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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-3 Staff Report - Workinggroup Homeless ReportSCHEDULED ITEM E-3 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER DATE: JUNE 21, 2021 SUBJECT: REPORT ON NORTH SAN GABRIEL RIVER WORKING GROUP AND DISCUSSION IN REGARDS TO ONGOING SAFETY CONCERNS RELATED TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN THE RIVERBED AND SERVICES PROVIDED AT LARIO PARK BACKGROUND: On September 21, 2020, the Azusa City Council appointed Mayor Gonzales and Councilmember Alvarez to work with neighboring cities, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and interested groups, to address homelessness in the riverbed, temporary housing, and other available resources. On September 30, 2020, the City of Azusa held the first meeting that included representatives from the cities of Irwindale and Duarte. The group known as the North San Gabriel River Working Group, subsequently met on October 28, 2020, February 24, 2021, April 21, 2021 and most-recently on May 26, 2021. During their last meeting, the group decided to forgo meeting in June and instead asked all three cities to bring before their respective Councils’ an agenda item to discuss the need to identify resources within each jurisdiction to facilitate clearing of the riverbed and terminating the services being offered at Lario Park due to continuing fire concerns, unsanitary conditions and ongoing criminal activity. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions: 1)Discuss and provide direction to Azusa’s representatives to the North San Gabriel River Working Group. ANALYSIS: Much like the State and Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley has seen a tremendous increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. Azusa’s numbers dramatically increased after 2016, when Gold Line service began in Azusa. In coordination with Los Angeles County, each city participates in an annual Point in Time (PIT) count and our city’s results are listed below: APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 6/21/2021Direction provided North San Gabriel River Working Group June 21, 2021 Page 2 Point in Time (PIT) count results by year: 2016: 58 2017: 120 2018: 140 2019: 351 2020: 243 2021: *Count was not conducted due to COVID The City of Azusa has appropriately increased the number of services available to those experiencing homelessness. One program that has been recognized regionally as a model program for bridging service providers and patrons is Neighborhood Connections. This program was established in 2015 and has expanded services through Measure H. With additional funding, the Library is able to provide a community-wide program that includes a Community Resources Specialist (Social Worker), a Housing Navigator, a Diversion Program and Housing Displacement Response plan, and funding for outreach and encampment clean up. In addition to and in coordination with Neighborhood Connections, the Azusa Police Department participates in the Homeless Assistance Liaison Officer (HALO) program. Collateral duty officers are responsible for addressing homeless issues within the City of Azusa. In addition to handling outreach and enforcement activities, these officers coordinate efforts with the businesses community and property owners, and collaborate with city staff to find solutions. In addition to HALO, the Azusa Police Department also participates in the Homeless Outreach Service Teams (HOST) program. However, the programs, services and impacts related to those experiencing homelessness are not confined to city streets, parks and to the business community. In recent years, there has been growing concern with the increase in fires and criminal activity in the riverbed and Lario Park. In the last 18 months alone, Los Angeles County Fire has responded to more than 70 fires. Two of the largest fires in recent history happened last year (Ranch 2 and Bobcat). The Azusa Police Department made an arrest of an individual believed to have set the fire intentionally. Both fires required a lot of resources to put out and forced evacuations of several communities. Apart from fire danger, violent criminal activity continues to be of-great concern. In the first six months of 2021 there were 98 calls for service in the riverbed. 28 of those calls were outreach operations and extra patrols, however the majority were calls requiring police response. Among those calls for service were disturbing/suspicious subject calls, suspicious vehicles, a person with a gun, battery investigations, and an assault with a deadly weapon. Several arrests have been made. However, officers are regularly having to respond to the riverbed. While within Azusa city limits, the riverbed is owned by the federal government and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). This makes it private property, therefore, those setting up camp are technically trespassing. Although the number of encampments have decreased over the years, clearing encampments requires a tremendous amount of coordination, effort and funding. Lario Park is also within the limits of the City of Azusa. The land is also owned by the federal government and through a lease from ACE, it is managed and operated by Los Angeles County. In recent years, the County has made more services available at the park. In coordination with other County departments and nonprofit organizations, those living in the riverbed have access to food, showers, mental health and other services. North San Gabriel River Working Group June 21, 2021 Page 3 To clear the riverbed and terminate services at Lario Park requires a discussion about shelter and/or housing for those who will be displaced. The North San Gabriel River Working Group is asking each participating city to report back after each City Council has had an opportunity to discuss and provide recommendations. The next meeting will likely take place during the month of July, hosted by the City of Irwindale. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact with this report. Prepared by: Sergio Gonzalez City Manager