DATE: JUNE 16, 2026
DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER
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 two-year Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Monterey for the Mobile Crisis Services Program in an amount not to exceed $818,296 from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028 ($401,375 for year one and $416,921 for year two).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In 2023 the Salinas City Council prioritized the implementation of a mobile crisis response program. 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 MOU was extended for an additional six-months, expiring on June 30, 2025, and again for another year on expiring on June 30, 2026. This action will extend the MOU for two additional years expiring June 30, 2028.
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, 2026, through June 30, 2028.
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 Program provides a non-law enforcement response to those in a non-violent mental or behavioral health crisis, improve 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 is aligned 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.
From January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025, Monterey County Behavioral Health (MCBH) and the contract provider partners, Sierra Mental Wellness Group (SMWG), and Seneca Family of Agencies (Seneca) received a total of 6,949 calls to the mobile crisis line, of which 1,969 calls required a team to be dispatched. Of those calls, 1,323 were for the City of Salinas. This equates to sixty-seven (67%) percent of the mobile crisis calls for service in Monterey County were for a response in the 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 because this MOU is between two governmental agencies.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This MOU supports the City Council’s Vision and Strategic Goals of Public Safety.
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:
The annual cost is $401,375 for year one and $416,921 for year two. Funding will be included through the budget development process.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Memorandum of Understanding
February 2026 Quarterly Report
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