DATE: November 4, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Housing and Neighborhood Services Department
TITLE: COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION BIENNIAL WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026-27 AND 2027-28 AND AMENDED BYLAWS
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Community Relations Commission’s (CRC), Biennial Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28 and the amended CRC Bylaws.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
In accordance with City Council Policy 100-22, all commissions, boards, and committees must have biennial work plans reviewed and approved by the City Council. The Community Relations Commission’s current comprehensive work plan providing specific goals and objectives for fiscal years (FYs) 2023-24 and 2024-25 was approved by the City Council on December 6, 2023. Due to the late start of this work plan, the CRC continued that work through FY 2025-26.
Oceanside, like many communities in California and the nation, is made up of people from varied backgrounds. Our community represents many different races, cultures, faiths, experiences and traditions, with differing interests, concerns, and preferences. These differences enrich the fabric of our community and at other times can be a source of conflict. The recognition of the unique benefits that diversity, equity, and inclusion bring are more important than ever to creating and sustaining a vital economy, healthy communities and a shared future that supports all.
As an advisory body to the City Council, the CRC does not create policy, however, it does play an important role in evaluating and recommending policies, programs and systems that help people develop a better understanding of each other as a diverse community, positively promoting the City’s rich cultural heritage and advancing social equity and healthier, safer communities.
The CRC’s FYs 2026-27 and 2027-28 Biennial Work Plan (Attachment 1) details specific goals and tasks for the period in support of the Commission’s mission. The proposed Biennial Work Plan expands on the prior years with new specific tasks such as:
§ Hosting monthly community organization presentations at the CRC meetings;
§ Working with other organizations to leverage, align and enhance services/benefits;
§ Supporting, promoting and/or co-hosting educational forums or workshops in the community;
§ Advocating for programs for youth, seniors and marginalized communities, anti-bullying and violence prevention; and,
§ Serving as conduit for community voice.
A significant addition to the Work Plan is a shift in responsibility for coordination and implementation of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Community Service Award and the MLK Academic Scholarship programs, collectively known as the MLK Programs, from the Housing Commission to the CRC. This shift in responsibility, which was contemplated when the CRC was reconstituted and addressed in its original workplan, also necessitates revisions to the CRC’s bylaws as to the appointment and composition of the Selection Committees for the MLK Programs (Attachment 2).
FISCAL IMPACT
The programs and activities of the Community Relations Commission will be supported through the City’s Housing and Neighborhoods Services Department. City staff time associated will be addressed as part of the annual budget process.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
On September 1, 2026, the Community Relations Commission, by motion, recommended the City Council approve the Community Relations Commission’s Biennial Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28 and CRC Bylaws Amendment by a 5-0-0 vote.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The reference documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Jesus Adame
Reviewed by: Leilani Hines, Housing & Neighborhood Service Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
Attachments:
1. FY 26-28 Biennial Work Plan
2. Amended Bylaws