Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout65C - AGMT - AA - PILOT PROGRAM HOMELESS SRVSREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 16, 2014 TITLE: PILOT HOMELESS PROPERTY STORAGE CHECK -IN CENTER AND ENHANCED PUBLIC RESTROOMS SERVICES {STRATEGIC PLAN 1, 1G} CITY MANAGE RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: r_AVJJ_:T9TWW ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2 "d Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Authorize negotiations and City Manager authority to enter into an agreement with Mercy House for the operation of a pilot property storage check -in center for use by the homeless in the Civic Center vicinity and allocate a project budget of $54,500 for start-up costs and $136,000 for annual operating expenses for a total amount not to exceed $190,500, subject to approval by the City Attorney, with provision for a one -year extension exercisable by the City Manager. 2. Direct the City Manager to enter into negotiation with the Orange County Transit Authority and the County of Orange to amend the Memorandum of Understanding to extend the public restrooms hours at the Santa Ana Transit Terminal. 3. Approve an appropriation adjustment recognizing $205,500 in general fund unassigned fund balance and allocate the same in the General Non - Departmental account (01105015- 62300). DISCUSSION The City of Santa Ana's homeless population is estimated to represent approximately 20 percent of Orange County's total, according to the last official county -wide count in 2013. Although incidents of homelessness can be observed throughout the city, it is most visible in the Civic Center area. The need to enhance homeless services and provide solutions to this long standing challenge is recognized at the local, regional and federal level. The presence of a large homeless population in our government center poses concerns for the visiting public, employees, and the he significant blight; and increased demand for police an( population has also attracted the attention of faith -based feed the homeless. These groups routinely bring food, the homeless, often in an uncoordinated manner which waste of resources. several issues, including public safety neless themselves; poor sanitation and maintenance services. The homeless and charity groups seeking to sere and :lothing and other goods to distribute to inadvertently creates redundancy and a The City's existing lost and abandoned property policy was created to maintain public recreational properties, parks, and Civic Center grounds in an attractive, safe and clean 65C -1 Pilot Homeless Property Storage Check -in Center And Enhanced Public Restrooms Services December 16, 2014 Page 2 condition. This policy complies with State and City laws whereby lost or abandoned property is stored for 90 days. Due to the significant and visible blight in the Civic Center, the policy is routinely enforced in the area. However, staffing and storage limitations are continuous challenges. Due to the need to improve conditions in the Civic Center, staff was directed to evaluate and develop a proposal for a pilot property storage check -in center. Similar projects have been implemented in other cities and have been reported to effectively reduce blight by providing the homeless safe and secure storage of important belongings. In addition, the check -in centers allow homeless individuals improved opportunity to seek employment; attend medical appointments, job interviews, and job or educational training; and connect to existing services and housing programs. Staff recommends Mercy House as the operator of the pilot check -in center as they currently operate the City's homeless emergency shelter and have proven experience and ability to operate similar programs for other local municipalities, including the City of Anaheim and the City of Ontario. The pilot project agreement will require Mercy House to meet the following minimum requirements: • Operate and manage access to three customized commercial storage units (approximately 45' x 8' x 8') at a designated location. Storage facility will provide storage for approximately 225 homeless individuals. • The program will operate two shifts daily, seven days a week from 6:00 am to 8:00 am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. • Electrical outlets for charging cell phones and other small electronic devices will be provided. • Development and implementation of appropriate program policies and procedures for the collection, storage, retrieval and disposal of personal property. • On -site program staff members will provide emergency case management, resource referral services, and assistance with basic needs such as government identification and bus passes. • Coordination of food distribution by volunteers, charity groups and other organizations. • 20 hours of additional targeted outreach and assistance to the transient and homeless population in the vicinity. • Performance measures to evaluate program effectiveness including data collection of the number of clients served, outreach contracts, client referrals, and individuals /families placed in other housing opportunities. Mercy House will be responsible for supplying all materials and equipment required to establish the pilot program. All materials and equipment shall be adequately maintained and will be the property of the City of Santa Ana should the program terminate or the operator change. Mercy House will be compensated up to $190,500 for a period of twelve months which includes an estimated budget of $54,500 for start-up costs, and up to $136,000 for an additional twelve months should the agreement be extended by the City Manager. As the pilot project is intended to serve thgg��CC�iv,,!I',,c enter area, which is managed by the Civic Center Authority via a Joint Powers Agree�A4Tit.(4 ) between the City of Santa Ana and the Pilot Homeless Property Storage Check -in Center And Enhanced Public Restrooms Services December 16, 2014 Page 3 County of Orange, the City will seek the collaboration and support from the County of Orange to provide shared funding and identify an adequate location for the program. City staff have conducted an evaluation and analysis of various sites for the check -in center within the vicinity and recommend the designated site to be within the Civic Center Authority boundaries to facilitate potential joint partnership and funding thru the JPA. Staff's initial analysis indicate two potential options: 1) a portion of the surface parking lot adjacent to the County's Hall of Administration and Building 16 off the corner of Santa Ana Blvd and Ross Street and 2) the vacant OCTA Santa Ana Transit Terminal (SATT) located 400 E. Santa Ana Blvd. Both locations are owned by other public agencies and not controlled by the City of Santa Ana. Establishing a check -in center at these locations would require the cooperation and approval of the respective public agency. Further, staff recommends extending the public restrooms hours which are available at the OCTA SATT. The public restroom facilities at this location are currently provided under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OCTA, the County of Orange, and the City of Santa Ana. The MOU includes a cost sharing agreement which obligates the City and County to reimburse OCTA for custodial services at the site in an annual amount not to exceed $20,434 each for a total aggregate amount of $40,868. Restrooms are currently open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Staff recommends pursuing an amendment to the MOU to extend the hours by two additional hours, from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. The extended hours would complement the check -in center and assist in providing improved sanitary conditions in the Civic Center. Alternatively, the City could seek to provide portable restrooms in the area. The recommended action includes $15,000 within the $205,500 in additional recognized revenue to provide funding for enhanced restrooms facilities. The pilot check -in center project and extension of the restroom hours at the OCTA SATT were presented to the City Council Public Safety Committee meeting on December 8, 2014. The Committee took action to support the staff recommendations outlined in this staff report and recommended the item be presented to the full City Council for consideration and approval. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal No. 1 Community Safety, Objective No. 1 (Modernize the Community Policing Philosophy to improve customer service, crime prevention and traffic /pedestrian /bicycle safety) Strategy G (Participate and collaborate with government agencies and community groups to assist in providing resources for the homeless population). FISCAL IMPACT The appropriation adjustment will recognize $205,500 in general fund reserves and appropriate same to the General Non - Departmental expenditure account (no. 01105015- 62300). APPROVED AS TO FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS: Francisco Gutierrez Executive Director 650 -4e & Management Services Agency _ 65C -4