Council Special Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, August 28, 2013 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Haffa, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala Absent: None City Staff Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Deputy City Manager, Plans & Public Present: Works, Chief of Planning, Police Chief, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance, Interim Finance Director, Community Services Director, Senior Assistant City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 1. Receive Report on Downtown Police Liaison Program, Research Into Safe Parking Programs, Bus Passes, Jobs Programs and Regional Shelter and Provide Direction to Staff (Recreation & Community Services - 101-03) Action: Approved staff recommendation for the Downtown Police Liaison Program including restorative justice; approved funding in the amount of $1,500 for the Salvation Army's Good Samaritan Center bus pass program from the $40,000 Council allocated for homeless programs; decided against subsidizing a shower program for homeless individuals at the Monterey Sports Center, and by consensus directed staff to present at the Council's September 17th meeting a proposal for a regional summit to discuss safe parking and other homeless issues and an evaluation of the safe parking program submitted by Dr. Sukin Mayor Della Sala introduced the item providing the public with a history of Council discussions on homelessness issues over the last several months. Library and Community Services Director Bui-Burton and Police Chief Penko presented the agenda report. Director Bui-Burton stated staff asks Council for direction, breaking it down into 4 decision points, clarifying that the 4 decision points capture the broad issues at hand. She began by restating the City Council policies and funding in regards to homelessness and emphasized that annually each year the Council allocates funding to service agencies to assist individuals who are homeless or are facing homelessness. She stated that this year the Council appropriated an additional $40,000 for homelessness for yet to be identified programs. Police Chief Penko described the Downtown Liaison Program and the costs of the current program. He stated he looked at more permanent alternatives and recommends reorganization within the Police Department, moving 1 detective and 1 traffic officer to be the permanent liaison action team and the addition of restorative justice training. Director Bui-Burton presented research collected on safe parking programs, noting staff contacted 23 cities and 11 states. She stressed that the name of the program is "safe parking", but that these programs do not mean the parking program guarantees safety for users. Director City Council Minutes Wednesday, August 28, 2013 Bui-Burton stated that research indicated these programs were managed by non-profits, religious agencies, and included wrap-around programs and many limitations. She stated based on feedback from Monterey residents there is no community consensus on having a safe parking program. She added non-profits were not in agreement that a safe parking program is needed within the City and that homelessness is not just a city problem, but is a regional problem. Director Bui-Burton asked Council to decide if a safe parking program is needed and if so to provide staff with criteria and next steps. Director Bui-Burton provided input on subsidized bus passes, either limited use or monthly use. She recommended staff should not issue subsidized bus passes. She asked Council to provide staff with criteria and next steps. Director Bui-Burton stated Councilmember Haffa is working on a jobs program and that item will be discussed at a later date. Director Bui-Burton discussed the idea of subsidizing a shower program for homeless individuals at the Monterey Sports Center (MSC). She stated the community has provided a significant amount of feedback that the MSC should not be used for this purpose. She described other facilities that provide this type of service and noted that these facilities and the MSC have very different missions. Director Bui-Burton asked Council, should it decide to support a program like this, to task the Parks and Recreation Commission to take public comment on this change in use of the MSC. Director Bui-Burton stated it is unfortunate that this topic has some negativity associated with it. She stated this is a community that cares for people in need. She emphasized that based on her research there is a strong consensus within the community for more housing, more jobs, increased funding for all non-profits that are inundated with requests, and better coordination between the non-profits. She stated people want practical solutions and long-term solutions. She stated Council decides where programs like these fit into Council priorities and how it is funded. Director Bui-Burton closed her presentation by reiterating that the 4 decision points are: Police Liaison Program, Safe Parking Program, Subsidized Bus Pass Program, and Use of Monterey Sports Center for Shower Program for Homeless Individuals. Council thanked staff for its in-depth research. Councilmember Sollecito stated the restorative justice training for staff would be invaluable and spoke out in support of the Council looking for regional solutions. Councilmember Haffa, City Attorney Davi, and Chief Penko discussed the potential for personal background checks in regards to the safe parking program, noting what a municipality may be able to legally require and what a non-profit may require could differ. Councilmember Haffa suggested funding the Good Samaritan program to help it extend its hours, but it was later clarified that that facility's use permit limits its hours of operation. Mayor Della Sala opened public comment on this item. Sarah Meyers spoke in support of a regional safe parking program and suggested use of a company like Independent Transportation Network Monterey County. Joyce Vandevere spoke in support of the Downtown Police Liaison Program, but wants the $40,000 used for homeless programs not for the liaison program. She stated she would support a regional program on homelessness. Maxwell Green spoke in support of a practical solution and supports the liaison program. Dr. Sukin thanked the City for its research and submitted a proposal she developed for a safe parking program. She spoke in support of regional solutions and suggested members for any future committee. Elizabeth Yanish spoke in support of local non-profits for youths and a regional solution that 2 City Council Minutes Wednesday, August 28, 2013 targets the homeless youth population. She suggested finding a location where youth could be engaged and trained, similar to Rancho Cielo in Salinas. She asked that the $40,000 go directly to the needs of our homeless. Nancy Jones asked the Council to extend its leadership towards a regional initiative to form a collective that can make a real difference, stating we can do more collectively than we can do individually. Michael Fechter thanked the Council for allocating $40,000 to homeless programs and hopes to see his