2020_03_26 - Special - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Homelessness City Manager Duggan,Jr opened the discussion relating to homelessness during the declared existence of a local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic He introduced San Bernardino County Director of Government Legislative Affairs,Josh Candelaria,who detailed recent State and County actions With recent state orders,there are three funding streams $100 million for Cities and Continuum of Care Programs, $50 million that is discretionary and the County will be applying in conjunction with local providers and Cities, and larger allocations the Governor has set aside for trailers statewide These actions provide agencies the opportunity to be flexible and reprogram funds Council Member Momberger represents Redlands on the Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness, and they met earlier today to develop a strategic plan and leverage as many resources as possible within the region The City Manager presented a recap of current City activities and resources directed towards serving the homeless, some of which include the Homeless Emergency Aid Program(HEAP)Grant programs, police resources and mitigation measures taken by Facilities and Community Services Council Member discussion focused on funding sources,the urgent nature of stopping the spread of the virus, the vulnerability of the homeless population and County actions taken In order to be flexible and reprogram the budget, Council Member Momberger requested staff re-priontize and develop a short-term action plan to include a threat assessment and a list of resources, including input from our providers and a review of what other Cities are doing and then extend the authority to the COVID-19 Sub-Committee to direct staff without convening the full City Council, since this is a public health emergency All Council Members agreed to give authority to the Sub-Committee on COVID-19 and empowered the Sub-Committee to make decisions without convening the full Council Public Comment Procedures City Manager Duggan,Jr introduced the need for guidance from the Council relating to the provision of public comments for City Council meetings held during the declared existence of a local emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic Seventeen California cities were polled with results indicating nine Council meetings remain open to the public,while eight are closed to the public He thanked Director Garcia and her staff for their tremendous efforts to resolve technical issues surrounding teleconferencing meetings He stated the Chamber occupancy is set at twenty-six and if more than twenty-six members of the public attend, a line will be formed outside the building,using appropriate social distancing guidelines Staff is prepared to direct the overflow to a line outside the building As public comment,Denms Bell suggested the Council select Option One,which provides for the Chambers to remain open to the public, and he requested the City provide a way for the public to access hard copies of the full agenda packet in advance of meetings Each Council Member offered their preference,with Mayor Foster, Council Members Barch and Tejeda preferring to remain open to the public (Option 1)and follow the proper social distancing guidelines Mayor Pro Tempore Davis and Council Member Momberger opted to close the Chamber to the public (Option 2), and they expressed their concern that open meetings would encourage the public to attend and increase the likelihood of spreading the virus Mayor Foster announced the majority of the City Council selected Option One to keep the Chambers open and allow public comment during City Council meetings ADJOURNMENT There being no further action required the special meeting adjourned at 2 50 P M Special CC_March 26,2020 Page 3