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
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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