'A lifeline': Lodi mayor says funds for homeless center vital for region

Yahoo

25-04-2025

Apr. 25—Lodi's mayor on Wednesday said the city's commitment to building an access center should not be called into question, and that federal funds allocated to support its operation will be spent.
"Contrary to recent claims, the access center project has been consistently and meticulously planned over the last four years, with a clear timeline, dedicated staff, and a broad community input," Mayor Cameron Bregman said. "This facility is not simply a project — it is a lifeline. If withdrawn, these funds would not go back to the county to still be used in our broader San Joaquin County community, but rather go straight back to the federal government and provide no service to our local residents."
Bregman's comments come after San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding said he would be asking the board to take back some $8.2 million in funding allocated to the center during Tuesday's meeting.
Ding said the City of Lodi is currently lacking leadership, internal controls and has no plan to spend the funds.
The supervisor's remarks came a week after the Lodi City Council was scheduled to discuss canceling a previous request for proposals to operate the access center and consider either leasing or selling the facility to a third party for $1.
The discussion was tabled to a future meeting so the entire council could vote on the item, as only three members were present.
Bregman said selling or leasing the site would require the new operator to provide services for five years, adding the city would be using the asset to repay any funding received.
The county allocated $2.8 million in to the city for the access center in 2021. Another $5.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding was allocated the following year. Bregman said pulling the $8.2 million funding Ding referenced would force the city to use general fund dollars to complete the access center, as well as cause it to lose the ability to address homelessness.
He added the city's community development department, which has guided the project since its 2021 inception, has devoted hundreds of hours planning, securing funding, and coordinating logistics for the project with many agencies, including county staff.
To halt it now, he said, would undermine years of hard work and relationships, as well as deny critical services to vulnerable residents.
And while the city is currently experiencing executive transitions with the recent decision to place city manager Scott Carney on administrative leave, Bregman said the core group of city and county staff members are still working together to complete the project.
"The city's acting leadership team has not only maintained city operations but has continued to move key initiatives forward, including the access center," he said. "We, the city, the staff, and this council are not only managing, but in full force, with highest work ethics, driving forward our goals and objectives."
While Bregman said funds withdrawn would be returned to the federal government, the project's MOU between the city and county state they would be returned to the latter if not used for the approved project by Sept. 30, 2025.
In addition, the MOU states the city "agrees to maintain all program, fiscal, statistical and management records and make such records available for inspection by county representatives," and that those records include "property documents, any and all costs associated with the project, opening of the access center, and learning and job training readiness center invoices, records of services rendered, and receipt/contractor service-related correspondence."
Failure to comply with county requests and inspections results in a breach of the MOU.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Federal Assistance Management, the federal government retains a reversionary interest in real property constructed, acquired, or improved with federal funds.
Modernization projects totaling $500,000 or more are required to file a Notice of Federal Interest against the property title, and all construction projects are required to file an NFI. In addition, the NFI requires prior written approval in order for a property owner to mortgage, sell, transfer or use the property for a purpose inconsistent with the award.
The HRSA said while leasehold improvements — modifications made to a leased property to accommodate the specific needs of a tenant — are allowed under federal funding, property owners must provide a landlord letter of consent and agree in writing to allow the recipient to undertake the proposed project; acknowledge federal interest and file an NFI against the property title in the local jurisdiction before the project begins; and agree to modify the lease with additional terms that indicate the continued rights of the recipient or federal government in the event that the lessor of record changes.
Construction on the permanent access center, located at 710 N. Sacramento St., was scheduled to begin this month and last about a year. The planned 23,000-square-foot center would include overnight space for about 100 individuals, which could be expanded to 200 if needed.
Plans also call for a commercial kitchen, space for as many as four classrooms, a medical clinic and offices.
The council is expected to receive an access center progress update at a future meeting, and Bregman invited supervisors and county staff to attend.
"The city is committed to completing the access center and strengthening our partnership with the county," he said. "We believe in a shared responsibility to serve all residents, especially those in greatest need. We urge the board of supervisors to continue on the path already set forward for this vital regional project."