CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA March 21, 2023
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
City Council Chambers
4488 Red Bluff Street
Shasta Lake. CA 96019
Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 6:00 PM
Mayor: Greg Watkins
Vice Mayor: Janice Powell
Council Members: Justin Jones, Pamelyn Morgan
OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING
• Watch a livestream of the meeting online or view the recording any time after the meeting concludes at the following: cityofshastalake.org/meetings
• Submit public comment by mail or email addressed to City Clerk, City of Shasta Lake, PO Box 777, Shasta Lake, CA 96019 or [email protected]. Mailed and emailed comments must be received one day prior to the meeting to be included.
6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING:
Call to order (please place electronic devices on silent) Statement for the record of Council Members present or absent Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:
Proclamation for Fair Housing Month, April 2023.
The Brown Act prohibits the Council from taking action on any item not placed on the Agenda in most cases. The Brown Act requires any non-confidential documents or writings distributed to a majority of the City Council less than 72 hours before a regular meeting to be made available to members of the public at the same time they are distributed.
Should supplemental materials to be evaluated in the decision-making process be made available to the members of the legislative body at the meeting, seven (7) copies must be provided to the City Clerk who will distribute them.
Councilmembers are encouraged to contact the City Manager prior to the meeting with questions or concerns regarding any item on the Agenda so that their questions and concerns can be adequately addressed at the meeting.
Agenda packets are available for public review at City Hall, 4477 Main Street, Shasta Lake, CA during normal business hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays.
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call (530) 275-7407. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting is requested to enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA March 21, 2023
PRESENTATIONS:
Clean California Presentation and announcement regarding a local “Dam” Boulevard Clean Up Event.
Website for the Clean CA initiative: https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/about The website for community clean-up program: https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/community-days Presentation by Katie Sears from Hill Country for an update on Project Homekey.
COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, AND OUTSIDE AGENCY REPORTS:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
This time is set aside for citizens to address the City Council on matters listed on the Consent Agenda as well as other items not included on the Regular Agenda. If your comments concern an item noted on the regular agenda, please address the Council when that item is open for public comment. Each speaker is allocated three (3) minutes to speak. Speakers may not cede their time. Comments should be limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the City. Council discussion or action cannot be taken on items not listed on the agenda other than to receive comments. Speaker forms are available from the City Clerk, 4477 Main Street, Shasta Lake, on the City’s website, or at the back of the meeting hall. If you have documents to present to members of Council, please provide a minimum of seven copies.
CONSENT AGENDA:
The items listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine business and will be voted on together by one motion unless a Council Member requests a specific item to be removed and discussed separately.
1. Acceptance of the Minutes of the March 7, 2023 regular meeting. (page 4)
2. Resolution to declare McGuire Pacific Constructors the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, award a construction contract in the amount of $165,150.00 to McGuire Pacific Constructors for the construction of the HSIP Cycle 10 Safety Improvements Project, and approve total expenditure for construction not to exceed $187,319.00. (page 6)
3. Information item: (page 10)
Checks, E-payments, and wires:
2/16/2023 $1,744,783.40
2/23/2023 $262,660.24
Payrolls:
03/10/2023 $187,451.05
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA March 21, 2023
REGULAR AGENDA:
4. Discussion and possible action on a Resolution adopting Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget. (page 18)
5. Discussion and possible action to submit letters of support for SB 43, Behavioral Health and SB 363, facilities for inpatient and residential mental health and substance use disorder: database. (page 24)
6. STAFF COMMENTS:
7. CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS:
This is the time set aside for Council Members, who may so desire, to give brief comments or reports concerning City matters. The City Council may not enter into discussion on matters reported.
Statements made by individual Council Members should not be interpreted as a statement of the City Council. The City Council only takes action by majority vote. • Brief reports by members of the Council regarding correspondence, events and/or meetings attended, and upcoming meetings/events.
• Suggestions/motions for future agenda items.
• In compliance with Assembly Bill 1234, Council will report on attendance at conferences/meetings/events where expenses are reimbursed by the City.
