Clubhouse Elorado managers urge cannabis committee funding as council explains grant process

Speakers from Clubhouse Elorado sought city support and possible allocation from the cannabis community benefit program during the June 23 public‑comment period.

Alicia Shepard, the program manager for Clubhouse Elorado, told the council the nonprofit serves adults with serious mental health conditions and has grown to more than 350 members since opening in August 2024. Shepard said the clubhouse's culinary program has prepared more than 15,000 meals, supports vocational skills training, and has helped dozens of members secure employment. She said the culinary program faces a substantial funding shortfall following changes to state mental health funding streams and warned it may be forced to close as early as October without new support.

Cheryl Trainer and other commenters asked the council to consider moving the cannabis committee dispersal decision or to delay a consent vote so applicants could be heard; Sir Rodman and other members of the public credited the cannabis committee with underwriting community events including Wildfire Safety Day. Council members explained that the cannabis committee follows a process to evaluate and recommend grants and encouraged applicants to present to that committee and follow the published application timeline.

The council did not take immediate funding action at the meeting; it instructed staff and the public to pursue the established cannabis‑committee review process and noted that the cannabis committee list and schedule are posted on the city website.