DATE: JUNE 17, 2025
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
FROM: LISA MURPHY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
TITLE: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE COUNTY OF MONTEREY FOR MOBILE CRISIS SERVICES RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Monterey for the Mobile Crisis Services Program in an amount not to exceed $390,000 for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In 2023 the Salinas City Council made the creation and implementation of a mobile crisis unit a priority initiative. To meet that objective, the Salinas Fire Department collaborated with the County of Monterey for a one-year pilot Mobile Crisis Services Program. The Pilot Program was meant to enhance crisis response and intervention services to individuals and families within the City of Salinas through a collaborative effort. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was extended for an additional six-months, expiring on June 30, 2025. This action will extend the MOU for an additional year. The annual cost to the City will be $390,000.
BACKGROUND:
The Program is a collaborative effort between the City and the County of Monterey to provide vital mental health services to those in crisis. The primary goal of the Program is to provide in-person risk and safety assessments, crisis intervention, and follow-up services to people in need within the city of Salinas. The proposed MOU is effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
The Mobile Crisis Field Response Team, provided by Sierra Mental Wellness Group, and managed by the County of Monterey, offers face-to-face crisis response, triage, and stabilization services to individuals and families in the city of Salinas. The Programs provides a non-law enforcement response to those in a non-violent mental or behavioral health crisis, improves community wellness, and provide crisis intervention services. The MOU outlines the procedures for mobile crisis responders, including arrival times, encounter components, and service restrictions in certain settings. The contracted agency is co-located at the Community Crisis Services office in Salinas, serving residents using an outpatient services model.
Funding provides for a two-person mobile crisis team 40-hours per week specifically to provide mobile crisis response in the City to augment the mobile crisis services provided regionally and countywide. The additional team funded by this project is operational Monday – Friday from 0800 to 1700 hours and was activated on January 1, 2024. This aligns with MCBH’s expansion of mobile crisis services countywide to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Monterey County Behavioral Health (MCBH), Sierra Mental Wellness Group (SMWG), and Seneca Family of Agencies collectively comprise the mobile crisis response teams in Monterey County and employ a range of personnel including licensed / license eligible clinicians, mental health rehabilitation specialists, and peers with lived experience who respond in two-person teams to crisis calls in the community.
In the first quarter of 2025, there were a total of 340 mobile crisis requests for service in the City of Salinas. This equates to 72% of all calls Countywide. In calendar year 2024, countywide, there were 6,650 calls received by the crisis line, of which 1,579 crisis calls required a response by the team, of which 834 were for the (53%) City of Salinas.
Continuation of this program will ensure members of our community will have a resource to respond during a crisis. If the council chooses not to renew the MOU, the city will lose the dedicated team to the city. Response to calls will still be provided, however there is one team for the remainder of the County of Monterey, thus resulting in extended response times for calls to the City.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City Council’s consideration and approval of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding is not a project subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No, Government Code §84308/ Levine Act does no apply to this item as contracts between governmental agencies are exempt.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This MOU supports the City Council’s Vision and Strategic Goals of Public Safety and Effective and Culturally Responsive Government.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Salinas Fire Department previously led the efforts in negotiation and completion of the original MOU for the City of Salinas. Going forward, the City Manager’s office with the assistance from both the Fire and Police Departments will coordinate efforts to implement and monitor this program.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Budget and is subject to appropriation by City Council.
Fund
Appropriation
Appropriation
Name
Total Appropriation
Amount for recommendation
FY 2025-26 Operating Budget Page
Last Budget Action (Date, Resolution)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Memorandum of Understanding
May 5, 2025 Quarterly Report
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