarterly updates to council on performance metrics and revenue forecasts.