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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 - Formation of a Homeless Task ForceQ SEW Pp�T CITY OF �m z NEWPORT BEACH c�<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report March 26, 2019 Agenda Item No. 4 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Grace K. Leung, City Manager - 949-644-3001, gleung@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Carol Jacobs, Assistant City Manager, cjacobs@newportbeachca.gov PHONE: 949-644-3313 TITLE: Resolution No. 2019-25: Formation of a Homeless Task Force ABSTRACT: At the City Council meeting of March 12, 2019, the City Council directed staff to return with the formation of a City Council/Citizen Task Force to address the needs of the homeless population. RECOMMENDATION a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; b) Adopt Resolution No. 2019-25, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Establishing a City Council/Citizen's Committee Known as the Newport Beach Homeless Task Force; c) Confirm the Mayor's appointment of Mayor Pro Tem Will O'Neill and Council Member Brad Avery to serve as the City Council's representatives to the Task Force; and d) Direct the City Clerk to advertise for the citizen members of the Committee. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact related to the formation of the Homeless Task Force. DISCUSSION: Over the past several years, the City has experienced an increase in the number of homeless individuals in the community. As a response to this increase the City has taken a number of proactive steps to address the issue. These steps include reallocating a patrol officer as a homeless liaison officer working directly with the homeless, providing short-term lodging and travel, working with the County of Orange Health Care Agency to provide mental health services, providing funding to service providers whose mission is to work with the homeless, and working with a non-profit group to move the homeless into temporary and permanent housing. 4-1 Resolution No. 2019-25: Formation of a Homeless Task Force March 26, 2019 Page 2 While there has been some success with these efforts, a more comprehensive approach is desired by the City Council. There is a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the community and working with residents to address this complex issue will provide the City Council with a greater perspective and action plan to respond to the homeless. The Task Force is proposed to be comprised of two councilmembers and seven community members. The Mayor is recommending the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem Will O'Neill and Council Member Brad Avery for the two councilmember representatives. Selection of the seven community members will follow Council Policy A-2: Boards, Commissions and Committees. The Task Force's goal will be to develop a plan to reduce or eliminate homelessness in Newport Beach that includes the following components: a) Develop strategies/plan to integrate all services needed to address homelessness. b) Develop list of community partners willing to assist with addressing the issue. c) Review and consider temporary housing solutions. d) Develop appropriate metrics system to monitor reduction of homeless. The Committee will sunset when this work is completed or December 31, 2020. The City Council could choose to extend the Task Force after that time. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENT: Attachment A — Resolution No. 2019-25 4-2 ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. 2019-25 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA ESTABLISHING A CITY COUNCIL/CITIZENS' COMMITTEE KNOWN AS THE NEWPORT BEACH HOMELESS TASK FORCE WHEREAS, homelessness is a growing problem in the City of Newport Beach ("City") that requires further evaluation by the City; WHEREAS, the City is fortunate to have highly skilled, educated and experienced residents that are willing to donate their time to positively contribute towards the betterment of the City; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to create a committee comprised of councilmembers and community stakeholders to study the impacts of homelessness on the City and develop solutions as more particularly described below to end homelessness. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as follows: Section 1: The City Council does hereby establish the Newport Beach Homeless Task Force ("Task Force"). Attachment "A" shall govern the membership, term, meetings, purpose and responsibilities of the Task Force, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Section 2: Policy A-2 entitled "Boards, Commissions and Committees" shall govern all other aspects of the Task Force not identified in Attachment "A". Section 3: The recitals provided in this resolution are true and correct and are incorporated into the operative part of this resolution. Section 4: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this resolution. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional. Section 5: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. 4-3 Resolution 2019 - Page 2 of 2 Section 6. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution. ADOPTED this 26th day of March 2019. Diane B. Dixon Mayor ATTEST: Leilani {. Brown City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE qv't--� Aaro4rney . Harp City Attachment A - Newport Beach Homeless Task Force Description ATTACHMENT A Newport Beach Homeless Task Force AUTHORIZATION: Established by Resolution No. 2019-_ adopted on March 26, 2019. MEMBERSHIP: The Task Force shall be comprised of two (2) councilmembers and seven (7) residents appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Council Policy A-2 is waived as it pertains to the term of Council and Committee members appointed to the Task Force. As provided herein, the term of the appointed members of the Task Force shall be indefinite pending City Council action or expiration of the Task Force's term listed above. QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS: In addition to the criteria set forth in Council Policy A-2, the Task Force shall be comprised of two (2) councilmembers and seven (7) residents appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The Task Force shall include residents with an interest in working to create a vision and plan to respond to the issues of homelessness in Newport Beach, have expertise in housing, mental health services, social services, public safety, health services, or education. TERM: The Task Force shall expire upon completion of the Purpose & Responsibilities listed below, but not later than December 31, 2020. MEETINGS: The Task Force is an ad hoc committee. Meetings shall be held as required by the business needs of the Task Force in such locations, dates and times in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. PURPOSE & RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Develop strategies/plan to integrate all services needed to address homelessness. B. Develop a list of community partners willing to assist in addressing homelessness. C. Review and consider temporary housing solutions. D. Develop appropriate metrics system to monitor reduction of homeless. 4-5