Recommendation to Approve Sending a Letter to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Endorsing Implementation of Assembly Bill (AB) 1421 (Laura’s Law).  (City Manager 2110)
Recommendation to approve sending a letter to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors endorsing Implementation of Assembly Bill 1421. Laura's Law. We have a speaker on this. Okay. Doug Fix. Good evening, Madam Mayor. Members of the City Council. My name is Doug Biggs. I'm here tonight as president of the Social Service Human Relations Board. The Social Service Human Relations Board did meet and consider an endorsement of implementing Laura's Law in Alameda County. And we we did choose to support that. And we're requesting that the city council also endorse implementing Laura's Law in a pilot phase here in Alameda County. As Mr. Wet pointed out, there's a great need for this law here. The police at this time have a really blunt instrument to use in 5150, which are mandatory holdings up to 72 hours. I checked before I came here in the last seven days. There's been over two dozen 5150s in Alameda alone. A lot of those are repeat fliers, frequent fliers. I every day, not every day, but every week I witness, you know, the impacts of 51, 50 out where I work. And I could tell you that sometimes those folks that are taking in get back to Alameda before the police do. The police that took them up there, 5150 is not a treatment option. It's an imprisonment option. Laura's Law provides for assisted outpatient treatment, which is a process that allows courts to compel individuals with mental illness and a past history of arrest or violence to stay in treatment as a condition for living in the community. Assisted outpatient treatment is a proven evidence based treatment by SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration of the federal government. Laura's Law was passed in California, but it's left to the local counties to implement it in counties where it has been implemented, both in California and other states, because 42 other states have shown leadership on this and have already implemented it and are seeing results in California, hospitalization in counties where it was, it was implemented, hospitalization was reduced by 46%, incarceration reduced by 65%. In New York, where it's also been implemented, reducing physical harm to others was reduced by 47%. This is treatment we're talking about. This is an outpatient treatment where where the person can still have some connection with their community. It's not imprisonment. It's a proven practice. It's in our best interest as a community that has to deal with 5150 on a constant basis to find not an imprisonment solution, but a treatment solution. And this is what it is. I do hope you move forward tonight and endorse implementation of Laura's Law in Alameda County and that you urge the Board of Supervisors to act on that as soon as possible. Thank you very much. Thank you. Do you have any other speakers on this item? And Brody. Thank you. I have a question. The staff who are the supervisors in favor and who seem to be against? We know that. Supervisor Chan is in favor and permits to it. Supervisor Smiley answers in favor. Thank you. Any discussions? Well. Rushkoff Yeah. I pulled this from the consent calendar because I read the the staff report and then I emailed Miss Wooldridge because she'd written the staff report and I had a number of questions among them, you know, why if this piece of legislation that was implemented in was enacted in 2000 to have only ten or maybe 12 of 58 California counties chosen to enact it. And I would have liked a little more information about. Numbers and what results have actually been seen. So I did reach out to some staff from the County Board of Supervisors. And what I learned and this is what concerns me, first of all, there is no dispute that there is a need for more mental illness. And to Mr. Witt, I knew your father in law well, and it was a very sad situation that I don't think any of us can really imagine unless we've experienced it yourself. But if you're a parent, you can only imagine the pain that you would feel for your child in a situation like that , as well as anyone harmed by your child. And but I wanted to know, why was the board of Supervisors not not passing this? Because it came before them two years ago. And what I was told is that this was a very controversial measure from the start among the mental health provider community, even among the families. But it's not unusual for a a difficult situation to not have, you know, 100% buy in. But the what the board of Supervisors asked to have done when this issue came before them two years ago, was for there to be a study group. So it was chaired by the behavioral health care services of the county, and they came up late last year with this report re-envisioning engagement AB 1421 Stakeholder Planning Response and Implementation Plan. And what the 11 different points that are, are or suggestions that are made do is the summary is that it focuses on increasing capacity across the system and expanding programs with a sharp focus on creating intentional linkages for consumers and families with these who need these services and community supports. This was presented to the supervisors earlier this year. It was pulled from the agenda by one of the supervisors and it hasn't come back before them. And at the very least, I and I was told that this implementation doesn't have a chance of passing