MEETING DATE December 12, 2005
AGENDA ITEM Adoption of a Resolution in Support of Homeless
Housing Services at the VA, Authorization for Staff to
Prepare a Similar Letter as that of the California
Democratic Congressional Delegation Regarding the
Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services
Business Plan Studies for the West Los Angeles VA,
and Co-Sign a Similar Letter with the Westside Council
of Government Cities
ATTACHMENTS
1 Letter to the Honorable R James Nicholson, Secretary
of the Department of Veterans Affairs (October 7, 2005)
2 Resolution No 05- - A Resolution of
the City Council of the City of Culver City in Support of
the Designation of Property at the West Los Angeles
Veterans Administration Campus for Housing for
Chronically Homeless Veterans
Pages
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Attachment 1
Congre5t of the ZEituteb 'tate
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HENRY A WAXMAN
30m DISTRICT CALIFORNIA
SF NIOR OE rv10cR AT I c MEMBER
COMMIT 'I C N
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INENI. sf AND cOIVIIVIEhc.0
October 7, 2005
1 he Honorable R James Nicholson
Secretary
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, D C 20420-0002
Dear Secretary Nicholson
We are writing to express our interest in the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced
Services (CARES) Business Plan Studies for the West Los Angeles VA We understand that you
will be determining which options to further study in the weeks ahead As you make your
decision we urge you to follow the six guiding principles that were unanimously adopted by the
CARES Local Advisory Panel at the second public meeting on September 22 2005 at the
Wadsworth Theater at the West Los Angeles VA
As vou know the West Los Angeles VA is the largest VA site in the nation,
encompassing 387 acres As such, it carries sigruficant regional, state and national interest for
our nation's veterans The West Los Angeles VA attracts and serves veterans not onl y from the
Los Angeles area but also from all parts of the state and the country
According to the Califorrua Department of Veterans Affairs, more veterans live within
fifty miles of the West Los Angeles VA Center than in 42 other states combined We hear from
-vcterans regularly that they are in need of quality medical care support services, mental health
programs and affordable housing We believe it is critical that the West Los Angeles VA st.rvi
as a primary location that provides comprehensive services to these veterans
The property itself has a unique national status The status is the result of significant
protections that were put into place to ensure the land is used to directly benefit our veterans
Wc were pleased that during deliberations at the CARES public meeting, the Local Advisory
Panel acknowledged the protections and adopted them to be used as guiding principles in all
decisions regarding the use of the West Los Angeles VA
I he six guiding principles are|109| lo honor the two pieces of federal legislation that have become known collectively as
the Cranston Act This legislation prohibits sale or enhanced-use leases on 109 acres
at the West Los Angeles VA (See Section 421(b)(2) of the Veterans Benefits' andSincerely,
-11
0.10.W
N YA W A
Member of Congress
IA FEINSTEFN
U S Senator US Senator
ILDA L LiS
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress
RACE NAPOLIT NO
Member of Congress Member of Congress 4ember of Congress
LINDA T SANCHEZ ADAM SCHIFF
JANE HARMAN
October 7 2005
Page 2
Services Act of 1988 Section 401 of the Veterans Benefits Programs Improvement
Act of 1991)
To honor the spint of the 1888 deed from John P Jones and Arcadia B de Baker
granting the land as an Old Soldiers Home by adopting the principle that in perpetuity
the land must be maintained for the direct benefit of veterans|109| To preclude commercial use on the property as stated in the letter dated February 25
2002 from then-Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J Pnncipi to Los Angeles
County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
4 To maintain current land use agreements on the property as listed on pages 20 and 21
in the CARES Stage I Summary Report and add the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Park Conservancy for a
Veterans Park and the City of Los Angeles lease to the list|109| To declare that there is no excess land at the West Los Angeles VA|109| To abide by the National Preservation Historical Act as it applies to the West Los
Angeles VA
We urge you to use these six principles as a foundation in making ongoing decisions
about the West Los Angeles VA Similarly we request that you reject any concept or proposal
that conflicts with their spirit Our veterans must have confidence that the federal government
will continue to provide them with the services a grateful nation owes them
We appreciate your attention to our concern in this matter and for your dedicated work on
behalf of our nation s veterans
QOctober 7 2005
Page 3
VIER B RRA DIANE E W TSON MAXINE WATERS
RAD SHERMAN
ember of Congress
.•:5-„,44....4•4_
JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD
Member of Congress
LORETTA SANCHEZ
Member of Congress
mber of Congress
Member of Congress Member of Congress
• Ile 74°4441
LUCILLE ROYB -ALLARD
Member of Congress
3Attachment 2
RESOLUTION NO 2005-R
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA IN SUPPORT OF THE
DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY AT THE WEST LOS
ANGELES VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CAMPUS FOR
HOUSING FOR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS VETERANS
WHEREAS, the Western region of Los Angeles County has the second
highest concentration of homeless persons in the County including a significant number of
chronically homeless Veterans with serious mental health and substance abuse problems,
and
WHEREAS, the impact of homelessness on our area has increased as the
availability of affordable housing shrinks and costs rise, as mental health programs are
under funded, and public benefit allocations trimmed, and
WHEREAS, the Westside Cities provide a considerable financial allocation
annually to support an array of programs to assist people who are homeless, yet despite
this support there is still a desperate need for more shelter and housing, substance abuse
and mental health treatment, and
WHEREAS, the Westside Cities meet as a Council of Governments and have
appointed a subcommittee to deal with regional solutions to homelessness, and
WHEREAS, this subcommittee has prioritized advocacy for increased
resources for chronically homeless Veterans as its top priority, and
WHEREAS, the Westside Cities have identified the West Los Angeles
Veterans Administration property as a significant, yet underutilized, regional resource with
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great potential in addressing the region s need for services for chronically homeless
Veterans
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE as follows|109| That the City of Culver City, California endorses the designation of
property at the West Los Angeles Veterans' Administration campus for housing and
supportive services for chronically homeless Veterans
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of 2005
ALBERT VERA, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST APPROVED AS TO FORM
(1166-6L46,6,6-
CHRISTOPHER ARMENTA, City Clerk
CAROL A SCHWAB, City Attorney
A05 00666|1010|-2-
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 12/12/05 Item Number: A-2
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution in Support of Homeless Housing
Services at the VA; Authorization for Staff to Prepare a Similar Letter as that of
the California Democratic Congressional Delegation Regarding the Capital Asset
Realignment for Enhanced Services Business Plan Studies for the West Los
Angeles VA; and Co-Sign a Similar Letter with the Westside Council of
Government Cities.
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly W. Chagnon Phone Number: (310) 253-6008
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Westside Council of Governments Councilmembers and Staff for the Cities of Beverly
Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, LA County Supervisor Zev
Yaroslavsky, and Master Notification List (12/7/05).
Department Approval:
Martin Cole 12/5/05
CAO Approval:
Martin Cole for Jerry Fulwood 12/5/05
City Controller Approval:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution in support of homeless
housing services at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration campus (VA),
draft a similar letter as that of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation
regarding the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Business
Plan Studies for the VA, and co-sign a similar letter with the Westside Council of
Government (COG) Cities.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past several months, the COG and Westside Cities Homeless Issues
Subcommittee have met to develop regional homeless strategies. Councilmember
Gross serves as the Co-Chair of this subcommittee, which is also represented by
PRCS Director Bill LaPointe. Of the several areas being addressed, the committee
has discussed efforts to continue advocacy for therapeutic supportive housing for
homeless veterans at the VA and the CARES process as it relates to the VA.
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimates, based upon a count conducted
in late January 2005, that there are approximately 91,000 homeless people in the
county, and 35,000 of them have been homeless for more than a year (also known
as "chronically homeless"). Statistics from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
estimate that homeless Veterans make up one-third to one-half of the homeless
population in Los Angeles.
Over the past several months, homeless agencies currently providing services at the
West Los Angeles VA and the Westside Council of Governments (COG) cities have
been working together to develop concepts for housing homeless Veterans on the
campus of the VA. These concepts include long-term therapeutic supportive
housing for chronically homeless Veterans and homeless Veterans with special
needs. The COG Homeless Issues subcommittee believes that the VA property
offers a unique opportunity given its several empty buildings, extensive open space,
proximity to an array of complementary services, and adjacency to the VA Hospital.
On September 19, 2005, the City of West Hollywood adopted a Resolution
supporting the designation of property at the VA campus for housing for chronically
homeless Veterans.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs is the lead agency for the CARES process,
which is designed to establish broad land use priorities for the VA Campus. On
September 22, 2005, the West Los Angeles CARES Local Advisory Panel heard
public testimony regarding land use proposals for the West Los Angeles VA campus.
The land use proposals that have been presented to the Department of Veterans
Affairs include selling the VA property to develop into commercial and residential
uses. Members of the coalition and representatives from the Westside cities
participated in this hearing to express support to maintain the VA site for services
provided to Veterans. The results of this hearing were transmitted in the October 7,
2005 Congressional Delegation letter addressed to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
and signed by Senators Boxer and Feinstein and several members of Congress
(Attachment 1). This letter presents six guiding principles that were adopted by the
Local Advisory Panel. The guiding principles include honoring federal legislation
prohibiting the sale or enhanced use leases on the VA campus; honoring the original
deed of the property granting its use as an Old Soldiers Home; and precluding
commercial use on the property as stated in 2002 correspondence from the Office of
Veterans Affairs to Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
DISCUSSION:
At its November 19, 2005 meeting, Westside COG discussed the CARES Business
Plan Studies for the VA and recommended taking a position of support in a letter to
be signed by the Mayors of the COG member cities. This letter would be essentially
the same as the one in Attachment 1.
Additionally, in a conversation with Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev
Yaroslavsky’s office, it was suggested that individual cities take a position similar to City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
that of the Democratic Congressional Delegation letter to strengthen the message in
addition to the letter authored by the COG. Staff requests that the City Council
consider submitting a similar letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of
the City. Staff also requests the City Council consider adopting a Resolution in
support of the designation of a property at the VA for housing chronically homeless
veterans (Attachment 2).
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter to the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (October 7, 2005).
2. Resolution No. 05-______________ - A Resolution of the City Council of the
City of Culver City in Support of the Designation of Property at the West Los
Angeles Veterans Administration Campus for Housing for Chronically
Homeless Veterans.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution 05-___A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Culver
City in Support of the Designation of Property at the West Los Angeles
Veterans Administration Campus for Housing for Chronically Homeless
Veterans; and
2. Authorize staff to prepare a similar letter as that of the California Democratic
Congressional Delegation regarding the CARES Business Plan Studies for
the West Los Angeles VA for the Mayor’s signature; and
3. Authorize the Mayor’s co-signature on a similar letter as that of the California
Democratic Congressional Delegation regarding the CARES Business Plan
Studies for the West Los Angeles VA as drafted by the COG; and
4. Direct staff to send copies of the signed Resolution to Senator Barbara Boxer,
Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Waxman, Congresswoman Watson, City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and the
Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced
Services (CARES) Committee.