dream realized that every person who desires to sleep and reorganize their life has a place to do so. Dale Ellis on behalf of the Monterey County Hospitality Association spoke in support of the liaison program downtown, urged Council to look at this as a regional issue and to put bus passes and other programs on the back burner until a regional solution is fleshed out. Larry Parrish asked Council not to make any decision tonight, asking for more time to get more feedback. He stated he did not hear in tonight's presentations anything about the benefits to these programs, benefits to the homeless or to the community. Nelson Vega spoke in support of the $40,000 going directly to homeless program. Jennifer Cojia stated the economy is the reason she is living in her car and spoke in support of a safe parking program. Brian Bejar, a crisis minister, spoke in support of the right kind of centers for the homeless that gives them a chance to recover and supported the safe parking program submitted by Dr. Sukin. Jody Hansen, President of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of a regional approach. She asked Council to look at the Del Monte Center's homelessness problems. She asked for programs that help job seekers. Timothy Barrett spoke in support of a Monterey sponsored summit on humane treatment of the homeless. Reverend Reid spoke in support of women who are homeless, asking for long term solutions. Dianne Cotton asked for alternatives to citing the homeless who sleep in their cars. Bob Oliver spoke in support of a safe parking program. Judy Karas spoke in support of a summit and suggested some locations for a safe parking program. She asked that the Monterey City Council and other local agencies reach out to the homeless and find out which and where programs are needed. An unidentified Monterey resident spoke in support of a regional approach asking that programs take into consideration unincorporated areas of the county. He noted that areas like Big Sur are a mecca for the homeless. Director Tiffany of the Good Samaritan Center described the center's operations, funding, and programs. She explained its use permit and its limited hours of operation. She explained the criteria the center uses for issuance of bus passes. She stated if the center's budget for bus passes could be tripled it could really help. Seeing no more requests to speak Mayor Della Sala closed public comment and at 9:00 p.m. he recessed the meeting for a short break. Mayor Della Sala called the meeting back to order at 9:14 p.m. Councilmember Sollecito spoke in support of the liaison program, stating the program protects everyone. Councilmember Sollecito stated he wants to see all local cities, the county, and non- profits involved in homeless programs. He stressed there is limited funds and together agencies could collectively put the dollars to the best use. 3 City Council Minutes Wednesday, August 28, 2013 Councilmember Downey moved and it was seconded by Mayor Della Sala to approve the Downtown Police Liaison Program as recommended in the agenda report including the restorative justice program. Councilmember Selfridge spoke against any additional funding for the Police Department. Chief Penko clarified the recommendation does use any of the $40,000 homeless program funds. Councilmember Haffa stated the Council needs to be cognizant of the needs of our businesses and our neighborhoods as well as the needs of the homeless, stressing the City needs a balanced approach. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haffa, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Councilmember Downey moved that the Council not approve a shower program for the homeless at the Monterey Sports Center and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Selfridge. Councilmember Haffa asked staff if there were alternative locations for a shower program that was less disturbing to the community. Director Bui-Burton stated there are already 2 paid shower facilities, one at Veterans Park and one at the Breakwater. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haffa, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Councilmember Selfridge moved to fund the Good Samaritan Center with $1,000 for laundry services and bus passes. Councilmember Downey stated she could support the motion if it only was used for bus passes. Councilmember Selfridge amended her motion to remove laundry services and Councilmember Downey seconded the motion. Councilmember Haffa suggested funding the Good Samaritan Center with $1,500 instead, noting this would be slightly more than what the center director requested. Councilmember Selfridge amended her motion increasing the amount to $1,500 and Councilmember Downey agreed to the amendment of the motion; the motion passed by the following vote: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haffa, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None 4 City Council Minutes Wednesday, August 28, 2013 Councilmember Downey stated she would like to look at giving more help to women and children because there are fewer non-profit resources available for them than there are available for men. Councilmember Downey shared that there is a free medical clinic in Seaside Wednesday nights and encouraged people to take advantage of this program sponsored by the Rotary Club and called Rota Care Monterey Peninsula. Mayor Della Sala stated he supports a regional approach and suggested it be lead by Councilmember Haffa and others. City Attorney Davi recommended that any appointments be made at a future meeting. Mayor Della Sala suggested a good starting point might be best at a local Mayors Meeting, noting attendees include mayors of peninsula cities as well as a representation from the County. Councilmember Haffa agreed that a regional approach sounds good. In response to Councilmember Downey’s question Director Bui-Burton confirmed that at this time no non-profit or group of non-profits has volunteered to take on issues of homelessness. Mayor Della Sala stated it may be possible that a new non-profit may need to be created. Council discussed the idea of a summit and Director Bui-Burton stated that if staff is going to do the work, then staff needs to provide Council with the costs of the formation of the summit. On consensus the Council agreed to the idea of a summit and a regional approach to the safe parking and other homeless programs. Mayor Della Sala asked Director Bui-Burton to prepare a report on the idea of a summit for the Council’s September 17th and an evaluation of the safe parking program submitted by Dr. Sukin. Mayor Della Sala stated Council appreciates the work done by staff and all the feedback and comments heard from the public on these topics. In response to Councilmember Downey’s questions about a no-smoking ordinance for Downtown and the Wharf City Attorney David stated these are not problematic and staff is currently working on outreach and recommendations. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business before the Council Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Catherine A. Raynor Chuck Della Sala Senior Assistant City Clerk Mayor 5