Berkeley council adopts first-reading ordinance reforming Human Welfare and Community Action Commission, halts proposed merger

The Berkeley City Council voted on March 26 to adopt the first reading of an ordinance reforming the Human Welfare and Community Action Commission (HWCAC) and to halt further work on a proposed merger with the Peace and Justice Commission.

Staff presented two options: Option A would merge the HWCAC and the Peace and Justice Commission to reduce vacancies and administrative burdens; Option B would reform the HWCAC’s enabling ordinance to address compliance with Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) requirements without merging the two commissions. Peter Radu, interim deputy director overseeing neighborhood services, said the city had received a February 16 letter from the California State Department of Community Services and Development warning of an anticipated high-risk designation for its CSBG funding unless the city demonstrated corrective action. "Staff are providing an option A and an option B for either moving forward with the commission merger or revising the HWCAC ordinance to ensure CSBG funding compliance," Radu said.

Council debate split on priorities. Councilmember Humbert argued in favor of consolidation, saying merger could alleviate staff workload and better integrate peace-and-justice priorities into city work. "Consolidation would serve administrative efficiencies and help staff prioritize top work," Humbert said. Multiple other council members and several commission members disagreed, saying shrinking or merging the commissions risked reducing community input and the tripartite representation required for CSBG oversight.

After public comment from several commissioners and community members — many urging the council to preserve the HWCAC’s tripartite structure and resist a merger — the mayor moved a substitute motion adopting the supplemental recommendation to pass Option B (24B), and to direct the city manager to cease work on a potential merger. By roll call the council approved the substitute motion; the clerk announced the motion carried.

The staff presentation and council debate focused on two practical constraints: (1) federal CSBG rules require a functioning tripartite board to oversee CSBG funds, and (2) the state’s recent notice required the city to show corrective steps to avoid funding jeopardy. Staff said the HWCAC brings in approximately $300,000 per year in CSBG funds and that long-term vacancies had triggered the state action.

Council action was procedural — the body adopted first reading of the ordinance to reform HWCAC (24B) and instructed staff not to continue work on the consolidation. The item will return for subsequent readings and final adoption consistent with the city’s charter and notice requirements.

What the council approved: the first reading of an ordinance to reform the HWCAC to satisfy CSBG compliance and to direct staff to stop pursuing a merger with the Peace and Justice Commission. The council recorded the motion as carried by roll call; the mayor said staff will proceed with the reforms needed to preserve federal funding.

Next steps: staff will finalize ordinance language and return to council for any required second readings and final adoption. Councilmembers, commissioners and members of the public urged staff to continue outreach to ensure the HWCAC maintains significant representation for low-income residents and other required stakeholders.