HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-28; Economic Development Subcommittee - Minute Motion Regarding a Budgetary Recommendation to Address Food Insecurity (Districts - All); Rocha, LauraTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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Oct. 28, 2021
To:
From:
Via:
Council Memorandum
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager @
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID #2021199
Re: Economic Development Subcommittee -Minute Motion Regarding a
Budgetary Recommendation to Address Food Insecurity (Districts -All)
This memorandum provides information related to the Feb. 9, 2021, minute motion
referring the issue of a budgetary recommendation for the fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021
Budget to the former ad hoc City Council Economic Revitalization Subcommittee.
Background
During the COVID-19 health emergency the City Council and the former ad hoc Economic
Revitalization Subcommittee discussed food insecurity in Carlsbad. This was directly related
to concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated food insecurity in the city. Staff
engaged with food service providers, gathered data, and issued several memos to the City
Council. This culminated in a report to the City Council on Feb. 9, 2021. Based on that report
the City Council passed a minute motion referring the issue -making a recommendation for
the FY 2020-21 Budget related to food insecurity-to the ad hoc Economic Revitalization
Subcommittee. The ad hoc Economic Revitalization Subcommittee discussed the issue at
several meetings but didn't come to a consensus recommendation ahead of the FY 2020-21
budget presentation and subsequent approval. The new Economic Development
Subcommittee subsequently took up this minute motion and has provided direction.
Discussion
On June 15, 2021, the ad hoc Economic Revitalization Subcommittee was sunset by the City
Council, and the new standing Economic Development Subcommittee was created. On
Aug. 16, 2021, the new Economic Development subcommittee laid out a general workplan for
the items that would be heard, consistent within the duties outlined by its City Council
formation. At the Economic Development Subcommittee's second meeting on Oct. 18, 2021,
staff sought direction from the new subcommittee regarding the food insecurity issue and
addressing the City Council minute motion that was assigned to the previous subcommittee.
Since the City Council passed its minute motion on Feb. 9, 2021, the landscape of the economic
impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic have changed. Businesses have reopened,
unemployment has decreased, and assistance from federal, state, and local governments has
continued to flow.
Administrative Services Branch
Innovation & Economic Development Department
1635 Faraday Ave I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-4620
Council Memo -Economic Devel. Subcommittee -Minute Motion to Address Food Insecurity
Oct. 28, 2021
Page 2
September unemployment data for the City of Carlsbad was 4.7%, substantially better than the
13.8% at its peak, early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate in the city has
shown consistent improvement and is lower than the county rate of 5.6%. Despite economic
improvement, some food insecurity issues do persist. This includes both issues that were
present prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and those which were exacerbated during the
COVID-19 health emergency.
There are many organizations involved in addressing food insecurity including federal, state,
county, and city government. Businesses, non-profit organizations, and philanthropic groups all
play a part as well. Given the complexity of the situation, the landscape of available resources
and the changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff provided options to the
Economic Development Subcommittee for addressing the food insecurity minute motion. The
consensus of the Economic Development Subcommittee was that the entire City Council should
be involved in the consideration of any budgetary recommendation related to food insecurity.
Additionally, the Economic Development Subcommittee discussion included the idea that any
recommendation regarding food insecurity should consider an evaluation of financial resources
and city priorities. A comprehensive approach to this issue would consider food insecurity in
the context of available resources and in relationship to other budgetary priorities at the time
the city is formulating its budget.
On Oct. 18, 2021, the Economic Development Subcommittee unanimously voted to refer the
issue of a budgetary recommendation related to food insecurity to the FY 2022-23 Budget
discussions. This recommendation completes the task outlined in the minute motion and
concludes the Economic Development Subcommittee's work on the issue.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Should the City Council choose to make a
recommendation to allocate more resources towards addressing food insecurity during the
FY 2022-23 Budget discussions, the fiscal impact of that recommendation would be analyzed at
that time.
Next Steps
Staff continues to engage with food assistance providers to monitor and identify needs and
opportunities to address food insecurity. The Carlsbad Senior Center also continues to provide
food assistance to vulnerable seniors through its meal program. When collaboration or funding
opportunities arise to address food insecurity, staff can work with any involved parties.
Staff will include a food insecurity discussion during the FY 2022-23 Budget process.
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Suzanne Smithson, Library and Cultural Arts Director
Council Memo -Economic Devel. Subcommittee -Minute Motion to Address Food Insecurity
Oct. 28, 2021
Page 3
Kristina Ray, Communications and Engagement Director
Ryan Green, Finance Director
Matt Sanford, Economic Development Manager
Holly Nelson, Senior Program Manager
Joe Stewart, Management Analyst