Business Item 5a
STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Item
DATE: May 1, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Bob Natt, General Services Superintendent
THROUGH: Merritt Perry, City Manager
SUBJECT: Cleanup and Outreach Services Contract with New Directions STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is recommending the Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with People of New Directions (New Directions) not to exceed $5,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Fortuna contracted with River Life Foundation to conduct outreach and cleanup services for the past four years. The primary focus of the contract was to clean up illegal camps, and to provide information and assistance to people in need to find housing or recovery from substance abuse. Over the past year, there were billing issues with River Life Foundation, and no work was completed between November and March of this year. On March 13, 2023, Sean Swanson, the founder and manager of the work with the City passed away.
Currently there are few if any organizations that perform this type of work. The only other organization that staff were able to identify, People of New Directions, owned and operated by John Shelter. He currently works with non-profit and local jurisdictions between McKinleyville and Garberville. We received favorable references from some of the agencies with which they work.
On April 4th, the Chief of Police, General Services Superintendent and City Manager, met with John Shelter to discuss the services they provide, and to get a sense if the organization would be good at serving the needs of the City. Mr. Shelter shared his approach, which includes employing unhoused people to provide them a means to improve their situation, and also his approach to directing people to services. Mr. Shelter is very passionate about his mission to clean up the environment and help people that need assistance. Staff had a positive impression of the organization following the meeting, and felt that working with New Directions would meet the city’s needs. One difference from the past contract with River Life, is that the City would take on more responsibility to scout and identify areas needed for cleanup or outreach, and New Directions would respond specifically to those site. River Life was more self-directed and typically identified site independently.
Business Item 5a
The fiscal year 2022-2023 budget included an initial allocation of $10,000 and a subsequent budget adjustment of $5,000 to bring the total funding amount for cleanup and outreach services to $15,000. Approximately $8,500 has been spent to date, leaving approximately $6,500 this fiscal year. Staff expects to need up to $5,000 between now and the end of the fiscal year, to conduct necessary cleanup activities.
Staff is recommending that the council approve a contract with New Directions to provide cleanup and outreach services between now and the end of the fiscal year with a not-to-exceed amount of $5,000. A draft contract is attached to this staff report.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of a contract with New Dimensions for $5,000 is within the approved budget for this fiscal year, and will not require additions funding.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1. Receive staff report and answer Council questions
2. Open public comment
3. Close public comment
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with New Directions not to exceed $5,000. Voice vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Contract with New Directions Foundation