Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6b. Revise the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant recommendations and provide a recommenation to Council for approval Item 6a Human Relations Commission Agenda Report For Agenda of: 2/18/2026 Item Number: 6a FROM: Samantha Vethavanam, DEI Administrative Specialist Phone Number: (805) 781-7064 E-mail: svethava@slocity.org SUBJECT: REVISE THE 2025-26 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL RECOMMENDATION 1. Review the revised 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant funding recommendations from the November 5, 2025 Human Relations Commission meeting and updated based on new information; and 2. Make a final recommendation to City Council for approval. BACKGROUND In 2021, City Council approved funding for the DEI High Impact Grant program of $120,000. The purpose of the funding was to enhance the sense of belonging for all people in our community. Following the inaugural grant cycle, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force made a recommendation to Council to provide ongoing annual funding in the amount of $150,000 for DEI High Impact Grants, which have been provided on an annual basis since 2021. For the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant cycle, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion received a total of 20 applications with a total funding request of $321,330. The grant application opened on July 21, 2025, and closed on September 2, 2025. Programs, projects, initiatives, etc. funded by this grant may focus on specific underserved and underrepresented communities, but must provide access to the entire City of San Luis Obispo community-at-large and contribute to a positive systemic/structural change. On October 1, 2025, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) held a regular meeting which included a public hearing to review the grant applications and make a final funding recommendation to City Council. During this meeting, the HRC Grant Review Subcommittee provided their preliminary recommendations to the full HRC, which was followed by public comment and deliberation. Upon completion of the deliberation, the HRC voted on a final funding recommendation to send to City Council. As staff were preparing documents to send said final funding recommendations to Council, staff were alerted by one of the grantees recommended for funding, the San Luis Obispo Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45, that they were a 501(c)(19) Page 95 of 108 Item 6a and not a 501(c)(3) and inquired if they were still eligible. Staff determined that this grantee was ineligible for funding. As a result, the DEI High Impact Grant funding recommendations were brought back to the HRC at the November 5, 2025 meeting, where the HRC deliberated and decided to redistribute the redistribute the $4,475 that was allocated to the San Luis Obispo Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45 to another grant applicant and the HRC voted on a new final funding recommendation to send to City Council. After that meeting, a final review of the applicants recommended for funding under the DEI High Impact Grant was completed which caused City staff to delay sending the recommendations to City Council for approval. The thorough review resulted in staff requesting clarifications and/or confirmations on funding uses for some of the grant applicants. This information will be presented to the HRC to deci de on a new set of funding recommendations to send to City Council. NEXT STEPS Upon completion of the public hearing and HRC deliberation on the funding recommendations, new final funding recommendations will be presented to City Council as a consent item at one of the March meetings. ATTACHMENTS A - October 1, 2025 Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes B - November 5, 2025 Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes C - 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grant Updated HRC Funding Recommendations Page 96 of 108 1 Human Relations Commission Minutes November 5, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commissioners Present Commissioner Stephanie Carlotti, Commissioner Esmeralda Parker, Commissioner Jenn Fields, Vice Chair Catuih Campos, Chair Angie Kasprzak Human Relations Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Vincent DeTurris City Staff Present: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Samantha Vethavanam, Assistant Planner Ethan Estrada ____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was called to order on November 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Kasprzak. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: None. --End of Public Comment-- 3. CONSENT 3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 1, 2025 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of October 1, 2025. Motion By Vice Chair Campos Second By Commissioner Carlotti Ayes (4): Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner Parker, Commissioner Fields, and Chair Kasprzak Absent (1): Commissioner DeTurris Page 97 of 108 2 CARRIED (4 to 0) 4. BUSINESS ITEMS 4.a OVERVIEW OF THE RESPONDING TO HATE AND BIAS COMMUNITY TOOLKIT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the report and responded to staff inquiries. Action: The Commissioners provided feedback to staff on the Responding to Hate and Bias Community Toolkit. No formal action taken on this item. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5.a CONSIDERATION OF THE 2026-27 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS Assistant Planner Ethan Estrada presented the report and responded to Commissioner inquiries. Public Comment: Michelle Pedigo Nathan Rubinoff --End of Public Comment-- Motion By Commissioner Parker Second By Commissioner Fields Action: To provide the following funding to City Council for the 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant Program: • Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) – Prado Homeless Services Center: $67,172 • People’s Self-Help Housing – Supportive Housing Services: $11,853 • San Luis Obispo Nonprofit Housing Corporation – Monterey Family Apartments: $173,943 • Access Support Network – Adriance Court Rooting: $70,000 • CAPSLO Energy Services – Minor Home Repair: $98,500 • City of SLO – CDBG Administration: $18,349.50 • City of SLO – Capacity Building: $18,349.50 Ayes (3): Commissioner Parker, Commissioner Fields, and Vice Chair Campos Noes (2): Commissioner Carlotti, and Chair Kasprzak Page 98 of 108 3 Absent (1): Commissioner DeTurris CARRIED (3 to 2) 5.b REVISION OF THE 2025-26 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A NEW RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the report and responded to staff inquiries. Public Comment: Greg Ellis Katie Lichtig Vance Rodgers Mary Parker --End of Public Comment-- Motion By Vice Chair Campos Second By Commissioner Parker Action: The Commissioners reviewed their initial funding recommendations and redistributed the $4,475 originally allocated to SLO Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45 to SLO for Home & Church World Services for their SLO for Home program. The following funding recommendations for the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grants will be provided to City Council: • Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of SLO County – SLO CASA DEI Project: $10,000 • Diversity Coalition - SLO Equity Podcast: $10,000 • GALA Pride & Diversity Center - Queer Leadership and Civic Engagement Initiative: $15,000 • Literacy for Life - Literacy Program: $7,925 • Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) – Housing/Wellness Navigator Program: $20,000 • One Cool Earth - Salud y Conocimiento en el Jardin/One Cool Earth School Garden Program at Pacheco Elementary School: $10,000 • RACE Matters SLO County - Advancing Community Belonging and Cultural Representation Through Signature Events: $6,600 • SLO for Home & Church World Services – SLO for Home: $4,475 • SLO Hillel - Central Coast Jewish Heritage Festival: $6,000 • SLO Noor Foundation - Accessible Healthcare for All - City of SLO Project: $20,000 • UndocuSupport, Corazon Latino, San Luis Coastal Unified School District, & Womenade SLO - Connected Resources: Schools and Nonprofits in Partnership for Families: $40,000 Page 99 of 108 4 Ayes (5): Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner Parker, Commissioner Fields, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak Absent (1): Commissioner DeTurris CARRIED (5 to 0) 6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 6.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Manager, Matt Pennon and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Admin Specialist Sam Vethavanam provided the following updates: • Staff tabled at the Dia de los Muertos event on November 1st • Two separate events on November 13th: Candidate Education Forum and Understanding Government Commissions/Civic and Nonprofit Leadership Mixer • Staff will be on Central Coast Voice on November 20th • Update on how to provide public comment as an Advisory Body member Commissioner Fields provided the following updates: • SLO Tenants Union Letter Writing on November 9th • Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20th • Chosen Family Potluck on November 22nd • Social justice/climate letter writing on November 23rd • SLO Grassroots Thanksgiving Dinner November 26th (volunteers needed from November 24th to 26th) Vice Mayor Shoresman provided an update regarding interviews for a new Human Relations Commissioner. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission is scheduled for December 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/2025 Page 100 of 108 1 Human Relations Commission Minutes October 1, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commissioners Present: Commissioner Stephanie Carlotti, Commissioner Esmeralda Parker, Commissioner Jenn Fields, Vice Chair Catuih Campos, Chair Angie Kasprzak Human Relations Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Vincent DeTurris City Staff Present: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Samantha Vethavanam _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission was called to order on October 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Kasprzak. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: None. --End of Public Comment-- 3. CONSENT 3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES Motion By Commissioner Parker Second By Commissioner Carlotti To approve the Human Relations Commission Minutes of September 3, 2025. Ayes (5): Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner Parker, Commissioner Fields, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak Page 101 of 108 2 Absent (1): Commissioner DeTurris CARRIED (5 to 0) 4. BUSINESS ITEMS 4.a REVIEW OF THE 2024-25 DEI HIGH IMACT GRANT MID-YEAR REPORTS Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner inquiries. Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment Public Comment: None. --End of Public Comment— Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment Action: The Commission Liaisons for the 2024-25 DEI High Impact Grant reviewed their mid-year reports and provided feedback for staff to relay to grantees. The mid-year reports were received and filed. No formal action taken on this item. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS 5.a REVIEW 2025-26 DEI HIGH IMPACT GRANT SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Matt Pennon presented the staff report and responded to Commission inquiries. Chair Kasprzak opened Public Comment Public Comment: Rita Cassaverde Bob Williams Katrina Cathcart Chelsea Ruiz Bernadette Bernardi Courtney Haile Leroy Kemp Velanche Stewart Patricia Segoviano de Pier Leila Daniel Tara Clapham Linnea Valdivia --End of Public Comment-- Chair Kasprzak closed Public Comment Page 102 of 108 2 Motion By Commissioner Fields Second By Vice Chair Campos Action: To provide the following funding recommendations to City Council for the 2025-26 DEI High Impact Grants: 1. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of SLO County - SLO CASA DEI Project: $10,000 2. Diversity Coalition - SLO Equity Podcast: $10,000 3. GALA Pride & Diversity Center - Queer Leadership and Civic Engagement Initiative: $15,000 4. Literacy for Life - Literacy Program: $7,925 5. Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) - Housing/Wellness Navigator Program: $20,000 6. One Cool Earth - Salud y Conocimiento en el Jardin/One Cool Earth School Garden Program at Pacheco Elementary School: $10,000 7. RACE Matters SLO County - Advancing Community Belonging and Cultural Representation Through Signature Events: $6,600 8. SLO Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45 - 2026 Ability Fair and Expo: $4,475 9. SLO Hillel - Central Coast Jewish Heritage Festival: $6,000 10. SLO Noor Foundation - Accessible Healthcare for All - City of SLO Project: $20,000 11. UndocuSupport, Corazon Latino, San Luis Coastal Unified School District, & Womenade SLO - Connected Resources: Schools and Nonprofits in Partnership for Families: $40,000 Ayes (4): Commissioner Carlotti, Commissioner Fields, Vice Chair Campos, and Chair Kasprzak Absent (2): Commissioner DeTurris, and Commissioner Parker CARRIED (4 to 0) 6. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 6.a STAFF & COMMISSIONER UPDATES AND AGENDA FORECAST Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, Matt Pennon and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Admin Specialist Sam Vethavanam provided the following updates: • Upcoming Agenda Items: Council Liaison visit, an overview of the Responding to Hate and Bias Toolkit, and tentatively the public Page 103 of 108 3 hearing for the Community Development Block Grant funding recommendations. • Candidate Education Offering on November 13th. • Diversity Coalition Government Commissions and Mixer event on November 13th. • Staff went on the Cal Poly Indigenous Walking Tour. Commissioner Fields provided the following updates: • Upcoming GALA events: o Pride Prom on October 4th o National Coming Out Day event on October 11th o Fall Harvest Festival on October 24th Chair Kasprzak provided the following updates: • NAMI Walks event on October 4th • SLOMA new exhibit unveiling on October 11th • CAPSLO Fundraiser on October 11th • RACE Matters Stories Matter event on October 18th • Trunk or Treat on October 31st • Dia de los Muertos on November 1st Vice Chair Campos provided the following updates: • Support local businesses at the Farmer’s Market 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Human Relations Commission is scheduled for November 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: XX/XX/2025 Page 104 of 108 Organization Project/ Program Description of Project/Program Req. Amount Rec. Amount Comments 1 Asian American & Pacific Islanders of SLO (AAPI SLO) AAPI SLO: Our Voices, Our Stories Project would build organizational and programmatic capacity while honoring the community's resilience. Funding would support the 5th annual festival, which is a one-day AAPI cultural celebration with food, music, and art. Leading up to the event, there will be storytelling events throughout the year. Funds will support staff training, supplies, rent, and professional support. $15,000 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. 