at the Board of Supervisors. I don't pretend to get into those weeds, but what I would at least like the council to consider and you know, maybe if this were to come back that we could somehow supplement it with . I just would like the council to know what the Board of Supervisors has actually seen as a way to supplement this implementation, because at some point this may get back before the the supervisors and I was told that what Alameda County among these 11 steps that are recommended is envisioning doing is more akin to what the city of San Francisco is doing. They have a community conservatorship. And there's also the mental health court and the judge there, I'm told, Judge Brosnahan, has said that we can do what needs to be done through the mental health courts. So at least I think we should be endorsing all possible avenues because we you know, we certainly have these kinds of cases in our community, as does the rest of the county. But anyway, I. I want to see something done. I want to see it done effectively using the resources in the most efficient manner. So I think we should also encourage the the supervisors to consider this stakeholder report that they ordered that was done over the course of, I think, four or five months. And it was a facilitated process involving mental health providers, family members, the representatives of the sheriff's department and the public defender, family members, service providers, as well as consumers, the actual people who are in need of these services. So if there was a way that we could somehow amend this recommendation to consider both implementing AB 1421 and or this stakeholder planning response and implement implementation plan, I could certainly support that. The other council members comments or motion. In America? Yes, Vice Mayor. I think the gist of our letter is that the laws on the books and we'd like it to be implemented. We're not telling them how to implement it. I think they've already started that process. And this is our urging them to. They basically follow the state law and we have examples of this in our community. And I want to make the motion that. Support or approve the recommendation to send the letter on behalf of the city endorsing. AB 1421. And just for clarity, the law actually leaves it to each county to decide whether to implement. And that's why, you know, only a handful of counties. Have a motion. I'll second that motion. Any other discussion? Yes. I'd like to offer a quick comment. In reviewing the information that's presented to us. It looks like there is a number of credible leaders in this, particularly on this matter, who want to see action done. It seems, though, I think the necessity of the law is well understood, like no other city other than Berkeley. I think we here in Alameda feel special desire to see, at least speaking for myself, feel special desire to see this implemented sooner rather than later. And I have to believe that the process has been place where a variety of issues and a variety and a number of stakeholders have been involved. Can we involve even more stakeholders to get even greater consensus? That's possible, but I think we're at a point now where we're we're ready for action. We don't want to see something that happened, not just to the Cougar family in Berkeley, but also to the dimwit family whose family we hold in high esteem. With the contributions, especially of former council member Abdi Witt, father in law and of misty wit, as well as father of Mr. Wit and grandfather. Young Mr.. So I'm ready to vote and moving this forward. I'd like to speak real quick, if that's all right. Could you clarify, was this passed by the people in 2002 that. I think was passed by the legislature? In 2002. That. Was passed by the California state legislature in. 2002. Thank you very much. All right. So I'd like to speak to that 2002. We are now in 2015. It's my understanding Alameda County has one of the highest, if not the highest rate of 5150s. The current system. Based upon that, at least in Alameda County not working. We need to step up. We got to try something different. And and this is a I'm ready. I plan to support this. I think it's extremely unfortunate. And I would actually say wrong that counties have not stepped up. I think this actually should have been not opt in, but mandatory. When you are failing society, action must be taken. You can change it if it if it's not working. But you got to try something. We can tell you what's happening now is not working. So I plan to support this. And Mayor, I'm actually going to join you in supporting it with the caveat that it might not pass the supervisors. And then I hope that at least the the other implementation plan will and you know, like so many things, it's not simple and it's not black and white, because what was explained to me is that even though this is involuntary, the once the person is brought in, they can't be made to stay in the treatment. They can't be made to take their medications. And so this other one is not no one was saying, oh, this law is, you know, wrong headed. They're just saying, let's look at the processes we already have in place and strengthen them. But this is at the supervisors level. I mean, I don't it's not a bad thing to support, but it may come down to. I requested to be put on the agenda. I understood the imperative that we step up. I think it's imperative that this go that our supervisors step up. 13 years is too long. Any other comment? All those