For City Council Meeting [May 11, 2021]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Sean Grayson, Acting City Manager
FROM: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to Approve an Increase to Purchase Order No. 2020-2145 with Social Work Action Group (SWAG), for Fiscal Year 2020/21, in the Amount of $254,862 for Homeless Services through December 31, 2021, for a Total Purchase Order Amount of $549,022.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
The City of Rialto currently utilizes the nonprofit organization Social Work Action Group (SWAG) to provide street outreach services and intensive case management to homeless individuals and families throughout the city.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
On May 20, 2020, City Council approved a professional services agreement with Social Work Action Group, which began on June 1, 2020, and has been approved by the City Council through June 30, 2021 in the amount $294,160. As proposed, services through May 31, 2021 will be funded through a California’s Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) Grant by way of the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services (OHS), with the final 7 months of calendar year 2021 being funded by a combination of CARES Act Bill funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and budgeted departmental funds.
As of March 31, 2021, four social workers from SWAG have provided services to 194 homeless individuals in the City of Rialto. Those services include but are not limited to: connecting 81 individuals to medical services, 97 mental health services, 35 veterans to veteran assistance and 34 substance abuse treatments. Moreover, 60 homeless individuals received shelter and 28 placed into permanent housing. Overall, SWAG has documented a total of 1,370 interactions with members of the homeless population, wherein varying degrees of service were offered.
SWAG is currently case managing more than 50 homeless individuals. These individuals are in varying stages of their case plans, including substance abuse facilities, emergency shelters and mental health facilities. Without SWAG to assist with their transition into permanent housing, these individuals will most likely return to the streets of Rialto.
The partnership between the City of Rialto and SWAG has proven to be one of the most effective methods for reducing homelessness in San Bernardino County. This innovative partnership has significantly changed the way cities address homelessness. Due to the success of Rialto’s homeless service program and improvement of the quality of life within the city, several San Bernardino County agencies have solicited SWAG for homeless services. The City of Rialto’s homeless service program has proven to be one of the more effective programs in the region in addressing homelessness in our communities.
In an effort of continuing at the forefront of the County in providing homeless services, staff is recommending Council approve the PO increase of $254,862 to maintain the partnership with SWAG at the same service level through December 31, 2021. Without the proposed increase in funding, Rialto’s homeless service program would lose momentum and risk altering the rapport SWAG and the police department’s community outreach bureau has built with the City’s homeless population, the community and homeless service agencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making.
2) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The proposed action is consistent with the following goal of the city’s general plan:
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Sufficient funds are approved and available in the HEAP Grant Account No. 248-500-8812-2011 in the amount of $29,700, $197,162 in Community Development Block Grant Account No. 234-500-1857-2060-COVD19, and $28,000 in General Fund Field Service Account No. 010-500-6281-2011 for the total PO increase of $254,862 with SWAG for homeless services through December 31, 2021.
Per Rialto Municipal Code Section: 2.48.145 a vendor disclosure form is attached.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This report does not impact the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
Prior to execution of the purchase order increase the vendor shall submit a business license application and pay a Business License tax as well as Administration and State fees.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve an increase of $254,862 to Purchase Order No. 2020-2145 with Social Work Action Group (SWAG) for a total purchase order amount of $549,022 for homeless services through December 31, 2021.