No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM MCCMC Homelessness Subcommitteecirc of 44 Agenda Item No: 6.a n, Meeting Date: May 4, 2015 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: CITY MANAGER Prepared by: Nancy Mackie, City Manager GGt SUBJECT: REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION REGARDING MCCMC HOMELESSNESS SUBCOMMITTEE PROPOSAL FOR FUNDING A COMMUNITY HOMELESS -FUND RECOMMENDATION: Accept staff recommendations. BACKGROUND: Since 2012, the San Rafael City Council has worked through a Council Homelessness Subcommittee to work with the community to propose policies, programs, and financial resources to the City Council, with a goal of reducing the number of homeless in San Rafael. There have been many successes, most notably the creation of a Police Mental Health Services position, a contract with the Downtown Streets Team, and eradication of fire dangers from encampments in the open space. Throughout these years, City staff has collaborated with County efforts with Countywide plans to end homelessness and with coordination with local service providers. Lastly, the City has been supportive of the faith -based efforts to provide emergency winter shelters (the "REST" program) in San Rafael and surrounding communities. However, the issue of homelessness is still before us and requires additional Countywide efforts. DISCUSSION. Recognizing that Homelessness is a Countywide concern, the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers ("MCCMC"), established an Elected Officials Homeless Subcommittee which began meeting in 2014. Every city and town in Marin has a representative on this MCCMC Subcommittee. With the assistance of Jason Satterfield, the County's Homelessness Analyst, the MCCMC Subcommittee concluded its work in March 2015 with a report (Attachment A) and a plan to have each representative bring this report and recommendation to their respective city/town councils and provide a power point presentation. Councilmember Kate Colin is San Rafael's representative and will give the presentation to the San Rafael City Council. As described in Attachment A, the concept is for each town/city to contribute annually, for three years, to a to -be -formed Community Homeless Fund at the Marin Community Foundation ("MCF"). The funds would be utilized for Homeless Services which could FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: R-2 -��' Council Meeting: 15194(.101-% Disposition: __0_Xccae'l ,X A200-eL SAN RAFAFL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 include, for example, funding of the REST program. This seasonal emergency shelter program has been operating in Synagogues and Churches in Marin for a number of years. The proposal as outlined requires at least six of the 11 cities/towns supporting the concept in order to proceed. The Marin Manager's Association (MMA) comprised of all Marin City Managers and the County Administrator, met and discussed this proposal. The interests raised by MMA were a desire to keep the governance simple given the size of the financial contributions, making sure the collective contributions were used in the context of the County's homelessness continuum of services, and to minimize existing City staff resources. MMA recommends that if the proposal is moved forward by the Councils, City Managers would follow up to work out the details of the MCF fund, create a Marin Managers' Association (MMA) Subcommittee to review the use of the funds each year, and communicate back to their respective city/town Councils. The MMA Subcommittee would work closely with the County's Homelessness Analyst. FISCAL IMPACT: The contribution for three years would total $108,273. There are sufficient funds in the balance of the Homeless Initiative special revenue fund to support this contribution. Each year, since the Homeless Initiative was established, the General Fund has contributed $100,000 for Homelessness activities. City Council authorization to contribute from these earmarked funds would be obtained in connection with the City's upcoming budget process. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Should at least six of the 11 cities/towns support this concept, direct staff as follows: Allocate $108,273 from the Homeless Initiative fund balance, and direct staff to return for final spending authority through the budget process. 2. Direct the City Manager to work with the staff of the County of Marin and the Marin Community Foundation to create a Community Homeless Fund and execute any necessary agreements (in a form to be approved by the City Attorney) to enable San Rafael to contribute to such fund. 3. Direct the City Manager to work with the Marin Manager's Association (MMA) to create a MMA Subcommittee to work annually to review the use of the Community Homeless Fund to ensure consistency with the goals of the City's Homelessness Subcommittee and the County's Continuum of Care. ATTACHMENT A: MCCMC Elected Officials Homeless Subcommittee Report dated March 2015 MCCMC ELECTED OFFICIALS HOMELESS SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT REPORT DATE: March 2015 SUBJECT: Provide input on this proposal to jointly fund, with all the cities and towns of Marin County, the current rotating homeless winter emergency shelter program. RECOMMENDATION: The MCCMC Elected Officials Homeless Subcommittee recommends accepting this proposal. BACKGROUND: Homeless individuals and those at -risk for homelessness exist in every city and town in Marin County even if the individuals are not visible on the street. Service providers are concentrated in a few jurisdictions but serve residents throughout the geographic area of Marin County. In order to reduce the number of homeless, more permanent supportive housing is needed but, in the meantime, there is always a need for more emergency beds during the winter season. Even in communities that have robust homeless options and housing, winter emergency shelter is needed. By combining the efforts of the cities/towns of Marin County, we would be taking the unprecedented step of collaborating together in a meaningful way around the issue of homelessness. In 2014, The MCCMC Subcommittee studied the countywide issue of homelessness and concurrently, the Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) presented their proposal to numerous jurisdictions about funding a permanent location for the Rotating Emergency Shelter (REST). At the November 2014 meeting of the MCCMC Subcommittee, an elected official from each jurisdiction gave feedback and input about what a feasible proposal should include. In January 2015, an HPSC' Working Groupe considered the MCCMC Subcommittee input and created a draft proposal. It had two components: 1) the proposed program and 2) the funding mechanism. In addition, the County reviewed the proposal and provided their input3. In February 2015, the MCCMC Subcommittee met with 100% representation from all the cities and towns of Marin County to discuss the Working Group's draft proposal and provide additional input. As MOC was unable to find a site to rent for a year-round location for REST, they have confirmed that they will continue to provide volunteers and locations for REST for the winter months while working toward a more comprehensive 24/7 shelter solution. Homeless Policy Steering Committee, the County committee supporting the implementation of the County's Home For All plan to end homelessness. 2 Working Group: MK Sweeney, L. Sepahi, P. Fordham, Homeward Bound; M. Parnell, P. Langley, MOC, K. Colin, SR Council, J. Satterfield, Marin Co., G. Thellar CAM (ret), B. Heinen, Pacific Sun owner. 3 February 12 meeting of Supervisors Rice and Connolly, M. Hymel, K. Colin, G. Phillips and N. Mackle. Attachment A PROPOSED PROGRAM: Cities and towns of Marin County supplement the funding for homeless programs such as REST. With additional funding, the program could be expanded and MOC would commit to providing the congregations so that the program would continue to rotate throughout Marin County. REST provides a total of 60 beds: the 40 beds for men rotate and the 20 beds for women are at the Marin Wellness Center. Data will be collected to inform long-term solutions that will be appropriate and meaningful. FUNDING MECHANISM: Create a Community Homeless Fund partly funded by annual contributions from the cities and towns of Marin County. Cities and towns would commit to a 3 -year funding cycle so additional services can be developed and piloted. Cities would pay according to their population size as well as a percentage to be shared equally. In order for this funding mechanism to move forward, 6 of the 11 cities/towns in Marin would need to agree to participate. The County has indicated that they would continue to fund a portion of the program that would reduce the funding outlay by city as well as provide an opportunity for cities and the County to work together. Ideally, this fund could also be used to collect private donations so that the city and town contributions are leveraged. ANALYSIS: Marin County's 2013 Point In Time count found 933 homeless individuals comprised of the following subpopulations: chronically homeless, veterans, families with children and victims of domestic violence. REST is part of the critical safety net for people during the winter months and throughout Northern California, even cities with robust homeless facilities, still have additional shelter beds during this seasonal time period. Homeward Bound provides 176 emergency shelter beds year round so the REST program increases Marin County's capacity by 35%. This proposal is a building block of our County's 10 -year plan and towards establishment of a 24/7 shelter. FISCAL IMPACT: City Funding: Cities would pay according to their population size (2013 US Census data) as well as a percentage to be shared equally. Assuming an expanded 6 -month temporary shelter at $60k/month, total cost is $360k. It is assumed that Marin County and Marin Community Foundation would assist in funding 50% of this total cost so the program is less burdensome for the jurisdictions; therefore, the total below is $180k (50% of $360k). City/Town Totals 190238 $90,000 $90,000 $180,000 Marin County/MCF $180,000 TOTAL FUNDING $360,000 Attachment A 2013 Population 50% by pop 50% equal Annual funding Belvedere 2122 $1,004 $8,182 $9,186 Corte Madera 9459 $4,475 $8,182 $12,657 Fairfax 7607 $3,599 $8,182 $11,781 Larkspur 12204 $5,774 $8,182 $13,955 Mill Valley 14311 $6,770 $8,182 $14,952 Novato 54194 $25,639 $8,182 $33,821 Ross 2464 $1,166 $8,182 $9,348 San Anselmo 12605 $5,963 $8,182 $14,145 San Rafael 58994 $27,910 $8,182 $36,091 Sausalito 7099 $3,358 $8,182 $11,540 Tiburon 9179 $4,343 $8,182 $12,524 City/Town Totals 190238 $90,000 $90,000 $180,000 Marin County/MCF $180,000 TOTAL FUNDING $360,000 Attachment A OPTIONS: 1. Approve a 3 -year funding cycle of the Community Homeless Fund. 2. Request additional information about this joint funding proposal. 3. Reject this proposal and provide input on what is needed to move forward. ACTIONS REQUIRED: Motion to accept a 3 -year funding of the Community Homeless Fund. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit A — Program Budget Exhibit B — List of Congregations who participate in REST Attachment A