DATE: April 27, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreements with WestCare California, Inc. and Jay Sai, DBA Super 8
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with WestCare California, Inc., for Homeless Shelter Wraparound Services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective March 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021, total not to exceed $134,494; and,
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Jay Sai, DBA Super 8 Motel for emergency shelter beds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective March 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021, total not to exceed $155,090.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services to continue to provide homeless shelter services for individuals Super 8 Motel in the City of Selma (Selma) with monitoring and housing navigation services provided by WestCare California, Inc. (WestCare). This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended actions, shelter-based services available to individuals experiencing homelessness in Selma would end.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreements were previously executed by the Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division for the period of November 2020 through February 28, 2021. In February 2021, the Department determined there remained a need for continued shelter services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic through June 30, 2021 to allow sufficient time for transition to a permanent housing solution. Due to the short time frame in which the continued funding was made available, and to ensure continuity of services, there was insufficient time to complete the Board agreements prior to February 28, 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum cost ($289,584) for the agreements with WestCare ($134,494) and the Super 8 ($155,090) will be offset with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Coronavirus (CV) funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget for the Department of Social Services Org 5610. The March 2021 expenses for these services are pending and total approximately $101,992.
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 received guidance from the state and federal government regarding aiding unsheltered homeless and those living in large shelter settings who are susceptible to COVID-19. The Department recognized the need to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines and implemented measures to ensure that people experiencing homelessness were provided access to safe and adequate shelter.
In May 2020, individuals experiencing homelessness in eastern Fresno County were sheltered in 30 rooms at the Super 8 motel in Selma and provided wraparound services, that included guest monitoring and meal service, by Selma Community Outreach Ministries.
In November 2020, the wraparound services transitioned to WestCare to assist households in their transition to permanency. With the need for continued services, these agreements, previously executed as Purchasing Agreements (P-20-477 with Super 8, and P-20-481 with WestCare), are now being brought to your Board for approval.
In March 2021, WestCare began to ramp down services in preparation for this project to come to a close. As individuals began transitioning to permanent housing solutions, the vacated rooms are released. Beginning April 2021, the room occupancy was reduced by seven and will continue to reduce monthly until June. By June 30, 2021, remaining occupants will be transitioned to other shelters.
With your Board’s approval, the recommended agreements will be retroactive to March 1, 2021, the date services under the Purchasing Agreements ended. The agreements may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day advance written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #58, May 26, 2020
BAI #2, March 17, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with WestCare
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Super 8
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa