The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutED Homeless Action Plan ReportCITY OF Eida Item No: b*C* ng Date: February 18, 2014 1111111liq W RT =P, GW1 1k Prepared by: Stephanie Lovette, 99.. - Economic Development Manager City Manager Approval SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF REPORT ON CITY OF SAN RAFAEL HOMELESS ACTION PLAN FROM CITY COUNCIL HOMELESS SUB COMMITTEE ir iq�� I I i �� 1 11 1 Q1111 "fWAIAW � I� M =4 BACKGROUND: In early 2012 Mayor Phillips established a two member City Council Subcommittee on Homelessness. Vice Mayor Levine chaired this Subcommittee and was joined by the Mayor. Councilmember Colin is the current Subcommittee Chair. The Subcommittee took on the charge to reduce the number of homeless in San Rafael. At the same time they wanted to create a welcoming and safe environment for all and provide for our most vulnerable, by coordinating with social service providers. In the summer of 2012, the Subcommittee created a community Stakeholders Group on this issue. The Stakeholders Group met in July, August and early October 2012. The Stakeholders Group's work resulted in a list of actions recommended to the Council Subcommittee for their consideration. During 2012, San Rafael City Councilmembers, and staff also participated in the Marin 10 year plan to end homelessness entitled Home for All. The Home for All Plan was developed through an extensive community process that included residents, consumers, local social service agencies and organizations outside of Marin that shared their "best practices". The work of the San Rafael community stakeholders group and the Home for All Plan process formed the development of a City of San Rafael Homeless Action Plan, which was adopted in June 2013. The Plan is a series of actions that can be undertaken by the City to address the impact of the street population on Downtown. The Plan recognizes the limitations of local government in addressing these issues and therefore focuses on Police and Fire Department actions and better coordination with social service agencies, County mental health and the court system. Plan implementation FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: Council Meeting: 4 Disposition: Li started in thesummerof 1 -- main ♦ # the hiring of ♦ mental healt professional accountable to the SRPD, the addition of a third Downtown foot bea officer and additional open space ranger staffing and entering into a contract with th Downtown Streets Team. An importantpart of Plan is reporting on - Plan's progress ♦ ! receivin input from the community. The City Council requested that the Citizens Adviso Committee on i i Development ani # i♦! - Housing hold communit, meetings on the Plan and develop recommendations to the City Council based on th community input. The CAC held its first quarterly update on October 3, 2013 and second plan update meeting on -! ♦ry 6, 2014. CouncilmemberColin,♦ of City Council Subcommittee attended both CAC meetings. Mayor Phillips also attende i February !♦ 6 2014 meeting. ii! DISCUSSION. The City's Plan consists of a series of actions to be undertaken by the City including the SRPD, the SRFD, and the Economic Development Department, and by other groups as i Business ! i -("BID"),and by communityat large. i i actions were prioritized iii i Plan. The Subcommittee desires to update the community and the City Council on the first six months of the Plan implementation. Accomplishments during the first six months of the Plan: HOME i♦ partnership with i • R Team, Ritter ` ii mental health streetteam, the County mental health team were able to help 13 people get off the ♦ ! i appropriate ". " programs ii♦ i Attachment B) Member0 12 of - Downtown -- obtained permanent employment 0 DST performed 5,149 hours of community service work in San Rafael 0 SRPD open space rangers located and worked with San Rafael DPW to clear 70 campsites • •! Downtown ii patrol -! - -i more than10 subjects Marini & City Council membersestablished committee ! homelessness with representatives from each City /Town chaired by Councilmember Colin The Subcommittee is also recommending an updated list of priorities and actions for i next six months.i of the recommended Work ! Coalition i reduce alcohol access i ! ♦ to implement newpolicies adopted in Februaryto address behaviors SRPD to work with Marin♦ i "` to implement policies regarding iii U AIR Work with County and courts on serial inebriate issues including programs tle: compel choice of treatment vs. convictions I • Schedule City Council tours of the Mill Street shelter and New Beginnings Center and operated