REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: CRYSTAL SILVA, Senior Management Analyst
Homeless Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the First Amendment to the Service Agreement with Poverello House to enable Mobile Shower and Restroom Operations at sites controlled by the County of Fresno and within Fresno city limits.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the First Amendment to the Service Agreement with Poverello House (Poverello) to enable Mobile Shower and Restroom Operations at sites controlled by the County of Fresno and within Fresno city limits.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno (City) currently has an agreement with Poverello House (Poverello) for the operation of Mobile Shower and Restroom services, effective from September 30, 2025 through September 29, 2026. The proposed First Amendment incorporates the County of Fresno’s indemnification language enabling the operation of Mobile Showers at sites controlled by Fresno County and within Fresno city limits. This amendment does not increase the total funding allocated to Poverello or extend the duration of the existing agreement.
BACKGROUND
In February 2020, The City was awarded HHAP funding in the amount of $6,158,246.18 from the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to address homelessness. In September 2021 the City received $2,911,171 in a second round of HHAP allocations. In January 2023 received a total of $7,524,257.15 in a third round of HHAP allocations. July 2023 received $11,265,425.10 in a fourth round of HHAP allocation and in October 2024 the City received notification of $13,096,671.82 allocation in a fifth round of HHAP allocation. Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5(d) allows program recipients to use their allocation for outreach services, as well as for services coordination for homeless populations.
To utilize HHAP funding to support outreach and diversion services, a NOFA for Mobile Shower Operations was released on July 4, 2025, with two qualified proposals received. A separate review panel including staff from the City’s Housing and Community Development Department, HART, a representative of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, and a member of the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) determined that Poverello’s proposal met all criteria, with a recommended award of $324,000.00 for Mobile Shower and Restroom Trailer operations.
On September 11, 2025, City Council approved a Service Agreement with Poverello to operate Mobile Shower and Restroom trailers within the City of Fresno. For the past year, the City has utilized the Fresno Fairgrounds to operate its Mobile Showers one day each week and this amendment will enable continued use of this site, in addition to other County-controlled sites that may be identified in the future by including necessary indemnification language in the agreement with Poverello.
The proposed First Amendment to the Service Agreement incorporates this required language, thereby authorizing Poverello to expand Mobile Shower operations beyond City boundaries into Fresno County.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
On September 11, 2025 City Council adopted a finding of Categorical Exemption as set forth in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301 for Existing Facilities, which exempts projects involving a negligible or no expansion of any existing facility. This exemption applies because this Project involves the operation of an existing structure and does not involve any expansion of use or physical modification. Services will continue as previously established, consistent with existing or former use. Staff determined under the CEQA Guidelines this project fits within the definition of existing facilities in Section 15301/Class 1 as Categorically Exempt from further CEQA review. Based on staff analysis, it was determined that no adverse environmental impacts would occur because of the proposed project and none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable due to the use of State Funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
The General Fund will not be impacted as this amendment does not result in any change in service delivery cost.
Attachments:
Poverello First Amendment - Mobile Shower Operations
Categorical Exemption Mobile Showers