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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 04-21 CC HA ADJ MINBook 97 / Page 62 04-21-2015 MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION — HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY HOMELESSNESS WORKSHOP April 21, 2015 The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council and Community Development Commission — Housing Authority of the City of National City was called to order at 4:33 p.m. by Mayor / Chairman Ron Morrison. ROLL CALL Council / Board members present: Cano, Mendivil, Morrison, Rios, Sotelo-Solis. Administrative Officials present: Dalla, Deese, Duong, Manganiello, Parra, Raulston, Roberts, Rodriguez, Silva, Stevenson, Tellez, Vergara, Williams, Ybarra. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG BY MAYOR RON MORRISON HOMELESSNESS WORKSHOP 1 Presentation and discussion of issues and impacts associated with Homelessness in National City. Following opening comments by City Manager Leslie Deese, Neighborhood Services Director Armando Vergara made introductory remarks, outlined the format of the Workshop and began a PowerPoint presentation on the challenges of Homelessness. Note: All presentation materials are attached as Exhibit 'A' Individual presentations were made by Dolores Diaz, Executive Director of the Regional Task Force on Homeless, San Diego State University Professor Christine Mahor and student from the Sage Project. City Staff presenters were Frank Parra, Emergency Services Director, Jose Tellez, Police Department, Jennifer Knight, City Attorney's Office, Alfredo Ybarra, Housing and Grants, Steve Manganiello, Public Works, City and Joe Olson, Neighborhood Services Department. Book 97 / Page 63 04-21-2015 HOMELESSNESS WORKSHOP (cont.) Presentation and discussion of issues and impacts associated with Homelessness in National City included: Regional Breakdown of San Diego County Homelessness, Estimate of National City Homeless Population by year, Impacts to Fire, Medical and Police Services, Legal impacts and constraints, Traditional Housing, CDBG and Home Funded Activities, Encampments and Clean -Ups, Current Projects and Culvert Detail and the Sweetwater Riverbed at Plaza Bonita. San Diego State University SAGE Project participants presented their research and findings on homelessness and various strategies for addressing the issue. RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommended: The City continue research into Pilot Programs with Alpha Project; continue working with Housing & Grants Department to research programs and available funding; Establish a Fiscal Year 2016 budget for Homeless Outreach services and to Enhance and continue involvement with mainstream agencies and organizations involved with homelessness. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ed Paniagua, National City, said he deals with problems of homelessness in his job and sees the problems it creates in National City. He believes something needs to be done. Melanie Cole, San Diego, apologized for interfering with City personnel while attempting to help a homeless family member. Eddie Perez, San Diego, said he believes in the "tough love" approach and that the County is not doing their part in dealing with homeless problems. CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION — COMMENTS Councilmember Mendivil thanked staff, San Diego State SAGE Project students and the residents. He said he believes we can address the problems of homelessness but that it needs to be a collaborative approach with San Diego, Chula Vista, the County, Port District and all churches in the City. If we pool resources and knowledge, the problem is doable. Member Mendivil also recommended a visit to the Dream Center facility in Los Angeles. Book 971 Page 63a 04-21-2015 CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION — COMMENTS (cont.) Councilmember Rios thanked staff for all their hard work compiling the information. She believes our homeless numbers have gone down because of the City's ongoing code enforcement efforts; that we need to look at housing as an option and approach the problem as a regional issue. Councilmember Sotelo-Solis expressed appreciation to staff for a fabulous presentation. She said going forward she believes that it is important to have some determination made of what the benchmark for success would be in dealing with homelessness; what goals are we pursuing and how are we doing in reaching those goals. Member Sotelo-Solis is very interested in the updated homeless census from the Regional Task Force on Homeless. Vice Mayor Cano also thanked staff for the presentation. One of the things he would like to see is the flow chart that was presented to include a dear indication of who or what agency is responsible for each item on the chart so we can focus our efforts and money to help the most people. Mayor Morrison said there are so many different kinds of homelessness; it is difficult to know how to best deal with them in a meaningful way with limited resources or to know which government agency is responsible. There is a delicate balance between being human and, at the same time, being sure we are protecting our community. The costs of homelessness are many and varied and there are no easy answers. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned to the next Regular Meeting of the City Council and Community Development Commission — Housing Authority of the City of National City to be held Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers, National City, California. The meeting closed at 6:17 p.m. %_.(‘)/t54 City Cler The foregoing minutes were approved at the Regular Meeting of February 2, 2016. C ►.LIF0RNIq NATIONAL-Clir IN'iimpv CORP °RATED Homeless Workshop April 21, 2015 EXHIBIT 'A' Introduction • City Manager — Leslie Deese • Director Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) - Armando Vergara • Workshop format • Strategic Plan -Homeless Outreach Objective, adopt a comprehensive long term strategy • Limitations of city resources, departments like police, fire, code enforcement and public works & parks • Impacts to Public Health, Safety and Welfare • Availability of existing resources and programs Definition of Homeless • Homeless - An unsheltered homeless person residing in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks sidewalks abandoned buildings (on the street) or a sheltered homeless person residing in an emergency shelter, including temporary emergency shelters only open during severe weather, or a sheltered homeless person residing in transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters. Challenges • Homelessness is a critical issue impacting multiple sectors of our community • Coordination of resources, regionally, statewide and nationally • Addressing the underlying causes of homelessness • Lessening the negative impacts of homelessness on individuals, families and our communities We All Count — Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH) • Executive Director — Dolores Diaz • The 2014 San Diego Regional Homeless Point -In -Time Count (PITC) took place on January 23, 2014 • Annual count of homeless population in the San Diego County region • 1,500 Volunteers and community leaders involved • Count enables the region to qualify for funding • 2014 count estimated about 8,500 homeless • PITC 2014 report concluded 17% veterans, 26% suffer from severe mental illness, while 19% are considered chronic substance abusers • The 2015 San Diego Regional Homeless Point -In -Time Count (PITC) took place on January 23, 2015 • Results and data to be available by end of April 2015 2014 Regional PITC Summary Estimates of Homelessness 2013 Total Homeless 8,879 8,506 -4% Unsheltered 4,574 3,985 -13% Sheltered 4,305 4,521 5% Regional Breakdown of Homelessness in San Diego County 2014 San Diego County Regions City of San Diego North County Inland South County East County Sheltered Homeless Persons 2731 761 187 416 North County 426 Coastal San Diego County 4521 Unsheltered Homeless Persons 2468 263 666 378 210 3985 5199 1024 853 794 636 8506 61.1% 12.0% 10.0% 9.3% 7.5% 100% Unsheltered Sheltered Total Homeless Estimates of Homelessness Regional Trends — San Diego County % Change 2013-14 -13% 5% -4% % Change 2011-14 Unsheltered Sheltered Total Homeless Total % with Cities & Unincorporated Estimates of Homelessness City of National City 2012 2013 143 128 266 18 29 18 161 157 284 1.6% 1.8% 3.4% Results Pending Results Pending Results Pending City of National City • Introduction of City Departments involved • History of City Homeless Committee • Municipal Code • Encampment Policy • Partnerships National Coalition Homeless Bringing America Home February 2014 Homeless Encampment Fire .M • w A 1 N aO.s CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER CHILDREN'S POOL PROPOSAL OURCE WOULD PROHIBIT USE OF THE AREA DECEMBER 15 TO MAY 15 Fire & Medical Services • 2013 — Fire / Medical responded and assisted with 68 incidents involving identified homeless persons. • Substance abuse, sick person, psychiatric problem, trauma, overdose, cardiac - chest pains, alcohol withdrawals, extremity pain, respiratory distress, abdominal pain, dizzy, diabetic problem, altered mental status, heat illness, seizure, medical evaluations for the Police Department • Age range 19 — 80 years of age • 85% Male gender patient • 2014 — Fire / Medical responded and assisted with 76 incidents involving identified homeless persons (same types of calls as 2013). • Age range 27 — 73 years of age • 22% Female gender patients Fire & Medical Services • 2014 — Fire responded to 11 vegetation / structure fires as a result of homeless encampments or activities. • 2013 — Fire responded to 10 vegetation / structure fires as a result of homeless encampments or activities. Fire Impacts and Hazards • Chemicals, propane, vehicle batteries, hazardous waste • Human waste, drug paraphernalia Plaza Bonita Homeless Encampment Clean Up September 2014 HARBOR DRIVE OFF -RAMP SHUT DOWN AT 1-5 N FOLLOWING MOTORCYCLE CRASH Police services Operation Jungle Book • On September 22, 2014, the National City Police Department, in conjunction with multiple other law enforcement agencies, conducted an operation in the river bed west of the Plaza Bonita Mall. The area is part of the Sweetwater River Channel and is commonly referred to as "The Jungle." The purpose of this operation to address the issues of trespassing. Operation Jungle Book • This area was selected in order to reduce the criminal activity that spills into the neighboring residential areas and the Plaza Bonita Mall. Prior criminal investigations, including homicide, arson, assaults, theft, drug sales, drug usage, have been a drain on law enforcement and fire protection services. Operation Jungle Book • In addition to combating the criminal element plaguing this area, the National City Police Department and the City of National City offered services and resources to individuals who have continued to trespass in the river bed. The operation netted: - 75 Field Interviews - 13 arrests. Officers -ID habitual offenders Hazmat areas were quarantined, and Animal Control was on hand to aid with any wildlife issues. SDNSSI \ ;,at Ai WILL BE. CASE STUDY OF HABITUAL TRANSIENT ISSUE • In the examination of 130 Calls for Service regarding ANONYMOUS at one commercial location between the dates of February 2013 — Dec 2014, NCPD officers have spent approximately 18.5 total hours dealing with ANONYMOUS . The calculation only included the officers' were physically at the location. • Dispatchers' time spent on the calls was not calculated. • The final dispositions of the calls breakdown as follows: CFS BY MONTH (N=130) WALGREENS REGARDING VIRGINIA JOHNSON 14 12 m m m m m m m m m m m C C' C C' Tr C' 'C 'C Tr C V .--1 .--! v-1 —1 1-41.1 1-1 --1 ei .--I 1-1 .-4 .--1 .-1 e-I v-1 e--I c-I .-1 - .--1 .-1 .-1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 N N N N IV N N N N N N N N !V N !V N N N N N N N .4 � � � - - 0 ( � N m c,' LP l:� h 00 On O N .-1 N m C' U1 L^ n 00 a. 0 .-i N ri -d 1-1 e-I ri r-I ADVISED 20 ASSISTED 1 CHECKED OK 4 FIELD INTERVIEW NO CRIME 1 PENDING RECALL 1 SENT ON WAY 60 Four calls resin ed In case reports: 1301187 1304993 1306414 1404838 1800-2600 E PLAZA BLVD :: aka "The Tunnels" CRIME CASES ARRESTS DATA COLLECTED FROM 01APRIL2014 - 01APRIL2015 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 2 LARCENY 10 FRAUD 1 SIMPLE ASSAULT 7 DATA COLLECTED FROM 01APRIL2014 - 01APRIL2015 5150 - MENTALLY ILL 6 ASSAULT 1 FELONY WARRANT 5 *36 FIELD INTERVIEWS TAKEN IN THIS AREA SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO TRANSIENT ISSUES. * 30TH & HIGHLAND CRIME CASES COMMERCIAL. BURGLARY 8 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT 4 SIMPLE ASSAULT 7 FAMILY OFFENSE 2 *16 cases occurred at High School DATA COLLECTED FROM 01APRIL2014 — 01APRIL2015 ARRESTS BATTERY (DV) allsal-ehes-sx-amao.: eaisa=ww_Iamaenaea 5150: MENTALLY ILL 3 WARRANT *27 of 39 arrests related to Vehicle or DUI charges PLAZA BONITA MALL AREA :: The Riverbed CRIME CASES BURGLARY 14 ASSAULT 8 4, "- .1P +Svm - ROBBERY ROBBERY 8 FRAUD 4 *85 FIELD INTERVIEWS TAKEN IN THIS AREA SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO TRANSIENT ISSUES. * ARRESTS PETTY THEFT NARCOTICS 133 16 LARCENY DRUNK IN PUBLIC 1 WARRANTS POLICE - CALLS FOR SERVICE APRIL 2014- APRIL 2015 • MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAYS - HIGH VOLUME • TRESPASSING CALLS FOR SERVICE: 331 • PANHANDLING CALLS FOR SERVICE: 63 • LOITERING CALLS FOR SERVICE: 66 • FIELD INTERVIEWS: 262* *SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS TRANSIENT OR HOMELESS IN NARRATIVE* Legal • Monitoring Case Law Decisions • Constitutional Enforcement of Laws • E.g. Clean-up Projects • Monitoring Legislative Developments • AB 5 • S B 608 • AB 35 & 1335 Transitional Housing Casa Nueva Vida — 31 4th Avenue, Chula Vista, CA • Opened in 1993 • 13 unit short term and transitional housing available for residents of National City and Chula Vista —1-2 bedroom shared units. • Provides daycare with average stay of families of 90 days • Average of 2.5 families from National City use transitional housing • Term agreement is for 30 years starting in 1993 Transitional Housing — Confidential Location • Opened in 2001 • 8 unit apartment complex (4/2 bdrm, 2/lbdrm, 1/3 bdrm) • Assist homeless women with children who are domestic violence victims. • Recommended maximum twenty-four month stay. • Term agreement is for 30 years starting in 2001 CDBG & HOME Funded Activities RIM Funding 1999 $ 25,000 2000 2000 2006 2008 2009 2010 $ 15,000 $321,914 $ 10,000 $ 2,881 $10,000 $ 41,203 Activity Transitional Housing Project Community Food Bank Transitional Housing Project Community Food Bank Community Food Bank Community Food Bank Homeless Outreach Program and Enforcement 2011 $ 95,000 Homeless Outreach Program and Enforcement 2012 $ 32,607 Homeless Assistance Program 2015 $162,633 Tenant Based Rental Assistance 2016 $200,000 Tenant Based Rental Assistance Total $916,238 Agency South Bay Community Services (SBCS) Community Food Bank of National City South Bay Community Services Highland Avenue Baptist Church Community Food Bank of National City Community Food Bank of National City City of National City, Neighborhood Services City of National City, Police and SBCS City of National City, Neighborhood Services South Bay Community Services South Bay Community Services Encampments & Clean -Ups • Public Works & Parks 2013 • 47 encampment clean-ups completed • 325 yards of trash collected • 308 hours of PW & Parks staff 2014 • 66 encampment clean-ups completed • 520 yards of trash collected • 430 hours of PW & Parks staff • Estimated cost impacts on PW / Park and Code Enforcement staff hours for addressing homeless encampments: $ 25,000 FY13-14 City Map Overview of Homeless Encampments in 2014 NATIONAL CITY Current Projects • Culvert / Storm Grate Barrier Installation Project • 2014 City Manager directed staff to research / implement • Contract Approved January 22, 2015 • Onsite Work to begin April 20, 2015 • Projected Completion date for all seven locations June, 2015 • Benefits • Public Health and Safety • Storm Water compliance • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • State and Federal Clean Water Acts • Safety and welfare of emergency and City staff • Minimize calls for service and department impacts New Culvert / Storm Grate Drawing • nnr0 1D7B w/N1111 MT -HE SOB .xr O.C. 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"1" Ev. hESCUOPTD061 DAVE L. zse EDPCRALL'Q'NAL s o Bs 35CEb FOG nab LIPP lffld ILATLbLiL ern, G aawnemm- - a NAT[C./1671.tZTY '91i CAwMM Rh 1/5 CHIT) Qyi ALO cilaN Li. 56=27N A6 E 6l(.e61XF13.46aeE Cri1LE 11Ci E2 Culvert Encampment Clean-ups • • • • .. • „. • w 0) +.• CU CD salsa 0 co co NI CU tkke STRONG FART ..AKE JOLLTS ALASKA 6.2 QUAKE HITS 80 MILES NORTHWEST OF ANCHORAGE r s National City — Encampments on Streets, Public & Private Property se la Chamberoel t+v Dior I ter ••Me© . UoalM.eslern commvntty Coflcge''' �.'^'•d � ^y Nigher Etlucanon Center s ..w" �j Kimba1F �Qfk • Beat Lo•mcn City Of Chula Vista ElToyon: Park S Lincoln Acres PLACES TO VISIT IN NATIONAL CITY Exp.Mno. Motional CBys cWNia dyers. ant MsbMc hndmarta. As San Vega countyt second -eldest cny. we oils a widh od4Iy al bwbt attractions .00 recnaNarol acthtlea. © Bayshore Bikeway © Brick Row/Kimboll House Museum .[] Klmbal Park Veterans Memorial National City Rail Depot Q National City Gott Course Q Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center © Pier 32 Marina fl Pepper Pork i Fishing Pier p The Slain Fondly Farm Q Westfield Plaza Bonita Mali Shopping Cart & Recycling Impacts • September 2014-April 2015 • 133 Shopping cart cases • Municipal Code Chapter 7.34 • Requires cart containment system • Cart removal warnings • Cart removal prevention employee training Wp4LSC IOueda3uaesg pip ssrh usg6u3 .� ===IM=~-`.���`�~_~~~~~~�~ � ' ^` k' SDSU THE sage PROJECT Professor Dr. Kristen Hill Maher Associate Professor of Political Science Introduction to Public Policy Analysis Political Science 603 San Diego State University • Class Project & Student Research SDSU THE sage PROJECT • Student Presentations • Lori Jones • Aline Scherrer • Final Class Overview • Dr. Kristen Hill Maher Closing & Staff Recommendations • Continue Research into Pilot Program with Alpha Project • Program would provide the following services • Homeless Outreach • Mental health and vulnerability assessments • Hygiene items, blankets and other engagement incentives • Transportation provided to access services • Referrals and housing (when available) • Access to all Alpha Project Programs • Detailed reporting — location, demographics, mental health assessment results, placement rates, referrals and resources given • Encampment clean-up services • Service contracts vary depending on scope of work, estimated cost for a 6 month period would be approximately $50,000 Continued -Closing & Staff Recommendations • Continue working with Housing & Grants Department to research programs and any available funding • Establish a Fiscal Year 2016 budget for Homeless Outreach services • Enhance and continue involvement with mainstream agency's and organizations involved with homelessness like- (RTFH) Regional Task Force on the Homeless In C CU E E O U U Council Questions & Direction