DATE: February 18, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: City Manager's Office
TITLE: Amendment 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Dreams for Change to continue and relocate the Safe Parking Program to the Oceanside Country Club Senior Center parking lot, and appropriate Measure X funds from reserves to support the program.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council:
Approve Amendment 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Dreams for Change to modify the scope of work and establish an annual contract amount of $329,329 for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $558,697.
Appropriate $166,671 from Measure X assigned fund balance to support Safe Parking Program operations for the period January1, 2026 through June 30, 2026, and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the amendment upon receipt of all required documents.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Safe Parking Program provides a safe, legal, and managed location for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and residing in their vehicles. The program offers overnight parking combined with case management, connections to housing and supportive services, and site safety measures. Safe Parking serves as a low-barrier intervention that reduces unsafe parking practices, improves neighborhood conditions, and creates a consistent point of engagement for individuals who might otherwise be disconnected from services.
The City of Oceanside currently partners with Dreams for Change to operate the Safe Parking Program at 1919 Apple Street. Under the proposed 2026 operating model, the Safe Parking Program would be relocated to the Country Club Senior Center parking lot at 455 Country Club Lane. The Program will include dedicated staffing for case management, site coordination, peer support, program oversight, and site security. This will ensure a consistent on-site presence, effective client engagement, safety monitoring, and coordination with the City’s Navigation Center and outreach teams. Detailed staffing plans and operational costs have been provided by Dreams for Change and reflect the anticipated needs of a fully operational program.
Staff will continue to strengthen program oversight through regular reporting, improved data tracking, and clearer performance expectations tied to funding.
Relocating the Safe Parking Program to the Oceanside Country Club Senior Center parking lot offers several key benefits, including:
• Improved site stability and predictability for program participants;
• Proximity to supportive services, transit, and other City facilities;
• Enhanced ability to monitor site operations and safety;
• Reduced impacts to surrounding neighborhoods through structured, managed operations; and
• Increased flexibility to scale or expand program capacity over time based on demonstrated need and available resources.
City staff have coordinated internally to confirm that the proposed location is appropriate for program operations and will continue working with relevant departments to address site logistics, insurance requirements, and operational readiness.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the City will fund the Safe Parking Program using Measure X as the primary funding source. This approach aligns with City Council priorities to invest in proven homelessness interventions while ensuring accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes. Continued operation of the Safe Parking Program complements other City initiatives, including the Oceanside Navigation Center and expanded outreach efforts, and emphasizes a service-focused model that prioritizes safety, stabilization, and connection to appropriate housing and community-based resources.
Under the agreement, the contractor shall operate and manage the Safe Parking Program at a City-designated location for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Utilizing a Housing First approach, the Program’s objective is to provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can park and sleep while accessing services necessary to achieve housing stability. The Program is intended to contribute to regional goals of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring through access to housing navigation, stabilization services, and coordinated system resources.
The Program would operate daily from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with the contractor maintaining a minimum of two (2) full-time staff on site during operating hours. Program hours may be modified at the sole discretion of the City based on client needs, with contractor compensation adjusted accordingly for any City-approved changes. Portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be available for use as the adjacent Senior Center will be closed and inaccessible during overnight safe parking lot operations
FISCAL IMPACT
Amendment 1 to the PSA with Dreams for Change is in the amount not to exceed $329,329. The cost for January 2026 through June 2026 is $166,671 which will be charged to the following accounts identified in the table below. Future years’ cost will be requested during the normal budget process. Staff is requesting to appropriate $166,671 to the Safe Parking program account 150152103.5305. Funding source is Measure X assigned fund balance account 103.3020.0223 which has a current available balance of $1.5M; therefore, sufficient funds are available.
|
Description |
FY 25-26 Amount |
Account Number |
Requested Appropriation |
Available Balance |
|
January-June 2026 |
166,671 |
150152103.5305 |
166,671 Funding Source 103.3020.0223 |
$1.5M |
|
Total |
$166,671 |
|
|
|
Measure X funding is proposed to fully support these costs beginning in January 1, 2026. No General Fund impact is anticipated as a result of this action. In addition, the City will continue to actively pursue external grant opportunities to supplement and support Safe Parking operations where available. Program outcomes will be regularly monitored to ensure funds are being used effectively, services are achieving intended results, and investments remain aligned with City Council priorities and performance expectations.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Measure X Citizens Oversight Committee recommended City Council appropriate funds from Measure X to continue operating the program on January 22, 2026.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents related to continuation and relocation of the Safe Parking Program have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Tameka Tates, Homeless Service Manager
Reviewed by: Michael Gossman, Assistant City Manager
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. Amendment One to PSA
3. PSA with Dreams for Change