Solano County Board adopts June proclamations, approves $341,237 in community grants

The Solano County Board of Supervisors on June 3 unanimously adopted multiple proclamations recognizing June observances and approved $341,237 in one‑time community grants to six agencies.

The board voted 5‑0 to recognize June 2025 as Gun Violence Awareness Month and June 6, 2025 as Gun Violence Awareness Day. Supervisor James read the resolution and cited the designation’s origin in honor of Hidayah Pendleton; he urged residents to participate in local awareness activities and to support violence‑intervention efforts. "June has been designated as gun violence awareness month ... we need to do something to end that violence in our community," Supervisor James said. Members of local violence‑intervention teams and a former peacekeeper described outreach work in Vallejo neighborhoods and urged increased community engagement.

The board also adopted proclamations recognizing the Mare Island Technical Academy mock trial team’s state finals appearance, Philippine Cultural Month (with an invitation to the Pista Sa Nayon festival on Mare Island on June 7 and a free ferry from Vallejo), LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the display of the Progress Pride flag at the county government center, Juneteenth Day (June 19, 2025) with a future flag‑raising event, and National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.

In a separate, substantive action the board approved staff recommendations to allocate $341,237 from the Community Investment Fund 1‑time investments to six agencies for the term July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and delegated authority to the county administrator, with county counsel concurrence, to execute resulting contracts. Juliana Moreno, the county’s contracts specialist, told the board that 20 eligible proposals were reviewed after a mandatory solicitation conference attended by 52 people representing 23 agencies. The recommended awards are: Crescent Moon Center — $25,000 (equine‑assisted and creative arts workshops for mental health); Bay Area Community Resources — $16,237 (support for new parents and baby bundles); Parents By Choice — $75,000 (parenting programs for teens and families in transition); Touro University — $75,000 (mental‑health resources and college/career readiness for 250 youth); Food Is Free — $75,000 (nutritious food distribution for vulnerable populations); and Real Vista Care — $75,000 (mental health, youth development and family support in the Rio Vista area). Juliana Moreno said the one‑time investments are intended for short‑term programs that address urgent county needs and that proposals had to demonstrate measurable outcomes.

Supervisor Brown, who served on the review panel, said the selection process was rigorous and that the board should follow up with site visits when contracts begin. "We scrutinized everything," Brown said, urging oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars meet outcomes.

The meeting also included ceremonial recognitions and an employee‑of‑the‑month presentation for Jeffrey Bell of Resource Management.