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Title:
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Consideration of Renewal of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Homeless.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council discuss the issue of renewal of the Ad Hoc
Committee on the Homeless and take appropriate action.
BACKGROUND:
On July 26, 2004 the City Council took a number of specific actions to address
homelessness and its impact on Culver City. One of the actions was the formation
of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Homeless. The purpose of the committee was to
advise the City Council on strategies to address homelessness in and around
Veterans Memorial Park and to review and make comment on the management of
the Cold Weather Shelter located at the National Guard Armory during the months of
November to May each year.
On April 4, 2005 the City Council appointed four (4) residents from the Veterans
Memorial Park neighborhood and representatives from the Culver City Chamber of
Commerce, the Downtown Business Association and the Culver City Homeowners’
Association, as well as City staff (Housing, Police and City Attorney’s Office) to
serve a one (1) year term. Copies of the staff report and minutes from the April 4,
2005 City Council meeting are included as Attachment 1.
DISCUSSION:
The Ad Hoc Committee on the Homeless began meeting on June 21, 2005 and was
staffed and directed by Ms. Tevis Barnes of the Housing Division of the Community
Development Department. Between the September 2005 meeting and the October
Meeting Date: 7/10/06 Item Number: A-1_
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of Renewal of the Ad Hoc Committee on the
Homeless.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Bill La Pointe
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee (6/27/06); Master Notification List (7/5/06)
Department Approval: Bill La Pointe
(7/05/06)
CAO Approval: Jerry B. Fulwood
(07/05/06)
City Controller Approval: Marlee Chang
(07/06/06)
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
2005 meeting, there was a transition of this program from the Community
Development Department-Housing Division to the Parks, Recreation and Community
Services (PRCS) Department. The PRCS Department has continued the work in
this area until now.
Past accomplishments of the Committee include:
• The members have become more aware and informed as to homelessness
issues generally and within Culver City specifically.
• The Committee has become more aware and knowledgeable about the Cold
Weather Shelter and its issues.
• The Committee has worked with City staff on revising certain park regulations
and has made suggestions for offering opportunities for the homeless to gain
access to professional assistance.
Future Goals of the Committee include:
• To create an informational card or refrigerator magnet for neighborhood
residents who may encounter the homeless and what they should do about
issues that arise from these encounters.
• To create a “business pack” to inform business owners about the issues of
homelessness and what they should do when in contact with the homeless.
• To reduce the number of homeless in Culver City.
• To create a “speaker’s bureau” to speak to other community
members/organizations on homelessness issues.
From its meeting of June 27, 2006, the Committee recommends that the City
Council:
• Renew the St. Joseph Center contract for an additional year;
• Eliminate the voting staff positions on the Committee and place in these
positions additional members of the community from four (4) various
geographical areas of the community; and
• Direct the Committee to meet monthly.
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Cost to support this Committee is approximately $4,500 per year for staff support
and $500 for miscellaneous materials. Funds were not appropriated into the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Department budget during fiscal year 2005-06
to cover these costs. Therefore, costs have been absorbed by the Parks,
Recreation and Community Services Department since October 2005. In addition to
these ongoing operational costs, AB 1234 will require each appointed member of
the committee to receive ethics training every two years at a cost of at least $50 per
member per two year period. If the Ad Hoc Committee is comprised of four (4)
members of the Veterans Park neighborhood, one member each from the Culver
City Chamber of Commerce, Culver City Downtown Business Association and
Culver City Homeowners’ Association, and four (4) additional community members
from various geographical areas (as per the recommendation of the Ad Hoc
Committee on the Homeless), there will be eleven (11) voting members for an
approximate cost of $550.00 for bi-annual ethics training.
Funding sources have yet to be identified for the costs associated with the following
future goals of the Committee: (1) creating an informational card or refrigerator
magnet for neighborhood residents; (2) creating an informational “business pack;”
or, (3) creating a “speaker’s bureau.” If Council takes action to renew the Ad Hoc
Committee on the Homeless, staff recommends that Council consider a budget
amendment in the amount of $7,550 to be transferred from the General Fund (Fund
Reserve) to Senior and Social Services ($4,500 to 10134100.411100 - Regular
Salaries and $3,050 to 10134100.516600 - Special Events and Meetings):
AMOUNT DESCRIPTION
$4,500 Staff support
500 Miscellaneous meeting materials
550 Ethics training (as per AB 1234)
2,000 Committee’s Future Goals/Projects
$7,550 TOTAL
A 4/5ths vote is required for a budget amendment.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. April 4, 2005 Council Agenda Item Report and excerpt of City Council Minutes City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
2. Draft minutes of the June 27, 2006 Ad Hoc Homelessness Committee
meeting
3. Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee Members’ Comments on
Accomplishments, Goals, and Future Direction of the Committee
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Discuss the issue of renewal of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Homeless and
take appropriate action.