Susana Alcala Wood, City Attorney Jorge Oseguera, City Auditor Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk Howard Chan, City Manager John Colville, City Treasurer Law and Legislation Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-00888 April 19, 2022 Discussion Item 05
Title: Resolution to Implement City’s Definition of Public Safety Services
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: 1) Review a Resolution to implement Resolution 2020-0351 (Defining the City of Sacramento’s Public Safety Services to Include Emergency Response and Operations as Well as Youth-Centered Prevention Services); and 2) pass a Motion forwarding the Resolution to City Council for consideration.
Contact: Consuelo Hernandez, Director of Governmental Affairs, (916) 808-7395, [email protected]
, Office of the City Manager, Allison Joe, Chief of Staff, (916) 808-7005, [email protected], Office of Councilmember Jay Schenirer, District 5
Presenter: Councilmember Jay Schenirer, (916) 808-7005, [email protected] ,
Claudia Jasin, Project Specialist, (916) 808-7005, [email protected], Office of Councilmember Jay Schenirer, District 5
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: This resolution provides a mechanism to implement previously adopted resolutions regarding youth-centered prevention services and public safety.
On October 27, 2020, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2020-0351 which defined public safety services as police, fire, emergency medical services, citywide emergency management, and was expanded to include youth-centered prevention services. In doing so, the City Council recognized the importance of preventing violent incidents through investment in the City’s young people under the age of 25.
Not only does research show that such programs can directly prevent youth-related violence, but also that providing prevention activities that uplift children (such as, but not limited to, stable and affordable housing, early childhood supports, quality education, the arts, healthy and accessible food, economic security, and community spaces) will lead to safer and healthier communities overall.
In light of the recent violent incident on April 3, 2022, which resulted in the death of six individuals, the need to revisit Resolution No. 2020-0351 as well as its implementation has intensified. Ensuring adequate funding for all the City’s public safety’s services as defined in Resolution No. 2020-0351 would be a significant step forward.
The proposed resolution provides a mechanism for the City to increase its investment of unrestricted general funds in youth-centered prevention services by the same percentage as any increase in investment of unrestricted general funds in police, fire, emergency medical services, and citywide emergency management services when adopting its annual operating budget.
To determine the amount of this investment, the resolution provides a clear definition of budgeted unrestricted general funds that are eligible to be included and not included in the calculation of the total amount of the City’s youth unrestricted general fund investments as the basis for the calculation of the percentage increase.
The resolution also recognizes that City staff need sufficient time to develop the process by which these calculations will be made. As such, the resolution calls for a progress report no later than six months after the resolution’s adoption and subsequent reports as determined by City Council.
Policy Considerations: In December 2017, the City Council adopted the Citywide Youth Development Campaign Plan (“Youth Plan”) that outlines a vision where all Sacramento children and youth are valued and reach their fullest potential.
Ensuring public safety in all communities across the City, particularly those that are the most in need, and for the prevention services supported by our communities, is essential to reaching this vision. Resolution No. 2020-0351 establishes a definition of the services required to ensure public safety and recognizes the critical nature of youth-centered prevention programs.
The proposed resolution provides an avenue for the implementation of Resolution 2020-0351 through budget parity; and thus, enhance the City’s efforts to implement the Youth Plan’s vision.
Economic Impacts: Unknown.
Environmental Considerations: This action is not subject to CEQA because it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and it relates to government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines § 15378(a), (b)(2), (b)(4) and (b)(5)).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: The adoption of a mechanism to incorporate budget parity into public safety services recognizes the stated understanding of what these services include and will support a holistic approach to public safety. Incorporation of this resolution into City budget discussions will also better align policies with budget processes and documents.
By broadening the delivery of public safety resources to include prevention programs and services for youth under the age of 25, the City must ensure that adequate funding is provided for all aspects of its public safety efforts.
Financial Considerations:
Given timing of receipt of resolution language, there was not adequate time for the Finance Department to do an in-depth fiscal analysis. Staff are currently in the process of identifying Citywide youth investments, however this resolution provides additional direction. Approval of the resolution would increase costs and projected deficits in the General Fund by an unknown amount.
To properly calculate impact, a breakdown of budget for both youth and the general public would need to be determined. In addition, there would need to be clarity of resolution language regarding allowable Public Safety costs as certain expenses are tied to fees, revenues, and other existing commitments. Such associated costs are not discretionary.
It is also recommended that this Council item go through the Budget and Audit Committee since it would have an impact on the City’s budget process.
Any upstream investment in young people through youth-centered prevention services could result in future savings for the City.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
[DATE]
Investing in the City of Sacramento’s Youth-Centered Prevention Services to Implement the City’s Definition of Public Safety Services
BACKGROUND
The City Council finds and declares the following:
A. In December 2017, the City Council, recognizing that youth need parameters in place to feel safe, unanimously adopted a Citywide Youth Development Campaign Plan (Youth Plan) that strives to “create a safe environment, both physically and emotionally, in all settings, honoring culture and community” and to “promote equity, justice, and accountability with a concerted application of resources.”
B. To effectively implement the Youth Plan and ensure public safety, the City recognizes the role of preventive programs and activities for youth by funding and providing internal and external supports and programs focusing on workforce development, leadership, and enrichment activities focused on youth.
C. On October 27, 2020, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 2020- 0351 which expanded the definition of public safety services as the following:
a) police, fire, emergency medical services, and citywide emergency management services; and
b) youth-centered prevention services.
D. Through its annual budget process and policy making activities, the City recognizes the importance of providing adequate funding for all public safety services as defined in Resolution No. 2020-0351.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Proportional investments in youth-centered prevention services. Using the expanded definition of public safety services, the City will increase its investment of unrestricted general funds in youth-centered prevention services by the same percentage as any increase in investment of unrestricted general funds in police, fire, emergency medical services, and citywide emergency management services when adopting its annual operating budget.
This increased investment shall be allocated in an equitable manner in consideration of highest need for youth prevention services in communities that have been historically under-resourced. This allocation would be determined through the budget development and approval process.
Section 2. Identification of investments in youth-centered prevention services expenditures. To further implement this Resolution, the City shall determine the amount of youth-centered prevention services from unrestricted general fund budgeted in the previous fiscal year. This process will occur each fiscal year moving forward upon the adoption of this resolution.
Section 3. Eligible youth-centered prevention services. To determine the eligible amount of youth-centered prevention investments budgeted in the previous fiscal year the City will use the following definition to identify the City-funded capital infrastructure, programs, and staffing impacted:
a) Services explicitly targeted to youth and to families when eligibility is dependent on the presence of youth in the family;
b) A portion of services explicitly for youth when part of a broader service for the general public; and
c) Youth would be defined an individual under the age of 25.
Section 4. Non-eligible youth-centered prevention services. To determine the amount of youth-centered prevention services budgeted in the previous fiscal year, the City will not include services where children benefit as part of a larger class or general public.
Section 5. Timeline. City staff shall determine the process to identify the budgeted amount of unrestricted general funds invested in youth-centered prevention services as well as the budgeted amount of unrestricted general funds allocated to police, fire, and emergency services. City staff shall provide a progress report on the development of this process to City Council no later than six months after the resolution’s adoption and on subsequent dates as determined by City Council.