Committee approves ordinance to create Community Investment Department after debate over metrics and youth funding

The Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disability Committee voted to approve an ordinance to create a new Community Investment Department that consolidates the Department of Aging, Community Investment for Families, Economic and Workforce Development, and the Youth Development Department.

Chair Hugo Soto-Martinez called the meeting and placed items 1 and 2 on the consent calendar before the committee moved to discuss the consolidation. Councilmember Rodriguez pressed department staff for specific, measurable outcomes, asking, “what are going to be the measurable outcomes associated with each of the work?” Rodriguez said he wanted timelines and benchmarks to evaluate whether the consolidation produced the promised efficiencies.

A CIFD representative, Marquez, told the committee that existing strategies from the youth department will be preserved and integrated into the larger department. "All of the metrics and strategies that were developed for the youth development department will be incorporated as part of a larger set of strategies," Marquez said, adding that staff are starting to meet as an executive team across the four departments and will survey contractors to establish baseline data.

Councilmember Padilla asked how the consolidation would affect youth programming funding, seeking clarification after staff said the youth portfolio would move from roughly $1,000,000 in programmatic general-fund allocations to a portfolio that includes about $45,000,000 in youth-related programming once WIOA and other youth-dedicated funds are counted. Padilla said, “Did I hear you say from 1,000,000 programmatically to 45,000,000?” and staff confirmed the larger figure reflects the broader set of youth-directed funding under the proposed office of youth development.

Throughout questioning, staff said services and contractor dollars would not be reduced by the reorganization and that the change is an administrative realignment intended to improve coordination. Staff also said a proposed Assistant General Manager position would provide dedicated expertise to lead economic development efforts.

After discussion, the committee called the vote. Three members voted to adopt the ordinance, with two members recorded as voting no; the measure was approved by the committee and will proceed with the administrative steps associated with enactment and implementation.

The committee added an instruction tracking and asked that the Chief Legislative Analyst and city administrative offices assist with implementation details and performance reporting so the council can assess timeliness and program continuity.