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CC - (FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE REQUIREMENT) Approval of a Budget Amendment in the Amount of $97,847 to Allocate Funding for a New Position, Assistant to the City Manager on Homelessness.
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Meeting Date: December 9, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Serena Wright-Black/Administrative Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (12/03/19)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar, City Manager (12/03/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve a budget amendment in the amount of $97,847 to allocate funding for a new position, Assistant to the City Manager on Homelessness (a budget amendment requires a four-fifths vote).
BACKGROUND
Over the last several years, Culver City has seen a dramatic increase in homelessness.
The 2017 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count (Homeless Count) found that 218 people were experiencing homelessness in Culver City; this reflected an increase of 85% from 2016. In addition, the 2019 Homeless Count data showed a total of 236 people were found homeless in Culver City.
City Council has discussed this growing problem and, on October 22, 2018, adopted its 2018-2023 strategic plan identifying “Improving Homeless Services” as a priority.
DISCUSSION
On July 9, 2018, City Council adopted the Plan to Prevent and Combat Homelessness (Plan). This Plan identified several goals and priorities. Those goals include:
Goal #1: Increase bridge housing options and the number of people served;
Goal #2: Expand homelessness prevention programming;
Goal #3: Increase access to affordable and supportive housing across the City;
Goal #4: Enhance data tracking and homeless outreach activities among City staff
and service providers;
Goal #5: Expand community education efforts around homelessness, and raise
awareness about available resources and best practices;
Goal #6: Create local programs to increase workforce training and job
opportunities;
Goal #7: Enhance local and regional coordination.
Each of these goals require the participation and cooperation of multiple City departments and employees. While the Culver City Housing Division (Housing) has been able to manage the day to day activities and programs associated with homelessness such as the Section 8 Choice Voucher and Rental Assistance programs, as well as conducting various affordable housing studies, the City needs to have a central position to lead and oversee the coordination of efforts across all City departments.
Staff is recommending that City Council allocate funding for a new position, Assistant to the City Manager on Homelessness. This position would be the primary contact for media and communications related to homelessness, and interact with community-based organizations, regional partners and residential and business community stakeholders to address the impacts of homelessness. This position would also conduct public policy research on issues related to homelessness and identify grant funds to assist with preventing and combatting homelessness in Culver City. In addition, it is expected that this position would coordinate and lead the efforts of all City departments regarding outreach, shelter, substance abuse treatment, health care, mental health services, housing opportunities and provide education to the community about homelessness
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The proposed annual salary range for this position is approximately $116,425 - $142,109. The budget amendment required to be appropriated from the General Fund Reserves for FY 2019/2020 is $97,847. This reflects six months of salary and benefits. The annual ongoing cost is $195,695.
ATTACHMENTS
None
MOTION
That the City Council:
Approve a budget amendment in the amount of $97,847 to allocate funding for a new position, Assistant to the City Manager on Homelessness (a budget amendment requires a four-fifths vote).