HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2023-C35RESOLUTION NO. 2023-C35
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA
EXTENDING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY RELATING
TO HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF AZUSA
WHEREAS, California Government Code 8630, et seq., and Chapter 26 of Section 26-4
of the Azusa Municipal Code provide that the Azusa City Council (City Council) may proclaim
local emergencies; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council has been requested by the Director of Emergency Services
to proclaim the existence of a local emergency related to the number of persons experiencing
homelessness in the City of Azusa; and,
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the State’s directives to combat homelessness and
address the housing crisis, the City of Azusa (“City”) has designated significant resources to
address homelessness in the City, but the threat to life and property remains at stake beyond the
control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this City, requiring the combined
forces of other political subdivisions to combat this crisis; and
WHEREAS, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the City has
drastically increased over the last decade.
WHEREAS, the City’s annual point-in-time homeless count conducted through the Los
Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) shows significant increase in the homeless
population since the Metro L Line stations in Azusa (Azusa Downtown and APU/Citrus) were put
into service in 2016; and
WHEREAS, all City Departments have encountered or experienced a rise in concerns
related to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, seeking services in or
around the Azusa community; and
WHEREAS, the Azusa Police Department has experienced an increase in calls related to
the growing homeless population in both commercial and residential areas of the City, including
violent crimes, theft, trespassing, and property damage; and
WHEREAS, the Code Enforcement Division has reported an increase in homeless related
calls for service including encampments, abandoned belongings, encroachment on property or
public right of way; and
WHEREAS, the City has dedicated significant resources and funding toward safety and
security measures, including security monitoring cameras and uniformed unarmed security
services in public facilities and parks; and
WHEREAS, the City’s economic vitality is further challenged as local small businesses
are directly impacted by the crisis and the commercial corridor struggles to attract new businesses’
and
WHEREAS, the City desires to reduce risk of damage to facilities and infrastructure
critical to the functions and operation of the City including emergency response; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the City’s continued commitment to addressing the
homeless crisis, including dedication of Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act,
implementation of a Homeless Action Plan, and investments into homelessness solutions,
programs, and initiatives, an emergency declaration is necessary to mobilize resources, faster and
with urgency, for the public health, welfare, and safety of all; and
WHEREAS, the City’s ability to mobilize local resources, coordinate interagency
response, accelerate procurement of housing units, use mutual aid, and seek assistance and
potential reimbursement by the State and Federal governments will be critical to successfully
responding to this homelessness crisis; and
WHEREAS, on June 5, 2023, the City declared a local emergency and adopted Resolution
No. 2023-C27 proclaiming the existence of a local emergency related to the impacts of the
homelessness crisis; and
WHEREAS, Government Code section 8630(c) requires the governing body to review the
need for continuing the local emergency at least every 60 days until the governing body terminates
the local emergency;
WHEREAS, the City Council does hereby find the following:
That the above recitals are true and correct and based thereon, hereby finds that the
sustained increase in the homeless population continues to pose an imminent and
proximate threat to the safety of persons and property within the City of Azusa; and
1.
That these conditions are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel,
equipment, and facilities of the City of Azusa; and
2.
That these conditions of extreme peril warrant and necessitate the extension of the
proclamation of the existence of a local emergency.
3.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT TS HEREBY PROCLAIMED that a local emergency
continues to exists throughout the City of Azusa in accordance with the proclamation adopted by
the City Council on June 5, 2023 (Resolution No. 2023-C27).
IT IS FURTHER HEREBY PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that:
That the above recitals are true and correct and based thereon, hereby finds that the
homeless crisis, exasperated by lack of affordable housing and other socio-economic conditions,
impairs the public health safety within the City of Azusa and constitutes conditions of extreme
peril to the safety of persons and property within the City of Azusa; and
1.
That these conditions are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel,
equipment, and facilities of the City of Azusa; and
2.
That the conditions of extreme peril waiTant and necessitate the extension of the
proclamation of the existence of a local emergency.
IT IS FURTHER HEREBY PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that a local emergency
continues to exists throughout the City of Azusa; and
IT IS HEREBY FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the
continued threatened existence and actual existence of the loeal emergency, the powers, functions
and duties of the Director of Emergency Services and the emergency organization of the City shall
be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances and resolutions of the City and approved by the
City Council.
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that a copy of this Resolution be
forwarded to the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, to be forwarded to the
Director of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, requesting that the Director find
it acceptable in accordance with State law; and that the Governor issue a proclamation declaring
an emergency in Los Angeles County; that the Governor waive regulations that may hinder
response and recovery efforts; that recovery assistance be made available under the California
Disaster Assistance Act; and that the State expedite access to Stale and Federal resources and any
other appropriate federal disaster relief programs; and
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that said local emergency shall be
deemed to continue to exist until its termination is proclaimed by the City Council of the City of
Azusa, State of California.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 17^'’ day of July, 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF AZUSA
)
) ss.
)
I HEREBY CERTIEY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2023-C35 was duly adopted by
the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting held on the 17th day of July, 2023, by
the following vote of the Council:
COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, BECKWITH, ALVAREZ, AVILA, MENDEZ
COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
:nce
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Marcoj Martinez ^
City Attorney Best Best & Kriegcr, LLP
I