ADJOURNMENT:
Meetings are broadcast on the Wednesday following the meeting at 6:00 PM and the following Friday at 2:00 PM on Charter Channel 181. Videos of meetings are also available through the City website: www.cityofshastalake.org
PROCLAMATION
A CITY OF SHASTA LAKE MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION FOR
FAIR HOUSING MONTH, APRIL 2023
WHEREAS, the principle of fair housing is not only state and national law and policy, but a fundamental human concept; and
WHEREAS, discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, disability, familial status, religion, marital status, source of income, or any arbitrary reason is illegal in California; and WHEREAS, economic stability, community health, and human relations in all communities are improved by diversity and integration; and
WHEREAS, the City of Shasta Lake promotes fair housing through its various grant funded programs, partnerships, and projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Mayor of the City of Shasta Lake that April be recognized as Fair Housing Month.
Dated this 21st day of March 2023
GREG WATKINS, Mayor
1 PURPOSE
The goal is to work together to clean up our communities and spread the word about taking pride in keeping
California clean.
BENEFIT
Celebrate your community while learning about the impacts of litter and how to properly dispose of it. Activate community volunteerism and Clean California.
GET INVOLVED
Take pride in your community with a local volunteer clean-up event. Join one already scheduled or plan your own.
Learn how you can hold a clean-up in your community here. 2 For more information, contact Whitney Zeller
530-275-7427 | [email protected]
Please, join us!
Clean California Community Days
Sunday, March 26, 2023 10am to 12pm (clean up)
12:30pm (lunch and group photo)
"DAM" BOULEVARD CLEAN UP
To participate, meet at Shasta Lake City Hall (4477 Main St.) on the event day at 10am where we will divide into groups along the boulevard. Pickers and garbage bags will be provided.
Participants will receive a volunteer T-shirt and the group will meet for a photo complimentary lunch at the Shasta Dam Vista Point after the clean up!
3 MEETING OF THE CITY OF SHASTA LAKE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023 AT THE
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4488 RED BLUFF ST, SHASTA LAKE, CALIFORNIA
66:00 PM CALL TO ORDER - Regular Session
Mayor Watkins convened the regular meeting at 6:00 PM
Council Members present: Jones, Morgan, Powell, Watkins Council Members absent: none
Pledge & invocation
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Proclamation for Women’s History Month, March 2023.
PRESENTATIONS:
James Takehara, Electric Utility Director – Electric Industry Update.
Tony Thomasy, Water Utility Specialist – 2023 Water Supply Update.
COMMISSION, COMMITTEE, AND OUTSIDE AGENCY REPORTS
Travis Humphrey, President of Shasta Dam Area Little League – Outside Agency Funding Report.
Public Comment:
Rose Smith spoke regarding restroom closures at Clair Engle Park.
James Colllier spoke regarding government over-reach.
Jim Mark spoke regarding term limits and police body cameras.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Acceptance of the Minutes of the February 21, 2023 regular meeting.
2. Information item:
Checks, E-payments, and wires:
01/26/2023 $227,525.58
02/03/2023 $183,713.99
02/09/2023 $1,579.897.36
Payrolls:
02/24/2023 $177,802.52
Motion/Vote:
By motion made/seconded (Morgan/Powell), and carried, the consent agenda was approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS None
4 REGULAR AGENDA
3. Discussion and possible action to approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $5,716.00 and authorizing the City Manager to reimburse the Shasta Lake Gateway Library for the ADA improvements at 1650 Stanton Drive.
Public Comment: Kay Kobe and Rose Smith spoke in favor of the item.
Motion/Vote:
By motion made/seconded (Morgan/Jones), and carried, Resolution CC-2023-10 was approved.
4. Discussion and possible action to accept the Audited Financial Statements, Single Audit Act Report, Management Letter, and Auditor’s
Motion/Vote:
By motion made/seconded (Morgan/Powell), and carried, Resolution CC-2023-11 was approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
Staff Comments
City Council Comments
Mayor Watkins did a brief presentation on recent SRTA activity.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Mayor Watkins adjourned the meeting at 7:45 pm.
_____________________________
TONI M. COATES, CMC, City Clerk
5 Report and Recommendations 2
Reviewed and Approved
City Manager
AGENDA ITEM
City Council
TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Will Bond, City Engineer / Public Works Director
DATE: March 21, 2023
SUBJECT: Construction Contract Award
HSIP Cycle 10 Safety Improvements Project – Bid No. 2022-10 FILE NO.: New
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests that the City Council award the HSIP Cycle 10 Safety Improvements Project to McGuire Pacific Constructors of Auburn, CA in the amount of $165,150.00 and approve a total of $187,318.00 to allow for a contract contingency.
BACKGROUND:
The City applied for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 10 funds for a pedestrian crossing safety project and received an award letter March 26, 2021. The project scope was to improve the three existing pedestrian crossings on SR 151 with enhanced signage and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) installation.
Four (4) bids were received on March 9, 2023. All four bids were deemed to be responsive. The bids ranged from a low responsive bid of $165,150.00 to a high responsive bid of $189,773.00.
The lowest responsive bid was about 3% lower than the Engineer’s Estimate of $165,150.00 and the highest responsive bid was about 10% higher than the Engineer’s Estimate. A Bid Summary is attached.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
This project is funded through currently budgeted HSIP grant funds and any construction management activities will also be funding through the grant program up to $32, 681.00.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution, Bid Summary
6 DISTRIBUTION:
City Council
PROJECT LOCTION MAP:
7 RESOLUTION CC 2023-xx
________________________________________________________________________________
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SHASTA LAKE CITY COUNCIL TO DECLARE MCGUIRE
PACIFIC CONSTRUCTORS THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE, RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $165,150.00TO MCGUIRE PACIFIC CONSTRUCTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HSIP CYCLE 10 SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, AND APPROVE TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR CONSTRUCTION NOT TO EXCEED $187,319.00
________________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, The City advertised for competitive bids to construct the above project starting on February 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, The City opened four competitive bids on March 9, 2023; and WHEREAS, the lowest responsive, responsible bidder was McGuire Pacific Constructors of Auburn, CA with a bid of $165,150.00; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the construction contract funds, contingency funds need to be allocated, creating a construction budget of $187,319.00
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Shasta Lake City Council hereby:
Declares McGuire Pacific Constructors of Auburn, CA the low responsive, responsible bidder, awards a construction contract in the amount of $165,150.00 to McGuire Pacific Constructors of Auburn, CA for the construction of the HSIP Cycle 10 Safety Improvements Project, and approves a total expenditure for construction not to exceed $187,319.00.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 21st day of March, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
GREG WATKINS, MAYOR
ATTEST:
TONI M. COATES, CMC
City Clerk
8 Engineer's Estimate
License No. 587099 License No. 1003811
DIR No. 1000009016 DIR No. 1000022208
Item # Description Est. Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Unit Price Total Unit Price Total 1 Traffic Control 1 LS $5,000.00 $16,500.00 $12,250.00 $12,250.00 $29,000.00 $29,000.00 2 Erosion and Sediment Control 1 LS $1,000.00 $5,000.00 $2,400.00 $2,400.00 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 3 Location 1 1 LS $1,000.00 $42,290.00 $45,500.00 $45,500.00 $51,000.00 $51,000.00 4 Location 2 1 LS $15,000.00 $51,420.00 $49,500.00 $49,500.00 $51,700.00 $51,700.00 5 Location 3 1 LS $143,000.00 $55,080.00 $55,500.00 $55,500.00 $55,000.00 $55,000.00 Total: $170,290.00 $165,150.00 $189,200.00
Subcontractor(s): Sierra Traffic Markings Sierra Traffic Markings SnL Group, Inc.
License No. 987763 License No. 520207 License No. xxx
DIR No. 1000013338 DIR No. 1000003465 DIR No. xxx
Item # Description Est. Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Unit Price Total Unit Price Total 1 Traffic Control 1 LS $15,000.00 $15,000.00 $18,000.00 $18,000.00 2 Erosion and Sediment Control 1 LS $920.00 $920.00 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 3 Location 1 1 LS $50,338.00 $50,338.00 $53,000.00 $53,000.00 4 Location 2 1 LS $53,975.00 $53,975.00 $55,000.00 $55,000.00 5 Location 3 1 LS $69,540.00 $69,540.00 $63,000.00 $63,000.00 Total: $189,773.00 $191,500.00 $0.00
Subcontractor(s): Statewide Traffic Safety & Sgin Terry Hansen Electric Vestra Resources Specialized Pavement Marking
Specialized Pavement Marking
Backcountry Excavating
xxx
St. Francis Electric, LLC.
HSIP Cycle 10 Improvements
Bid No. 2022-10
Bid Opening Date: March 09, 2023
Robert J Frank Construction
McGuire Pacific Constructors
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 Report and Recommendations 4
Reviewed and Approved
City Manager
AGENDA ITEM
City Council Meeting
TO: Jessaca Lugo, City Manager
FROM: Jason Peterson, Finance Manager
DATE: March 15, 2023
SUBJECT: Resolution Adopting Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget FILE NO: F-200-050-012
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff respectfully submits for approval the fiscal year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget for the City of Shasta Lake.
BACKGROUND:
If Council desires any further budgetary changes, a motion to amend the Mid-Year Budget would be required.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The Mid-Year Budget revisions include revenue and expenditure changes for various funds as presented in the attached Budget Review Message.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Resolution adopting the FY 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget.
• Budget Review Message
DISTRIBUTION:
City of Shasta Lake City Council
18 RESOLUTION CC-2023-XX
A SHASTA LAKE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEARS 2022-23 and 2023-24 MID-YEAR BUDGET.
WHEREAS, the City of Shasta Lake annually appropriates funds to conduct the business of the City, and;
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the proposed Mid-Year budget revisions for the Fiscal Years 2022-23 and 2023-24, as presented in the attached Budget Review Message.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Shasta Lake City Council hereby approves and adopts the FY 2022-23 and 2023-24 Mid-Year Budgets for the City of Shasta Lake; authorizes the collection of revenues and appropriates the funds necessary to implement its policies, priorities and objectives.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 21st day of March, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
GREG WATKINS, Mayor
ATTEST:
TONI M. COATES, CMC
City Clerk
19 MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Jason Peterson, Finance Manager
DATE: March 15, 2023
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget Review Message The City of Shasta Lake’s (the City) budget review for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, is presented here and includes all the revenues and expenditures of the current budget cycle. This is the first year of the City’s two-year budget. In most instances, revenue and expenditures are based on known information likely to occur, however, it is important to note that the City is reliant on many factors when making projections for the balance of this fiscal year.
The City maintains and accounts for separate funds. Each of these funds includes their own revenue and expenditures and is accounted for separately. With very few exceptions, revenue collected within a fund must be expended for the operations that the fund is intended.
General Fund
General Fund Revenues
A revenue increase of $15,600, from grant funds, with no other anticipated changes to General Fund revenues.
The following table represents the projected General Fund revenue increase to the originally approved General Fund revenue budget for fiscal year 2022-23:
20 General Fund Expenditures
The General Fund has proposed expenditure increases of $245,600, to the originally approved General Fund budget of $10,696,403, for a new estimate of $10,942.003.
The following table represents the recommended changes to expenditures within the City’s General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. It is being requested that $215,000 in expenditures be added to the budget for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24, as this budget item has been included in past budgets but was inadvertently omitted.
The table below show these changes by department:
21 With changes and adjustments recommended by Staff, subsequently approved by the City Council, and maintaining a fiscally conservative approach, the City of Shasta Lake has continued to maintain a viable General Fund. This fiscally conservative approach entails estimating revenues low and expenditures high.
This means that in most fiscal years there are budget savings. That is the case here, and even though there are expenditure increases being proposed, the General Fund is projected to remain in a stable position at the end of this fiscal year.
The table below shows notable changes to expenditures, including offsetting revenues, for some of the City’s other funds, as noted, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2024:
22 Special Revenue Funds
CDBG Projects Funds
The CDBG program is a pass-through federal grant awarded from the State of California Housing and Community Development to grant small cities with a population under 50,000. This funding is released through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), and is a competitive application process. CDBG funding may be used for projects such as; community service, infrastructure improvements, and housing for lowincome residents. Typical projects funded in the past include infrastructure improvements and construction of public facilities.
Revenues – The City is very active in securing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.
These grants operate on a reimbursement basis, which means it never has a cash balance available to earn interest income.
Expenditures – An increase of $8,171,999 for multiple projects, all offset by grant revenues.
Wastewater Treatment Debt Service Fund
Expenditures – A $10,500 increase for costs related to consulting.
Enterprise Funds
Electric Enterprise
Expenditures – A $11,000,000 increase for costs related to the purchase of electricity for industrial customers, offset by revenue.
Water Enterprise
Expenditures – A $20,000 increase for costs related to maintenance and equipment.
Industrial Park
Expenditures – A $1,000 increase for costs related to consulting.
Fiduciary Funds
Successor Agency (Former Redevelopment Agency)
Expenditures – A $414,781 increase for costs related to debt service and trustee fees, offset by revenue.
This traditionally has not been included in the budget document. For transparency it is being included now. 23 Cal Cities backs Senator Eggman’s
efforts to bring more changes to
California's behavioral health care
system
Mar 8, 2023
Cal Cities supports both proposed measures, SB 43 and SB 363.
Sen. Susan Eggman unveiled two bills last Wednesday that would further update California's behavioral health system: SB 43and SB 363. The bills are supported by the League of California Cities, behavioral health advocates, and the Big City Mayors Coalition, which is sponsoring the measures.
SB 43 would update California's 1967 conservatorship law by expanding the definition of "gravely disabled" to include conditions that result in a substantial risk of serious harm to an individual's physical or mental health. The current law’s high threshold makes it difficult to provide treatment for individuals unable to care for themselves.
SB 363 would establish a real-time, internet-based dashboard to collect, aggregate, and display information about available beds in psychiatric and substance abuse facilities. This easily accessible data would connect individuals to care more quickly and help cut down on extended emergency room stays.
Like many other health conditions, when mental illness and substance use are treated early and with appropriate supports and services, they are less disabling and result in fewer adverse outcomes.
24 Cal Cities is eager to again support efforts that would provide cities' most vulnerable residents with access to the behavioral health services they need.
These proposals are consistent with Cal Cities 2023 Advocacy Prioritiesand budget asks, which seek to secure increased funding and resources to prevent homelessness and assist individuals experiencing homelessness.
Eggman, a clinical social worker, introduced similar measures last year. Her 2022 eight-bill legislative packagewas aimed at better coordinating existing programs to improve patient outcomes. Cal Cities supported all eight measures. Ultimately, only three were signed into law.
If your city would like to signal support for this legislation, consider submitting a city sample letter for SB 43and SB 363. For more information about Cal Cities' advocacy efforts on these bills, please contact Legislative Affairs Lobbyist Caroline Cirrincion
25 March 21, 2023
The Honorable Susan Eggman
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Room 8530
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SB 43 (Eggman) Behavioral Health.
Notice of SUPPORT (As amended 02/28/23)
Dear Senator Eggman,
The City of Shasta Lake, is pleased to support SB 43 (Eggman), which would modernize portions of California's behavioral health treatment system and social safety net system to ensure that vulnerable individuals with the most acute needs receive access to the care they need.
SB 43 modernizes the definition of "gravely disabled" within the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to include conditions that result in a substantial risk of serious harm to an individual's physical or mental health. This includes the inability to seek medical care, adequate shelter, or self-protection and safety. Updating this definition better reflects the contemporary realities present in our communities, ensuring that individuals at risk of significant harm receive the help they need.
Additionally, this measure allows relevant medical history to be considered by the court in a uniform manner across the state by creating a hearsay exemption for information contained in a medical record so all relevant information can be presented and considered by the court. This would ensure that a complete and accurate picture is presented in court when considering the very serious step of conservatorship.
The recent Nor Cal Continuum of Care Point-in-Time (PIT) count revealed chronic homelessness increased by 31% between 2022 and 2020 (2021 no PIT was completed). In addition, a 2022 report on homelessness in the U.S., the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that 172,000 people were homeless in California in January 2022, a nearly 13% increase since 2019. The number of homeless individuals in California is increasing, not decreasing. The question of why is yet to be answered. The “community care” touted to replace the hospitals in landmark 1967 “reform” legislation never materialized, and seriously mentally ill patients suddenly discharged after decades in state hospitals, ended up on the streets in a rapidly spiraling homelessness crisis. This crisis was only further exacerbated when California suddenly released their prison population with no plan for housing coupled with the opioid crisis which attacked all races, ages, and socio-economic populations, furthering the mental health crisis into what it is today. The City of Shasta Lake frequently finds individuals who illegally camp on private and public property with nowhere to go. Often these individuals have health issues beyond mental 26 health, and it is evident they cannot care for themselves. Unfortunately, county jails and local hospitals are being used to treat these individuals, but the jails were not programmed to deal with this crisis nor have the capacity. These individuals need long term mental health in-patient support.
Something needs to be done.
Cities are on the front lines of addressing homelessness and need additional tools and resources to end this crisis in our state. We recognize that for unsheltered individuals with severe behavioral health needs, access to a comprehensive care system can be essential to addressing their homelessness. That is why The City of Shasta Lake is eager to support legislation such as SB 43, which takes a comprehensive look at our existing system and makes targeted improvements.
For these reasons, the City of Shasta Lake supports SB 43 (Eggman).
Very truly yours,
CITY OF SHASTA LAKE
GREG WATKINS
MAYOR
cc: The Honorable Susan Eggman
Senator Brian Dale and Assembly woman Megan Dahle
Charles Anderson, League of California Cities
League of California Cities (via email: [email protected]) 27 March 21, 2023
The Honorable Susan Eggman
Chair, Senate Health Committee
State Capitol, Room 3310
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SB 363 (Eggman) Facilities for inpatient and residential mental health and substance use disorder: database.
Notice of SUPPORT (As Introduced 2/08/23)
Dear Senator Eggman,
The City of Shasta Lake is pleased to support SB 363 (Eggman), which would establish a realtime behavioral health bed database.
Specifically, this measure would require the State Department of Health Care Services to develop a database by 2025 to collect, aggregate, and display information about beds in inpatient psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, community care facilities, and licensed residential alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities. This information would help provide timely access to care and increase coordination between service settings.
SB 363 would additionally require this database to include data related to the facility, including if a bed is available, the services provided, diagnoses, and the age range for which the bed is appropriate. This data would streamline access to care and be a valuable tool for local leaders and policymakers in directing funding and resources based on bed capacity and utilization.
The recent Nor Cal Continuum of Care Point-in-Time (PIT) count revealed chronic homelessness increased by 31% of between 2022 and 2020 (2021 no PIT was completed). In addition, a 2022 report on homelessness in the U.S., the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that 172,000 people were homeless in California in January 2022, a nearly 13% increase since 2019. The number of homeless individuals in California is increasing, not decreasing. The question of why is yet to be answered. The “community care” touted to replace the hospitals in landmark 1967 “reform” legislation never materialized, and seriously mentally ill patients suddenly discharged after decades in state hospitals, ended up on the streets in a rapidly spiraling homelessness crisis. This crisis was only further exacerbated when California suddenly released their prison population with no plan for housing coupled with the opioid crisis which attacked all races, ages, and socio-economic populations furthering the mental health crisis into what it is today. The City of Shasta Lake frequently finds individuals who illegally camp on private and public property with nowhere to go. Often these individuals have health issues beyond mental 28 health, and it is evident they cannot care for themselves. Unfortunately, county jails and local hospitals are being used to treat these individuals, but the jails were not programmed to deal with this crisis nor have the capacity. Tthese individuals need long term mental health in patient support.
Something needs to be done.
Mental illness and substance use, like many other health conditions, when treated early and with appropriate supports and services, will be less disabling and result in fewer adverse outcomes. SB 363 would provide easily accessible bed availability data that would connect individuals to care more quickly, and also help cut down on extended emergency room stays.
The City of Shasta Lake believes SB 363 is a step in the right direction, providing critical data to help assess the capacity of our system. For these reasons, the City of Shasta Lake supports SB 363 (Eggman).
Very truly yours,
CITY OF SHASTA LAKE
GREG WATKINS
MAYOR
cc: The Honorable Susan Eggman
Senator Brian Dale and Assemblywoman Megan Dahle
Charles Anderson, League of California Cities
League of California Cities [email protected]
29