DATE: May 26, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with Selma Community Outreach Ministries for Homeless Shelter Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Selma Community Outreach Ministries for Homeless Shelter Services in eastern Fresno County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective May 8, 2020 which includes a 60-day base contract and six optional 30-day extensions, total not to exceed $529,672.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services to provide homeless shelter services including meals and security for up to 60 eligible individuals to shelter in the Super 8 Motel (Motel) in the City of Selma (City), coordinated through Selma Community Outreach Ministries (SelmaCOM) due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The services will be funded with Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended action, there will be a no shelter-based services available to individuals experiencing homelessness and needing to shelter-in-place in Selma.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The COVID-19 pandemic requires immediate action to provide emergency shelter services to the County’s vulnerable unsheltered homeless population. The recommended agreement is retroactive to May 8, 2020, when SelmaCOM began providing services at the request of the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the recommended agreement ($529,672) will be offset with CDBG-CV funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues have been included in the Department’s CDBG Homelessness Special Revenue Fund Org 1135 and the Department’s Org 7001 FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget and if necessary, will be included in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget request. There are no pending invoices at this time.
DISCUSSION:
On March 15, 2020, the County’s Emergency Services Director/County Administrative Officer proclaimed a local emergency related to COVID-19. On March 17, 2020, your Board ratified the proclamation of a local emergency related to COVID-19. The Department has received guidance from the State and Federal government regarding aiding unsheltered homeless and those living in large shelter settings who are particularly susceptible to COVID-19. The Department recognizes the need to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and implement measures to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to safe and adequate shelter during this time.
SelmaCOM has provided services in the City since 2014, which have included referrals to housing, emergency shelter for families through hotel stays, food distribution, hot meals, and mobile showers. Through the provision of these services, SelmaCOM developed knowledge of and a connection with the unsheltered homeless population in the City, the surrounding area in eastern Fresno County and a working relationship with the Motel located in the City. SelmaCOM will place eligible unsheltered homeless individuals in reserved rooms at the Motel, enabling persons experiencing homelessness to shelter-in-place within their community and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The placement of eligible individuals, including those experiencing homelessness who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, will be coordinated through SelmaCOM. In addition, SelmaCOM will prepare and provide two meals per day, evening staff and security on site to ensure individuals remain in their rooms and sheltered during the pandemic for their safety and that of the community. In addition, two California Office of Emergency Services travel trailers located in the Motel parking lot will be used by SelmaCOM to isolate individuals that are symptomatic.
With your Board’s approval, the recommended agreement will be retroactive to May 8, 2020, the date services began to be provided through SelmaCOM. The agreement may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day advance written notice.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with SelmaCOM
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa