HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 Res 2021-25 - Homelessness TaskforceSTAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
MEETING DATE: May 27, 2021
PREPARED BY: Christopher Gerry, Senior Management Analyst
REQUEST: Adopt Resolution No. 2021-25 to establish the Homelessness Taskforce.
Recommendation
By minute motion, adopt Resolution No. 2021-25 to establish the Homelessness Taskforce.
Background
The City of Palm Desert and partnering organizations provide various housing-related and social
services for homeless individuals and address community requests and concerns regarding the
impacts of homelessness. Below describes frequent City’s partnerships; existing communication;
and the recommended establishment of the Homelessness Taskforce.
Partnerships
The frequent types of local homelessness-related services coordinated by the City and partnering
organizations include:
Homelessness Assistance Program
The City contracts with the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) to provide a
Homelessness Assistance Program. The program includes the assignment of two RUHS
behavioral health specialists to conduct continual street outreach to homeless individuals and
provide comprehensive supportive services accordingly. The ultimate goal is to establish housing
stability, including permanent supportive housing.
CV Housing First
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) has been tasked with operating a
regional homelessness program known as CV Housing First. The program focuses on providing
immediate housing through crisis stabilization units (temporary housing units) and supportive
services. The program is funded through annual contributions by local jurisdictions throughout the
Coachella Valley and matched by the Desert Healthcare District.
Public Safety Services
The Palm Desert Police Department has a dual role in addressing homelessness – they serve
both homeless individuals and residents together with those businesses impacted by
homelessness. To this end, they provide health and welfare assistance; transportation to facilities;
connections to social services resources; property security recommendations through the Crime
Prevention Through Environmental Design Program; and collaborate with businesses on the
mitigation of trespass issues.
May 27, 2021
Homelessness Taskforce
Page 2 of 3
Code Compliance Services
The Development Services Department plays various roles in serving residents and businesses
impacted by homelessness. The types of services include, but are not limited to, providing
abatement in the public right-of-way and addressing encampments on public property.
Shopping Cart Retrieval
The Public Works Department removes abandoned shopping carts on a weekly basis as well.
The City also recently dedicated a full-day to remove shopping carts, which resulted in the removal
of 93 carts and returned to the appropriate businesses.
Existing Communication
City and partnering organizations above meet on a monthly basis to discuss current trends,
specific clients, resources available and many other items. Depending on the service request,
these internal and external partners also communicate at the staff level on a case-by-case basis.
Establishment of a Homelessness Taskforce
As displayed above, the City Council has been committed to supporting a diversity of services to
mitigate homelessness locally in Palm Desert and regionally across the Coachella Valley. To
increase the level of coordination and communication, the Council Subcommittee on advisory
boards recommends establishing a Homelessness Taskforce. If approved, City staff will return
with bylaws for Council consideration in the future.
Roles and Responsibilities
The recommended roles and responsibilities may include:
• Discuss current environment (locally and regionally);
• Review monthly statistics of the City’s Homelessness Outreach Program;
• Review quarterly statistics of CVAG’s CV Housing First Program;
• Review other relevant City statistics (e.g., encampments, shopping cart retrieval);
• Discuss service delivery challenges and opportunities;
• Provide City, nonprofit organization and homeless service provider presentations; and
• Other homeless-related matters referred by City Council.
Membership Composition
The membership composition may have seven members, including:
• Two Councilmembers, including the CVAG Homelessness Committee representative;
• Two business representatives;
• Two residents; and
• Chairperson of the Housing Commission.
May 27, 2021
Homelessness Taskforce
Page 3 of 3
Meeting Frequency
The meeting frequency may be bi-monthly (i.e ., every other month).
Staffing
The City staff and partnering organizations that may frequently participate in meetings include:
• City Manager's Office
• Police Department
• Development Services Department
• CVAG
• RUHS
Fiscal Analysis
There is no impact to the General Fund .
LEGAL REVIEW DEPT. REVIEW FINANCIAL REVIEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
'RH. N/A N/A .JJ..nay :Fires tine
Robert W . Hargreaves L. Todd Hileman Jan et Moore Andy Firestine
City Attorney City Manager Director of Fina nce Assistant City Manager
City Manager: L. Todd Hileman : L. To~~ HHeV\.A.CIV\.,
ATTACHMENT
A. Resolution No. 2021-25 CITY COUNCILACTION
APPROVED_✓ _____ DENml) _____ _
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ABSENT: .L_~l'-'-~-------------------
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0riginal on File with City Clerk's Office
-1-
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA,
ESTABLISHING A HOMELESSNESS TASKFORCE
WHEREAS, the City Council has been committed to supporting a diversity of
services to mitigate homelessness locally in Palm Desert and regionally across the Coachella
Valley;
WHEREAS, the City and partnering organizations provide various housing-related
and social services for homeless individuals, and address community requests and concerns
regarding the impacts of homelessness;
WHEREAS, the City and partnering organizations meet on a monthly basis to
discuss current trends, specific clients, resources available and many other items; and
WHEREAS, to increase the level of coordination and communication, the City
Council recommends establishing a Homelessness Taskforce.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, as follows:
Section 1. That a Homelessness Taskforce be established in accordance with the
bylaws to be approved by City Council in the future.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 27th day of May 2021, by the City Council of
the City of Palm Desert, California by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
________________________________
KATHLEEN KELLY, MAYOR
ATTEST:
M. GLORIA SANCHEZ, ACTING CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA