REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Mayor Office of Mayor & City Manager NELSON ESPARZA, Councilmember City Council, District Seven BY: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager Office of Mayor & City Manager SANTINO DANISI, City Controller/Director Finance Department SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the Federal government shutdown: 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 26th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2025-179 to appropriate $250,000 to fund the Central California Food Bank in the City of Fresno (Five Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor's Veto) 3. Affirm the City Manager's finding that Central California Food Bank (CCFB) is Uniquely Qualified to perform the services outlined in the agreement 4. Approve a Service Agreement with Central California Food Bank for the provision of emergency food distribution to at-risk City of Fresno residents from October 31, 2025 through February 28, 2026 in the amount of $250,000. (Citywide) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council adopt the 26th amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2025-179 to appropriate $250,000 to fund food banks in the City of Fresno, affirm the City Manager's finding that Central California Food Bank (CCFB) is uniquely qualified to perform food distribution services and approve the Service Agreement with CCFB for food distribution services in the City of Fresno using General Fund resources in the amount of $250,000.00 for services performed October 31, 2025 through February 28, 2026, and authorize the Finance Director, or designee, to sign all implementing agreements. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno (City) is seeking to amend its FY 2026 Annual Appropriation Resolution to appropriate $250,000 to fund food banks in the City of Fresno. Additionally, the City seeks to award funding for food distribution services in response to the Federal government shutdown and pause in SNAP benefits to City of Fresno residents. The City further seeks to affirm the City Manager's finding that the Central California Food Bank is uniquely qualified to perform food distribution services at the scale and in the timeframe required by the lapse in SNAP benefits. BACKGROUND On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the City Council adopted Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2025-179 appropriating funds to various projects. During its Council meeting on October 30, 2025, Councilmember Nelson Esparza expressed interest in utilizing General Fund monies to fund food banks that distribute food to City of Fresno residents in response to the interruption in SNAP benefits to city residents as a result of the Federal government's shutdown on October 1, 2025. The City's procurement process requires contracts to be awarded after a bidding process unless the City Manager finds that the awardee of the agreement is uniquely qualified to fulfill the scope of work of the agreement. The City Manager determined that the Central California Food Bank is uniquely qualified to provide food distribution services to city residents at the scale and timeline required by the sudden cessation of SNAP benefits. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, which exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, with no further expansion of existing use. The project pertains to ongoing distribution of food services in an existing facility. Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. LOCAL PREFERENCE This awardee was determined to be uniquely qualified. FISCAL IMPACT This service agreement will utilize $250,000 in General Fund resources. Attachments: Categorical Exemption 26th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2025-179 Uniquely Qualified Memo Service Agreement - Central California Food Bank