Committee approves grant authority for Hough climate resilience pilot

The Finance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee approved Ordinance 400‑2026 to allow the city to apply for and accept grants to establish a two‑year climate resilience pilot focused on workforce development.

Acting Director Anand Natarajan told the committee the pilot would be an "intergenerational workforce development for resiliency," aiming to hire youth and seniors to work with existing departments to implement green infrastructure such as tree planting. Natarajan said the city would seek up to $250,000 in philanthropic grants and that the Hough neighborhood is the target area for the program.

When asked where philanthropic funds would come from, Natarajan said the city was still applying and could not yet disclose specific foundations; he pledged to share funder information once the application process advances. Council members confirmed that the item had passed or been discussed in the workforce education committee and that Councilwoman House Jones is aware and supportive.

The committee approved the ordinance; staff noted grant dollars had not yet been secured and would require follow‑up reporting and coordination with other departments.