by Homeward Bound'and the REST Program • Hold a City Council study session on housing options, including permanent supportive housing, lower cost housing with no special services, transitional housin such as New Beginnings, shelter beds such as Mill Street and the REST program 10 Recommend that the County of Marin adopt Laura's Law & assist with implementation (see Attachment C) 10 Research options for City to address violations of San Rafael Municipal Code (community courts, responsibility circles, etc.) The full list of the Subcommittee prioritization recommendations are shown on Attachment A. One member of the CAC also asked the City Council the provision of additional publi rest rooms in the Downtown to serve the homeless. The City Manager has requeste staff prepare a memo on the issue. I FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact from the acceptance of this report. The curren programs contained in the Action Plan have already been included in the City's 2013 2014 budget and are recommended to continue into the 2014-15 fiscal year. I RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the report and the Homeless Subcommittee strategies prioritization recommendations contained in Attachment A. A. Homelessness Subcommittee Strategies Prioritization (February 2014) B. Progress Report from SRPD HOME Team C. SRPD memo on Laura's Law D: Progress Report from Downtown Streets Team Click HERE for more information on the City's Homeless Plan and documents. Attachment A HOMELESSNESS SUBCOMMITTEE STRATEGIES PRIORITIZATION" Updated February 204A 5--r Hired Downtown Streets Team to work in San Rafael Hired Mental Health Outreach staff in the SRPD and accountable to the City of San Rafael Increased downtown economic efforts Continued cleanup efforts in parks and open spaces including increasing funding for open space ranger positions Provided additional Police presence as needed, and pursued "Hot Spot" policing efforts Organized a Focus on Homelessness month of events (September 2013) Participated in the Thursday Morning Group with local businesses, residents and service providers Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development & Affordable Housing (CAC) hosted two community meetings on the City's Homeless Plan Investigated procedures in place regarding San Quentin releases and drops offs at Transit Center. SRPD worked with San Quentin to mitigate impacts MTN or 111111111111 1541 * Increase vibrancy of downtown by continuing to work with Business Improvement District ("BID) hospitality task force on events that bring people downtown and showcase the positive aspects of our community. * Actively support the BID * Meet regularly with San Rafael Chamber of Commerce to get local business involved in this issue Continue to work with the County on the implementation of the 10 year Plan and the specific implementation strategy committees. Continue to build a relationship with Jason Satterfield, County Homeless Coordinator, County Mental Health, County Alcohol and Drug Treatment and the Public Guardian. Work with County Homeless Coordinator and the Marin Partnership to End Homelessness to better advertise the existing inventory of local services & use of the 211 system. Support Housing First that provides stable housing to allow people to rebuild their lives and assists the precariously housed to avoid shelter stays. Continue to implement the affordable housing policies in the General Plan. Report outs through the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development & Affordable Housing ("CAC"). Attachment A • Improved coordination of services with the County (City as facilitator). • Marin Mayors & Councilmembers Committee ("MCCIVIC") subcommittee of elected officials on the homeless issues I � 1111q�pq 4;�1 q 11! 161161 1,11i III I • Direct staff to prepare memo on additional bathrooms in Downtown • Recommend that the County of Marin adopt Laura's Law and work with County staff, service providers, families and the courts to implement the Law • Schedule City Council tours of the Mill Street shelter and New Beginnings Center operated by Homeward Bound and the REST Program • Hold a City Council study session on housing options (permanent supportive housing, lower cost housing with no special services, transitional housing such as New Beginnings, shelter beds such as Mill Street and the REST program) • Work with the community to develop an annual "Focus on Homelessness" month of events ;161100 =9 =� ill��ill� 1 111111; 11r, illli 11111011 ll ii 0 1 • Work with Community Coalition to reduce alcohol access • Work other on criminal justice aspects -Compel choice of Treatment vs. Convictions • Research options for City to address violations of San Rafael Municipal Code (community courts, responsibility circles, • Work with Library to implement new policies adopted in 2014 to address behaviors • Work with other organizations that provide computers to provide more access to reduce the load at the library. Get local businesses involved with the solutions Coordinate improved animal licensing with Marin Humane Society Work with the Downtown Streets Team to secure additional funding to expand the number of positions on the Team SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NO MODIFICATION The subcommittee is recommendinq that the following items listed as medium priorit i the plan continue to be medium prioritv: )ri Y] Determine which of the short term policies are successful and can be codified. Continue to work with Marin Partnership to End Homelessness (Continuum of Care organization) and the County to identify overlap and inefficiencies (10 yr. plan priority) Work with local businesses and the County for funding opportunities Attachment A RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMOVAL FROM THE PLAN DUE TO COMPLETION, LOWER PRIORITIZATION AND THE NEED TO ALLOCATE STAFF TIME TO OTHER TASKS: • Exploration of additional options for addressing nuisance behaviors in the Downtown such as a sit\lay ordinance • Participation in Thursday Morning Group Meet with religious organizations to thank them and promote community outreach. Explore possibility of receiving support/action from Assemb.lyman Levine to address this issue in suburban and rural communities like Marin County. Issues may include the difficulty and expense in providing medical detox and drug and alcohol treatment to a small population in a large geographic area. Attachment B HOME Team Downtown Impact Report —January 2014 The below numbered lines represent people who The HOME Team has been working on with the help of our Patrol Officers, Foot Beat, the CARE Team, The Ritter Center, Unit B, Unit A, the Forensic M u Iti-Disci pli nary Team and the Public Guardian"s Office. The HOME Team (Cpl. Hornstein and Lynn Murphy) have been able to assist the following people off of the streets of San Rafael. Having the people below off of the streets of San Rafael is a step toward achieving one of the HOME Team's goals, which is to reduce the calls for service that some of the homeless population create. In addition to what the HOME Team has accomplished, our SRPD Rangers have located and cleaned up more than 70 campsites since July 1st. Our Foot Beat officers have cited/arrested more than 200 subjects in our downtown area. 1. Homeless subject received a bus ticket back to Texas with help from the Ritter Center. 2. Mentally ill homeless woman returned to Sonoma County. 3. Was hospitalized and put into supportive housing. 4. Homeless mentally ill subject is now in custody. 5. Currently conserved and will be moving to supportive housing. 6. On temporary conservatorship and the plan is for him/her to be conserved. 7. In locked facility in Fremont. T. In Helen Vine and currently being treated at Medication Clinic at MGH. Attempting to get him/her into the Odyssey Program. In custody and will hopefully be returning to Illinois upon his/her release. 10. In custody until 5/16/14. We are hopeful that he/she will be sent to treatment. 11. Got into Project 90 for 90 day treatment in Fremont. 12. Currently conserved and in RSS (Residential Supported Services) out of county. 13. Currently at Pine Ridge via MGH. If released, hopeful he/she will be placed into treatment. Case for •!i of • Law writ =_ Attachment C Assisted Outpatient Treatment, also known as Laura's Law, is a California statute that was signed into law by Governor Gray Davis in 2002. It is named after Laura Wilcox., a 19 year old woman who was shot to death in a mental health clinic by a mentally ill man named Scott Thorpe. Mr. Thorpe's family had tried unsuccessfully to force him into treatment. Laura's Law is directed at those with a history of mental illness who also have a high number of contacts with law enforcement, the criminal justice system and a propensity towards violence towards self or others. For those people, the courts may mandate outpatient treatment in order to address the mental health issues that are causing the disruptive patterns of behavior. Laura's Law must be voted on by each County's Board of Supervisors. Nevada County, where Laura Wilcox was killed, has implemented Laura's Law and found that the results have been successful: decrease in hospitalization, incarceration., emergency