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shelter. Mayor Thorne asked how that can be addressed if the City does not know from year-to- year the amount which will be granted. Assistant to the City Manager Becky Hopkins reported staff would like to explore opportunities, adding the Human Services Commission has been working on updating their strategic plan and found, through the grant process, there were gaps in service to meet certain needs in the community. Staff would like to evaluate models of more effective service delivery, including various funding options. In terms of the Tri-valley, there is one service provider for each area of need. By going to a more strategic approach, sustainability of service delivery could be increased if they have guaranteed funding over several years and allow the agencies to leverage other funding. Mayor Thorne referenced the crash of 2008 and expressed concerns with having to continue a funding process if the economy crashes again. City Manager Fialho added the idea is to explore and study the matter. In reviewing the information, he discovered it is more about categorization of the funding, so that it meets the City's strategic needs and drive funding into pre-identified service gaps. Whatever model is chosen, it must be flexible enough to address any recessionary impacts. Councilmember Pentin spoke about a larger General Fund allocation and noted if there is a recession, the City would have to reduce it. At times when there are surplus funds, he asked whether staff has made efforts to allocate them. City Manager Fialho stated staff would need to return with a report to the City Council to determine whether there is funding in this economic environment. It is not enough to meet the demand of the region, but he stated the City's formula provides consideration for economic increases/decreases. He invited the Commissions to consider how that would differ in subsequent years. Councilmember Olson offered, in his view, funding only 56% of the requests is not acceptable, particularly in years where there is a General Fund surplus. He stated he takes the request from the Human Services Commission seriously, and suggested the need to reconsider the percentage allocation as well as study the multi-year recommendation. Councilmember Narum asked if staff has visibility into the availability of CDBG funds next year and Housing Program Manager Hernandez reported the numbers presented are projections; there are delays on the Federal level and it is anticipated the City will not get its annual allocation until mid-May. City Manager Fialho stated that a decade ago, the City's allocation of block grant monies was $450,000. Now, it is half that amount. Councilmember Brown referenced the multi-year contracts and asked if there is a way to make the second- or third-years streamlined. Assistant to the City Manager Becky Hopkins reported that is what staff would like to investigate; the City Council is not being asked to decide tonight. Councilmember Brown asked whether in subsequent years the application process would be simplified, and Ms. Hopkins offered to consider the matter. Councilmember Brown referenced Easter Seals of the Bay Area and Hope Hospice and asked where the funds are spent. Housing Program Manager Hernandez reported the goal is to have them make a presentation to the City as to how many Pleasanton residents will be served under the programs. City Council Minutes Page 4 of 8 April 17,2018