Agenda Item #13.5
For Council Meeting of: November 14, 2023
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MEGAN BASINGER, DIRECTOR,
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
SUBJECT: OPERATING AGREEMENT FOR SAFE PARKING PROGRAM WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF SANTA ROSA EXTENDING TERM FROM DECEMBER 31, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2025
AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Housing and Community Services Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an Operating Agreement for the Safe Parking Program with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in the amount of $1,949,739 in funds previously appropriated to Homeless Services for an eighteen-month period (January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025); and 2) authorize the Director of Housing and Community Services to execute the Operating Agreement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since January 1, 2022, the City has contracted with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (Catholic Charities) for operation of the Safe Parking Program (Program) through annual agreements for calendar years 2022 and 2023 in the amounts of $1,299,826, respectively. The current operating agreement is set to expire December 31, 2023, necessitating the execution of a new agreement. Staff is seeking approval of the Operating Agreement for the Safe Parking Program Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (Operating Agreement) in the amount of $1,949,739 for an eighteen-month period to align with the fiscal year (January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025). Of the $1,949,739, $949,739 is to be paid under the Operating Agreement and the balance ($1,000,000) is to be paid under a separate agreement between the City and Catholic Charities from the State of California’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) Program funding that was awarded to the City.
BACKGROUND
On December 7, 2021, Council approved Catholic Charities as the operator of the Program and execution of an initial operating agreement in the amount of $1,299,826 for the period January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022 (Year One) with an option to extend for the period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (Year Two). Funding was identified for this two-year period from ARPA and local funds (City General Fund and funding from the Sonoma County Community Development Commission (CDC)).
The Program, located in a portion of the City-owned parking lot at 55 Stony Point Road, is a housing-focused, low-barrier site providing up to 52 parking spaces for persons experiencing homelessness to safely park their vehicle or RV with access to basic services, such as food, sanitation and shower facilities, and wrap-around services targeted at ending their homelessness.
In January 2023, the City opted to extend operations and executed an agreement in the amount of $1,299,826 for the period January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023 (Year Two).
In spring 2023, the City applied for and was awarded the State of California’s BCSH ERF Program grant in the amount of $3,883,032.30 to provide comprehensive services for individuals residing in encampments in the Southwest and Southeast areas of the City, including extending Program operations.
Funding has been identified for an eighteen-month period (January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025) as follows:
$1,000,000.00
State of California’s BCSH ERF Program Grant Funds - to be paid under a separate agreement between the City and Catholic Charities $784,390.97
ARPA Funds
$165,348.03
Local Funds
$1,949,739.00
Total
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On December 7, 2021, Council approved Catholic Charities as the operator of the Program and execution of an operating agreement in the amount of $1,299,826 for the initial period January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 (Year One) with an option to extend for the period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (Year Two).
On March 15, 2022, Council approved execution of a Funding Grant Agreement between the City and the Sonoma County CDC to provide $500,000 in funding for operation of the Program for Fiscal Year 2021/2022.
On July 11, 2023 Council accepted and appropriated the State of California’s BCSH ERF Program grant in the amount of $3,883,032.30 to provide comprehensive services for individuals residing in encampments in the Southwest and Southeast areas of the City.
ANALYSIS
Between opening in March 2022 and August 2023, the Program has achieved the following outcomes:
164 individuals received interim shelter in the Program; 136 individuals (83% of participants) engaged in case management services; 30 individuals (25% of exits) exited to permanent housing; 18 individuals (15% of exits) exited to emergency shelter or other temporary housing.
Catholic Charities has successfully fulfilled its obligations and met the performance standards set forth in the City’s operating agreements, including promptly addressing any complaints or concerns.
Catholic Charities will continue to submit quarterly reports to include the outcomes outlined above along with narratives on the Program’s progress, client engagement and feedback process, and explanation of any exits to the street or unknown destination.
Approval of the proposed Operating Agreement will authorize the expenditure of $1,949,739 in previously budgeted funds for continued operation of the Program through Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund for this Operating Agreement. It is funded by three one-time sources – ARPA, State ERF grant, and local funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This Program has been found in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities, and CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan or Zoning. Specifically, the Program consists of the operation of an existing public facility involving a negligible expansion of the existing parking lot use. In addition, the Program implements the project site’s Public Institutional General Plan and Zoning classifications, and General Plan policies, by providing a facility to support to the public. The Program is also exempt from CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(c) of the Guidelines because the proposed actions are necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency under the City’s Local Homeless Emergency Declaration and therefore are statutorily exempt from CEQA. Therefore, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution/Exhibit A – Operating Agreement for the Safe Parking Program
PRESENTER
Sasha Brown
Program Specialist
[email protected]
OPERATING AGREEMENT FOR SAFE PARKING PROGRAM
PAGE 3 OF 3