2 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of SLO County SLO CASA DEI Project Project would support and build cultural competency and expertise of CASA staff and volunteers by expanding outreach and recruitment efforts to diversify pool of volunteers for underrepresented demographics. Funds would support a portion of the CASA Training Manager's salary, a portion of one of the CASA Advocate Supervisors who leads programs serving LGBTQ and other teens within the CASA program, and training for staff in best practices. $10,000 $10,000 Recommended fully funding this grant cycle. 3 Diversity Coalition of SLO County SLO Equity Podcast Program would be an episodic podcast (at least 12 per year) dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices in SLO County. Podcast will highlight the experiences of BIPOC, women of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, low- income and housing insecure individuals, and others. It will also feature the efforts of local leaders in the equity space. Each topic will align with funding priorities for this grant. Funds would support production, marketing, admin, and other expenses. $20,000 $10,000 Recommended partially funding this grant cycle. Grantee to scale services based on amount funded. 4 GALA Pride and Diversity Center* Queer Leadership and Civic Engagement Initiative Program would empower individuals in San Luis Obispo County to become effective community leaders, advocates, and changemakers. The cohort will include 8-10 emerging leaders (with an emphasis on recruiting youth and young adults ages 18-35) who will participate in monthly workshops, mentorship, and projects. Funds would support staffing, training, events, reporting, admin, and other. $20,000 $15,000 Recommended partially funding this grant cycle. Grantee to scale services based on amount funded. Additionally, HRC would like to stipulate that at least 75% of the cohort must be from City of SLO or have a strong tie to the City. Page 105 of 108 5 Hospice of SLO County Volunteer Training & Community Outreach Program would include comprehensive DEI training for new volunteers and outreach initiatives to spread awareness about services to hard-to-reach populations. Funding would support staff salaries, volunteer onboarding, training materials, technology, and marketing. $20,000 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. 6 Literacy for Life Literacy Program Program teaches non- or low-literate adults to read, write, and speak English. Program assesses each learner's literacy level and guides them to meet their individual literacy learning goals. Tutors work one-on-one with the learners. Funds would support all aspects of the program. $15,000 $7,925 Recommended partially funding this grant cycle. Grantee to scale services based on amount funded. 7 Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) Housing/ Wellness Navigator Program Program provides direct housing support, eviction prevention, and rental assistance to families facing housing insecurity. Funds will also assist families in accessing wraparound services such as Medi-Cal, SSDI, etc. Funds would support an Admin Assistant salary. $20,000 $0 Grant applicant has withdrawn their application. $20,000 will need to be re- allocated. 8 One Cool Earth Salud y Conocimiento en el Jardín - One Cool Earth School Garden Program at Pacheco Elementary School Program provides culturally-sensitive garden- based education to students at Pacheco Elementary School during the 2026-27 school year. Includes a campus garden and a trained garden educator who delivers a minimum of 6 lessons in both English and Spanish. Funds would support the cost of the bilingual garden educator and gardening supplies. $10,000 $10,000 Recommended fully funding this grant cycle. 9 RACE Matters SLO County* Advancing Community Belonging and Cultural Representation Through Signature Events Project would support two annual events: 1) Stories Matter (a live storytelling showcase that features community members’ stories in addition to local musicians) and 2) Day with Santa (a family event with a Black Santa). Funds would support rentals, admin, decor, labor, and refreshments. $6,600 $6,600 Recommended fully funding this grant cycle. 10 SLO Disabled American Veterans Memorial Chapter 45 2026 Ability Fair and Expo Project would be a two-day event gathering federal, state, and local benefit agencies, assistive technology vendors, health providers, and peer-support organizations in a one-stop hub. Funds would support food and beverage, set-up, transportation, printing, and postage. $17,703 $0 Applicant is ineligible to receive funds as a standalone entity. Page 106 of 108 11 SLO for Home & Church World Services* SLO for Home Program would support resettlement for refugees of war-torn countries, provided through direct referrals from Church World Services, including housing, culturally appropriate food, healthcare referrals, legal services, transportation, education, and technology support. Financial support is provided in the first year, which is gradually reduced as the family gains financial independence. Funds may support rent and transportation. $20,000 $4,475 Recommended partially funding this grant cycle. HRC would like to stipulate that funds must be used only for resettlements in the City of SLO. 12 SLO Hillel* Central Coast Jewish Heritage Festival Project would support Central Coast Jewish Heritage Festival, which includes the Jews of Color free speaking event. Funds would support advertising, security, and photography/videography costs. $20,000 $6,000 Recommended partially funding for this grant cycle, originally stipulated to just be used for Jews of Color series. 13 SLO Museum of Art Peter Krashes Exhibition and Public Programming Project would present a Spring 2026 exhibition by artist and community activist Peter Krashes as well as free public programs to engage historically marginalized communities. Funds would support exhibition production, public programming, marketing, and staff time. $10,000 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. 14 SLO Noor Foundation Accessible Healthcare for All - City of SLO Project Program would provide underserved residents with free medical, dental, vision, and mental health services through brick and mortar and telehealth access. Program would also provide translation services and community resources as well as medical training opportunities for students. Funds would support staffing costs and supplies. $20,000 $20,000 Recommended fully funding this grant cycle. 15 SLO People's Kitchen SLO People's Kitchen Program provides a hot meal at noon for anyone that needs it in San Luis Obispo, with increasing numbers. Funding would support paper goods and food. There are no screenings or preconditions for meals. $10,000 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. 16 SLO United Methodist Church Beacon Art Show Project would be a venue for local artists to show their talent, vision, and interpretation of the show's theme - which this year is "DEI - Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion." $1,500 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. Page 107 of 108 17 SLO Wind Orchestra Movement to Music: An Equitable Concert Series for Seniors Project would expand the Movement to Music concert series, which is designed to provide accessible cultural experiences that promote physical and mental well-being for seniors. Funding would increase the number of concerts and provide a licensed PT to guide light, seated movement. Funds would support outreach, venue costs, and marketing. $10,000 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. 18 Smart Share Housing Solutions Creating Inclusive, Welcoming, Accessible Community: Connecting the Past, Present, & Future Project would be done in two phases: 1) gather input and inform community members on inclusivity and 2) design and incorporate interpretive signs into residents' social networks in below market rate housing. Funds would support the production of the workshop series and the interpretive signs. $20,000 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. 19 Transitions Mental Health Association Fear-Less: A Spanish- Language Course on Managing Anxiety Program would support parents of children ages 6-14 who experience anxiety and help them learn new cognitive behavioral strategies for anxiety management. Bilingual instructors will work with Pacheco Elementary to provide free Spanish- language versions of the course. Funding would support personnel costs and some operating costs. $15,526.50 $0 Did not recommend for funding this grant cycle. 20 UndocuSupport & Corazon Latino, San Luis Coastal Unified School District, Womenade SLO Connected Resources: Schools and Nonprofits in Partnership for Families Program would support families in the City of SLO who have concerns related to emotional well-being, mental health, and basic survival needs. Services include Emotional Support Groups and one-time financial support for basic needs. Connections to families will be made through the school district. Funds would support staff salary, supplies, direct aid, and admin costs. $40,000 $40,000 Recommended fully funding this grant cycle. TOTAL $321,330 $130,000 *Indicates the grant applicant resubmitted an application including restructured and/or clarified information per the request of City staff. Page 108 of 108