in favor I motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Next agenda item. Six eight. Présentation on the City of Alameda Homeless survey by the Social Service Human Relations Board. This point is the point. This. And we solve all the problems. Yeah, that's the magic moment. You want to push a button to? I know, I. And you're now. Time for an update on the score. Yeah. Anybody have the score? Who's watching? Do you want to score and still up 5442 at halftime. I just kind of that came to me. For those of you that don't know. The Warriors playoff game is going on as we're sitting here and say the score again. Member Ashcraft. What did they just say? 5442 at the half. Warriors are leading. Yes. And I'm clairvoyant city attorney that. Thought I could make it. Do folks have a personal screen? Yeah. Okay. And on the projector, I. To the fans on our screen. You don't know that. Is it too late to add that to the budget? No, I. Can't. But is this, like, keep coming down and if I go too long, I know. And. It's going to. So we're waiting for the projector to help us out. China is going to save us. Those of you that are watching us from home. Yeah. It's happening. Yeah. Yeah. I'm trying to make this as fast as I can to get out. But you have to start, right? Well, if you have a printed format, I suppose you can put it there then. You borrow it? You want to do that? Oh, well. No. Well, I don't think I can protect acting at all and project from the table. Like no light. Coming out of the. Projector. Right. Oh, regardless. Okay. You have it in your screen to life. It is. Only used. But it means it is. On our screens. But if the audience can't see, it is correct. Something's coming up. Here we go. Up the. Oak area. Okay. All right. Please proceed, Mr. Biggs. That's the first time I've been cheered, and I don't think that was. Good evening. My name is Doug Biggs. I'm president of the Social Service Human Relations Board. And I'm delighted tonight to present results of a homeless survey that the board led the effort on. That was conducted on September 24th, 2014. And I guess I have to work this thing going, okay. So the goals of the count were to kind of begin understanding the breadth and diversity of homelessness in Alameda and to begin looking at gaps in services for the homeless in Alameda. And I really have to thank member Ashcraft who led the effort on really bringing this together to begin with. There was some question she had around the condition of homeless and the the breadth of homelessness in Alameda that prompted us to take a look at it. So the process was that we divided the city into six sectors and we developed and we actually put quite a bit of lot of thought into the interview questions we would ask. We started with a number of counties. In fact, every county in the country does a homeless count if they get HUD funding. And we started with that questionnaire and then narrowed it down because that questionnaire is, quite frankly, about 35 pages long and could take up to a half hour to complete. And we didn't have that skills expertize. Plus we only wanted information that was really useful to us. One of the very unique aspects of our program and also something we put a lot of thought into is we had backpacks to distribute to whoever we met. And I want to thank Jim, friend of city staff and who staff to the shrub of of helping to put that together the backpacks included some food included included some basic necessities such as toiletries, socks. It also included bus passes so people could get to appointments that included phone cards and it included resource books about services that would be available. So the the districts that were created or the or the sectors that were created spanned from Alameda point out to Bay Farm Island. And each sector had a team of volunteers that did counting in that area. The volunteers were made up of community members, Alameda Police Department, other staff, Alameda Police Department volunteers and policing elected officials. Again, we're very thrilled to have our Mayor Spencer join us for the Count and Councilmember Ashcraft also join us for the Count. And we had staff from the County of Alameda Housing Department who were getting ready to lead their own homeless count that came out to see what they could assist us with in helping us. And then each member of Shrub also took a role as a leader of one of the teams. So we met very early in the morning prior to going out. The idea was to get out there right at sunrise and we did a briefing of the volunteers. Each volunteer was was very clearly identified as a volunteer to assist with homeless information. We had the assistant, the Alameda Police Department, and I can't say this enough. Alameda is so extremely fortunate to have on its police force a woman like Elisa Ledbetter, who on her own leading up to this has put together an amazing number of resources to assist people with mental disabilities, the homeless that she encounters. The police in general were a wealth of information on where we should we should be looking protocols for contacting, to making sure that both we were safe and the people we were contacting were safe. They just did a wonderful job on this. Plus, they recruited a number of volunteers. So we we we divided up the teams and made sure everybody was filled up with coffee and gave last minute instructions to each of the teams as to where you would be going to go over their questionnaire real briefly and then head out. And