Council approves modified CHHS emergency contracting schedule after Truth Ministries withdraws request for city funding

Council considered a request from the Department of Community, Housing and Human Services (CHHS) for a special‑market‑conditions procurement to continue scattered‑site and navigation contracts through the end of the year. The administration circulated an amendment to remove Truth Ministries as a contract recipient at the organization’s request; staff said Truth Ministries cited insurance and performance/data requirements in asking not to receive city funding.

Council suspended the rules to keep the matter on the Nov. 10 schedule and then approved the amendment to lower the total contract amount (administration cited a reduction to roughly $885,000 from an amount over $1 million) and to adjust the RFP closing date. Council and staff stated the change was at the provider’s request; staff also emphasized the city had mechanisms for special market conditions when continuity of navigation and shelter services were at stake.

No additional contracts were finalized at the agenda‑setting meeting; councilors asked CHHS to provide the explanatory narrative and a clean amendment text for the upcoming meeting.