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CC - CONSENT ITEM: First Review and Approval of the Need for Continuing the Local Emergency Declared on January 3, 2023 by the City Manager, as Director of Emergency Services, under City of Culver City Emergency Authority, Due to the Homelessness Crisis.
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Meeting Date: March 13, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: Jesse Mays/City Manager’s Office
Tevis Barnes/Housing and Human Services Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
(310) 253-5780
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [x] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/09/2023)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar, City Manager (03/09/2023)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council conduct the first review and approve the need for continuing the local emergency declared on January 3, 2023 by the City Manager, as Director of Emergency Services, under City of Culver City Emergency Authority, due to the homelessness crisis (“Local Emergency”), in accordance with Government Code Section 8630.
BACKGROUND
The Local Emergency due to homelessness has been in effect since January 3, 2023. The Local Emergency was proclaimed pursuant to the authority granted by Culver City Municipal Code (“CCMC”) Section 3.09.020.B.1.a, to the City Manager, as the Director of Emergency Services. (Attachment 1).
The Local Emergency was ratified by City Council on January 9, 2023, as required by California Government Code Section 8630(b) [“Whenever a local emergency is proclaimed by an official designated by ordinance, the Local Emergency shall not remain in effect for a period in excess of seven days unless it has been ratified by the governing body.”]. Under Government Code Section 8630(c), “[t]he local governing body shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days, until the governing body terminates the local emergency.” Further, under Government Code Section 8630(d), “[t]he governing body shall proclaim the termination of the local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant.”
DISCUSSION
The Proclamation of Local Emergency on Homelessness lists several key performance indicators of progress so that City Council may continue to evaluate the need for the local emergency. These are presented below, along with a status update.
• Regulatory relief from other jurisdictions and within Los Angeles County agencies to create flexibility to address the crisis;
o Status: There have been no incidents of regulatory relief from other jurisdictions within Los Angeles County agencies noted in the last 60 days.
• Enactment of an Emergency Procurement Protocol to enable expedited retention of vendors/contractors and acquisition of supplies and services for the provision of services and shelter to protect the unhoused community from life threatening harm;
o Status: The City has used emergency procurement protocol to secure vendors/contractors and supplies for the safe sleep program.
• Coordination with the City of Los Angeles and LAHSA to address homeless encampments at the City’s shared borders by providing shelter and supportive services;
o Status: The City remains in communication with City of Los Angeles and LAHSA regarding encampments at the City’s shared borders.
• Coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Los Angeles to keep the Ballona Creek clear of any situation that may cause harm to the environment or human life;
o Status: The City continues ongoing coordination with USACE and County of Los Angeles regarding unhoused individuals living in Ballona Creek.
• Decrease in the number and size of homeless encampments that create a risk of fire hazard, block the public right-away or are within 500 feet of sensitive receptors;
o Status: Collection of this data point has not started.
• Continuation of an annual census of people experiencing homelessness in the community through the use of an Internal Homeless Count involving City staff, the Culver City St. Joseph Center (SJC) Outreach Team and members of ACOHH, along with the LAHSA Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, to determine size and characteristics of the unhoused population;
o Status: The 2023 LAHSA Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count took place on January 25, 2023. LAHSA has not yet permitted the release of the data collected during the 2023 Count.
• Creation and maintenance of 73 units of Interim and Permanent Supportive Housing through the Culver City Project Homekey;
o Status: The project to renovate two motels to create the 73 units of interim and Permanent Supportive Housing remains underway and is expected to begin operations in July 2023.
• Implementation of a Safe Camping program to provide access to sanitation facilities and supportive services, including medical care, laundry service and security, to the unhoused community residing in encampments;
o Status: Buildout of the safe sleep site has begun and is expected to be completed by April 2023. A potential operator has been identified and an agreement for their services is anticipated to be brought to the March 27, 2023 City Council meeting. If approved by City Council, operations at the site could begin as soon as May 2023.
• Establishment of long-term leasing arrangements with local motel owners to provide temporary housing;
o Status: Negotiations with several local motels for long-term lease agreements are in progress.
• Activation of the Culver City Mobile Crisis Intervention Team to address the mental wellbeing of both housed and unhoused residents;
o Status: Hiring is in progress for the Human Services Manager, who will lead the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT). The MCIT is expected to be staffed, trained, and begin operations in FY23/24.
• Continuation of support to the Culver City SJC Outreach Team, which provides street-based outreach, assessment, and linkage of the unhoused community to services, shelter and housing;
o Status: The City continues to support the Culver City SJC Outreach Team.
• Continuation of support to Upward Bound House, which provides interim housing to homeless children and their families;
o Status: The City continues to support Upward Bound House.
• Continuation of support of renter’s rights and tenant protections through the City’s Rent Control and Tenant Protection Ordinances;
o Status: The City continues to implement the City’s Rent Control and Tenant Protection Ordinances.
• Continuation of public communication and messaging to educate and engage the public about homelessness and the City’s efforts to address homelessness, and engage the unhoused population in the dialogue about the City’s efforts to address homelessness;
o Status: On March 7, 2023, the City Council approved an agreement with We Are Rally to continue development and implementation of the City’s public communications and messaging education and engagement program regarding homelessness and the Homekey interim and permanent supportive housing projects. This includes creating pathways for unhoused neighbors to tell their story and incorporating unhoused residents in messaging and communications.
• Evaluation of traffic safety related impacts on unhoused individuals and implementation of mitigation measures to prevent pedestrian related deaths among persons experiencing homelessness; and
o Status: Work has not yet begun on evaluation or implementation of mitigation measures.
• Securing of funding resources from HCD, LAHSA, and the County of Los Angeles to increase service levels, interim shelter beds and permanent supportive housing
o Status: Additional funding resources from HCD, LAHSA, and the County of Los Angeles to increase service levels, interim shelter beds, and permanent supportive housing have not yet been requested or secured.
On February 13, 2023, the City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting camping in public places throughout the City. The City Council directed staff at its January 23, 2023 meeting to defer enforcement of the Ordinance until the City has completed the following three tasks: (1) open for occupancy 73 new units of interim and permanent supportive housing, known as Project Homekey, located at 3868 and 3900 Sepulveda Boulevard ; (2) open for occupancy a safe-camping site with supportive services for up to 40 people on a City-owned parking lot on Virginia Avenue; and (3) enter into agreements with local motels for additional rooms for temporary housing.
Summary
In consideration of the status of the key performance indicators listed above, City staff recommends that the City Council continue the Local Emergency due to the continued homelessness crisis and ongoing work to provide additional temporary, interim, and permanent supportive housing.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no cost associated with discussing the continued need for the Local Emergency.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2023-03-13_ATT1_January 3, 2023 Proclamation of Local Emergency
MOTION
That the City Council:
Pursuant to Government Code Section 8630, conduct a review and confirm the need for continuing the Local Emergency declared on January 3, 2023 by the City. Manager, as Director of Emergency Services, under City of Culver City Emergency Authority, due to the homelessness crisis.