again, this is Officer Ledbetter, who can't say enough about her. So the findings of the survey were that we identified the 17 people as being homeless. Of that number, eight were interviewed and an additional nine were observed but were not interviewed. This was this was an anecdotal study versus an empirical study. If you do the county count, they have a lot of algorithms that they throw into the fig data more realistic. This was really literally feet on the ground with our eyes in some cases. You know, it's a little intimidating to approach somebody and say, are you homeless and ask those questions? So we may not have captured all the data. We weren't really trying to we were just trying to get a little baseline, a little bit of an understanding of where we're at. And we found two very interesting things. Of the eight that were interviewed, five indicated they were chronically homeless. That is, that continuously homeless for a year or more or homeless more than four times over a three year period. Among this group, mental health issues seemed apparent. And just to give you an example, we had one gentleman who had been dropped off here by his brother from, I believe, Arizona, and he had no spatial recognition ability. He had no sense of direction. He had been to the food bank once. He had left the island of Alameda. He'd been to the food bank once, but had never been able to find it again. So he stayed where he was and really relied on other people to bring him things. The Alameda Food Bank was I'm sorry, another important issue that three of the eight indicated they are veterans. And we had very specific information to hand out to veterans to get them hooked up with the Veteran Homeless Initiative. The Alameda Food Bank was used by four of the eight individuals, and several also mentioned that they'd use hospital and emergency services repeated times. What I think is really important of the eight people that were interviewed for who listed Alameda as their last permanent address. So they were living here as residents before they became homeless. So the next steps in this is actually I'm go to number two to begin with is to bring back the homeless count for a follow up count. We want to repeat this. So the more often we repeat it, the more the better information we get. So we are planning on doing another count in late July or early August, and we hope that some folks will join us for that. We also want to convene an interdepartmental meeting of some of the city departments to talk about some of the needs and an impact on homelessness in the context of future development. There's things we do, whether it's Parkland development or whatnot, that can either encourage or support homeless or discourage and move them out. And there's discussion to be had on both sides. But I think we need to go into it with an understanding of what are the consequences on the homeless of whatever policy actions we take. And of course, the last was was to continue working with the police department to improve protocols around the provision of resources, housing brochure, encountering homeless. And I can report to you that as recently as this week, when the police went out to the Sweeny Parkland and to do a clearing action, they took with them the backpacks we had prepared. And of the five people that were left there, because they've been for the last month, they've been going out there saying, you've got to move on, you've got to move on. They've been supporting these people in their efforts to move. And again, Officer Leadbitter has been out there with her resources. Five people were left and each of those five got a backpack with with bus passes and the calling cards and foods and socks. So there's already a lot of initiative underway between social services and the police department and not you know, this isn't a punishment action. It's a resource action to help direct people in the in the direction of the right resources. And that's my report. And I'd be glad to entertain any questions you may have. Member Ashcraft First of all, thank you for that report and also for for all of your efforts. I agree with you that Officer Elisha Ledbetter is a rock star when it comes to this, but so are you. Because when I raised the question with you last more than a year ago, you right away said, okay, let's let's walk Webster Street and let's, you know, pick a time to do that. And we walked up one side and down the other and it was really touching to see we did encounter some individuals and very touching to see Mr. Biggs and how non-threatening and respectful and low key his manner of speaking and eliciting information. Not everybody wanted our help, but I also wanted to just add that that day that we went out was a day kind of like yesterday we had rain, remember rain, and it had rained overnight. And so things were a little damp. So even when we showed up to get organized for the count, I know we were told some people head indoors. They find in a shelter somewhere under a roof when it's raining. So the count might have been a little low as a result of that. And I'm glad that you mentioned the encampment that was recently cleared out at the the site of the Jean Sweeney Beltline Park Open Space Park that we're developing, because it isn't just I read the local online news sites, Michelle Allison site and someone made the comment that, oh, the police just tell the homeless to move along, not Alameda PD. They don't. They had, as Mr. Biggs indicated, the