contacts and homelessness. The resulting budgetary savings were an added bonus. This has been outlined in great detail by the National Alliance on Mental Illness {NAMI) as it advocates for more counties to implement Laura's Law. We talked a lot about Laura's Law at Crisis Intervention Training in October, and the overwhelming opinion from the law enforcement folks in the room is that Laura's Law is a / would be a tremendous help to not only law enforcement and other first responders, but most importantly to the mentally ill. The law is only for those who are so mentally ill that they would not choose to seek treatment on their own because they don't know that they are ill. That is part of the mental illness, so it is incumbent on outsiders (often law enforcement [LE]) to step in the try to get them help either through hospitalization or jail. With Laura's Law, the courts can mandate treatment for those who have been non-compliant and have a history of violence or interactions with LE. This can stop the revolving door of trips to the ER, jail and back to the streets. We knowl from first-hand experience, how hospitalization works here in Marin and how many of th folks that we bring in are released soon after entering the Unit. With Laura"s Law,, those most in need o treatment would be able to get it because they would be compelled to by the court. NAMI Marin is huge supporter of Laura's Law, and would like to see it implemented here in Marin. From my ow personal experience working with seriously mental ill people and their families, I see only positiv outcomes from the implementation of Laura's Law. There are many other people like Scott Thorp living in Marin County who can be helped and other, potential victims, like Laura Wilcox, whose lives ca be saved. Attachment D San Rafael I pact � Updated 1/17/13 (1) Improve self-sufficiency of Team Members within six months, as measured by a Self -Sufficiency Matrix (SSM). Within three months, 79% of Team Members have improved their SSM scores, with the remaining 21% staying constant. (2) At least 8 Team Members will obtain permanent employment. 100% of such Team Members will retain employment for at least three (3) months. 12 Team Members have obtained permanent employment, and while some of the 12 have been working less than three months, all 12 are still employed. They have been hired at businesses including UPS,, Target, Precision Auto, and The Rafael Senior Center. (3) Team Members will cumulatively perform at least 8,700 hours of cleanup work zach year in downtown San Rafael. As of January 10, 2013Team Members had volunteered 5,149 hours in San R,afael. (4) Contractor will work to improve business and community perceptions of homeles, persons, as measured by surveys that will be administered to the Busines4.. Improvement District at the onset and conclusion of the contract term. Contracto, all create a business advisory team. As of November 2013,. Downtown Streets Team had surveyed the major business corridors of 4 th Street and B Street. Additionally, our Business Advisory Council has been created and has met four times. The •group is composed of: Carol Thompson, Directorl Business Improvement District Andre Sisneros, Co -Owner, Gamescape Rich Goldstein, Owner, Copy Shop / President, Business Improvement District Bob Heinen, Owner and Publisher, Pacific Sun Ian Anderson, Esq., Burroughs & Froneberger Joanne Webster, San Rafael Chamber Attachment D • • Current le•ngth on waitlist: 6 weeks Number of unique individuals who have attended a Team Meeting: 130 0 Attachment D so-o-m— I Team Demographicf-I Asian Attachment D Farmers Market (contract for 2014) Business Improvement District (worked community events,. volunteering with holida -tarking program, referred to business owners for private events) Bellam Self Storage ($1,.500 donation to continue cigarette butt collection) liq 11 0 0 1 1111111 !'� M 0 San Rafael Leadership Group (Project Director participant in 2013/2014 class) HMIS Selection Committee (joined in November 2013) H Attachment D GrantEmergency Solutions Outreach Program 2013) ROUTING SLIP APPROVAL O INSTRUCTIONS: O FORM R EACH SUBMITTAL j O j CONTRACT, ® j j R SuccessorORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION BEFORE APPROVAL BY COUNCIL / AGENCY. SRCC AGENDA ITEM NO. • DATE OF February ! FROM: Stephanie Lovette j • • `IF! • ` February 12, 2014 Department Head (signature) *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** (LOWER HALF OF FORM FOR APPROVALS ONLY) APPROVED AS COUNCIL / AGENC AGENDA City Manager (signature) lm � j � ... i j � � �► City Attorney (signature)