Consent Item 3l
STAFF REPORT
City Council Consent Item
DATE: December 18, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Bob Natt, General Services Superintendent
THROUGH: Merritt Perry, City Manager
SUBJECT: Authorize City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Contract with People of New Directions for Cleanup and Outreach Services
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
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 recover from substance abuse. On March 13, 2023, Sean Swanson, the founder and manager of the work with the City passed away and work with River Life Foundation was discontinued.
Currently, there are few if any organizations that perform this type of work. The only other organization that staff were able to identify, was 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, 2023, 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 of whether 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 with 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 who 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 sites. River Life was more self-directed and typically identified sites independently.
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 Consent Item 3l
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:
Motion to Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with New Directions not to exceed $5,000. Consent Agenda Vote
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Contract with New Directions Foundation