backpacks that are full of not only some supplies but resources. And they can get you to where you need to go if you need the food bank or you need, you know, medical care or you need some rapid rehousing. And there was also a comment on the story that Michelle Allison did on her site. And someone mentioned seeing a family at the pizza at Nob Hill Market. You can think of where that is and that they appeared to be homeless. They were heating their dinner in a microwave and wasn't a shame that, you know, but if the police had come, they probably would have shooed them away. And I emailed the police chief, O'Leary, and said, did you see that comment? Because trust me, he reads those, too. And he said he did. And no, no, no. If so, this is just for the public and anyone listening. If you see a situation that looks like a family or an individual in need of assistance, you can call the police department the non-emergency number, tell them what you're seeing, where you're seeing it, and they will send an officer out to assist. So I checked that with the police chief when I read that comment. But anyway, thank you for all the work you're doing. We look forward to the next steps in this process. Thank you. And if I could just add, and I think I do have to say this, I saw that same comment and also prior to the first count I comment about, well, there were people barbecuing down at Crab Cove that, look, homeless people have a right to barbecue in our parks. People have a right to go shopping in the shopping centers and purchase items and heat them up. They may not necessarily be hot, not all. They may look different for you. They may be homeless. And it's okay to ask if their services that they need. Uh, member, Odie. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr. Briggs. For. For all you do. You're one of the pillars of our community that, you know, take care of the people that are are least fortunate. And we really appreciate, you know, all of your hard work. I mean, I do I think I speak for the council. Just a couple of quick questions. So when we go back and we do this other count, are we doing kind of a census where, you know, we keep track? You know, is this someone we counted last time? You know, when we talk to that person, did they need services, you know, almost and almost like case management? I don't know if, you know, we have the resources to do that, but no. Are we doing that or are we are we able to tell in our next count? Are these folks that are new to alamy this homeless population or I mean, just things like that? I was just curious. We are going to attempt to see if there's there's any repeats from people we interviewed before. A number of the interviews, folks that we interviewed for last time I had notes on, in some cases I was able to because some of them already had case management in other jurisdictions that they were working with. So I was able to contact that case management. They're not able to share information with me. It's a one way, you know, hey, we met this person. Just want to make sure they're they're doing stuff. So we'll follow up if we do meet somebody that is a repeat from last year will definitely ask a question about what services they've they've are taking off since then. And you have the program where, you know, homeless veterans over at the collaborative government are. Were you able to help any of the if there was, what, three, three veterans Operation Dignity operates those those units? Our understanding is they were already tied in with services to some extent. And I know that since that time there's been a huge influx of vet services. So I want to follow up and see if they've they've been reached. Okay. And thanks again for everything you do. You're you're welcome. Everyday. Just two points. First point is thank you very much to Councilmember Marilyn as the Ashcraft for bringing this to the fore and also a thank you to Councilmember Ashcraft and Mayor Spencer for taking part. So we'll have to step up as well. Next time you have your count. And I mean that seriously, because this is an important and this leads me to the second point is that, you know, for the city of Alameda to be as proactive as we are, particularly you, the council members here, I think is a great reflection of how far we've come. Way back in 1994, you know, we were dealing with the homeless issue, but perhaps and in antagonistic ways. And out of that came. Amendment to the McKinney Act. And it really started here in Alameda. But, you know, through the collaborative homeless collaborative, Alameda Point Collaborative, you know, I think our community has done a sea change in terms of what its responsibility is with regard to those who are the most vulnerable. But we're not going to just build housing for those who can afford the highest market rate rents or for sale prices. But I think as staff and as council working with our community, we will also make sure to. Do what we can for those who are most vulnerable. I would be remiss also if I didn't say this was a this is a project of the entire shrub. Every member was very actively involved here in the morning state after work to help crunch the data. So this was this was a truly a whole commission effort. I swear I appreciate the diligence and particularly put in next steps after having the experience. There are a couple of things that I wanted perhaps to address to staff through through this board, if people are interested. And it's one thing to to live in a park. But we had the issue of the event abandoned the vacant buildings that are on the point that are attractive nuisances to young people. I'm afraid that they can be places where people who are leaving June 20 park might look for shelter and. I do not want to us to be reading that someone has died there. There's a fire there because of another encampment inside. And I'm hoping we can address removing those buildings. And at the same time, I think looking at the the means that we might have, not just in Alameda but through the county or state, is kind of a next step of where we put a roof over the heads of people who. What avail themselves to it and in a shortage of space that we have now, and how do we add to that to address it? Because I think in the next count, we'll probably see that the numbers are bigger. And that's just what I've observed over the last year. West side of Alameda. But it's my understanding that the point is on the parking lot and we'll be coming back. But we will be hearing from staff on that issue. I was just saying. Just go ahead. It's just to. Is there a way that we can accelerate? Is there a money in the Alameda Point budget to address what's an attractive nuisance but now that people are being moved out. Of in Sweeney Park. I mean, we there were five that were remaining, but there were others there. What are we going to do about that? And can we do it sooner than waiting until September when we talk about the parking lot? Right. So we do not meet during August. I was going to come back number. But the problem is now. I think at least for the buildings out at Alameda Point, part of that process is looking at sort of doing an inventory of that and making sure that we understand which buildings need to come down and then get a cost estimate to take them down and then sort of triage them to make sure, because we may not be able to afford to take them all down at once. So there is some planning that we need to do before we just sort of say, okay, yeah, we're going to do that. So we will absolutely do it as quickly as we can. Just a clarification, Mr. Madame. Is that part of the study that Public Works is doing? This is separate and apart and separate. Okay. Got it. And then just a question for Mr. Biggs. And we talked about this a couple of times about the need for rapid rehousing, but often using countywide or regional resources to maximize resources. I mean, I know we have we have a women's shelter in there, but do you can you just touch on that? So. Sure. So some of the resources. That as far as rapid rehousing goes, which is the whole idea of keeping people from becoming homeless first, the county, the boomerang fund. Which is the whole complex we all get into, but it's money that's coming back through the dissolution of redevelopment. They put a significant amount of funds from that. They could have gone into the general fund. They're putting it into rapid rehousing, building a future for women and children, which operates Midway Shelter is also the regional provider, including the City of Alameda for Rapid Rehousing Funds, and they also have some money, CDBG funds from the city for that as well. So they've really gone out of their way to make sure that Alameda serve through rapid rehousing. I will say, though, that the chronically homeless, the ones we're seeing out there, require the highest level. They need permanent supportive housing, which is what we operate out of at Alameda Point. But you know, the good side of it is if we can find some way to get seven, eight permanent supportive housing units, we have solved homelessness for all practical purposes in Alameda. You're always going to have people moving through. But for the chronically homeless, these guys who have been living in the wharves, under the wharves for the last five years. You could provide a permanent solution for them. Though we're close. We could be really close on that. So I'd like to share my experience going out that morning we left. My recollection is 6 a.m. or something like that. It was early. It was in the dark. When we met here, we teamed up. My partner and I were assigned an area, I think by South Shore, walking along the waterfront to Crab Cove. And we came we found only one person and the person we found actually by the time we we saw him, he was watching the sunrise and we spoke with him. And he was my recollection is he was a vet, but he had lived in this area previously. This is where he felt comfortable and he was very appreciative of the bag. He really did appreciate us giving him the bag. He was actually. You know, comfortable chatting with us. And I got the impression that that's actually where he feels comfortable, is there at Crab Cove, which, by the way, is where I feel comfortable, which if I chose that area, I run there in the morning and it's a beautiful place to live. However, of course, it's a serious issue. And, you know, reaching out to him, going out in these teams. I'm hoping, you know, it'd be great to have more community members join us whenever this data set. And we do team up in pairs. And it's it's actually a really good experience as someone that's out there trying to help our community members. Thank you to share that. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. So we just. This is the presentation. We don't vote on this. Yeah. The 6 p.m.. Public hearing to consider collection of delinquent business license, taxes and delinquent integrated waste management accounts via the property tax bills.