Title
Department of Community Response: Outreach and Engagement Center Operations Agreement [Published for 10-day Review on 11/21/2024]
End
FileID
File ID: 2024-01822
End
Location
Location: District 2, Represented by Councilmember Thao
End
Recommendation
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to: 1) execute an agreement with TLCS Inc. dba Hope Cooperative for Outreach and Engagement Center Operations in an amount not to exceed $3,145,000; and 2) transfer unspent appropriations from the Respite Centers Multi-Year Operating Project (I23002000) to the Community Response Multi-Year Operating Project (I23000100) to fund future Outreach and Engagement Center operations upon completion of the Outreach and Engagement Center agreement expiring December 31, 2024.
End
Contact
Contact: Brian Pedro, Director, (916) 808-7816, bpedro1@cityofsacramento.org, Department of Community Response
End
Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3-Hope Cooperative Outreach and Engagement Center Operations Agreement
End
Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: On July 23, 2024, Council approved the suspension of competitive bidding (item 21, 2024-01321) for Outreach and Engagement Center Operations. On July 25, 2024, DCR’s Office of Community Outreach released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Outreach and Engagement Center Operations (P2523001021002).
Outreach and Engagement Center
The Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC), located at 3615 Auburn Blvd., has been operational since early 2022. The OEC has the capacity to serve up to 75 individuals for overnight respite/daytime triage and engagement, with 25 spots specifically reserved for families. The OEC also serves as the City’s primary Weather Respite Center, with the ability to serve an additional 50 individuals during Weather Respite Activation.
The panel for the OEC RFP review consisted of three panelists from the following entities: Council District 4, DCR’s Office of Homeless Services, and a representative from a local Property Business Improvement Direct (PBID). DCR’s Office of Community Outreach received 4 proposals. Panelists were asked to rank proposals based upon the criteria listed in each section of the RFP. Below is a condensed version of questions the panelists were asked to answer.
Qualifications Summary and Organization History (18 points) - Did the applicant clearly explain their qualifications, specifically in operating a respite center, shelter, or any other interim housing facility, were their qualifications specific to providing services to the unhoused community, and is their experience local to the Sacramento region?
Capacity (20 points) - Does the applicant have a staffing plan, including a plan for 24/7 security, and is the proposed staff/client ratio appropriate?
Service Approach (24 points) - Are the services client centered, and trauma informed, integrating harm reduction practices, is case management provided, and does the applicant facilitate linkages and referrals to other community based supportive services?
Outcomes and Impact (18 points) - Is there an ability to abide by a 30% positive exit rate within 90 days of entering the program, and is there an effort to engage the nearby community?
Budget and Budget Justification (20 points) - Is the budget appropriate given the amount of people served and can the budget support individuals during Weather Respite Activation? Does the budget justification adequately support the request for funding?
LBE Preference Points (5 points) - Did the applicant qualify for the City’s LBE program?
Considering responses to the questions above, the panel selected TLCS Inc. dba Hope Cooperative (Hope Cooperative) for one year of operations at the OEC, with the option to extend for an additional four years, per Procurement guidelines.
As the current operator of the OEC, Hope Cooperative has been an important partner to DCR and the City’s Incident Management Team. The OEC serves as one of DCR’s Rapid Placement sites and the only site with the ability to host children. Upon entrance to the OEC and enrollment into the program, Hope Cooperative provides individuals with supportive items, such as clothing or personal care items, and provides one hot meal per day.
The OEC does not operate as a shelter, but rather as a positive step towards seeking assistance with either a spot at a shelter or housing, or engagement with other social services. On average, 90% of individuals leave within 30 days or less, with 44% of those exiting to a positive destination and 56% of families with minor children exiting to a positive destination, including emergency shelter. Since January 1, 2024, the OEC has served 730 clients to date, 153 of those being children under the age of 18. 50% of those who have stayed at the OEC report suffering from a mental health condition, 37% from a chronic health condition, 16% with a developmental disability and 28% from a physical disability. Relative to weather respite, the OEC has been activated 81 days so far in 2024, serving an average of 34 individuals per night.
The OEC serves those who are most vulnerable living unhoused in our community.
The OEC will continue to utilize a Good Neighbor Policy, ensuring that the surrounding community is not negatively impacted by the Program’s operations. Though not considered for points in the RFP process, Hope Cooperative received a strong letter of recommendation from the nearby Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento for their commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for individuals in both programs. Hope Cooperative will continue to host quarterly community meetings to ensure their strong partnership with the community remains.
End
PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: Sacramento City Code 3.04.020 requires Council approval
to enter into agreements that exceed $250,000.
Sacramento City Code Section 4.04.020 and Council Rules of Procedure (Chapter 7, Section E.2.d) mandate that unless waived by a 2/3 vote of the City Council, all labor agreements, and all agreements greater than $1,000,000 shall be made available to the public at least ten (10) days prior to council action. This item was published for 10-Day review on November 21, 2024, in compliance with City Code.
End
EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
End
EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: The City reviewed the original OEC project and determined it was exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review because it could be seen with certainty that no significant effects could occur as a result of project implementation. The City filed a Notice of Exemption on February 16, 2022. No substantial changes are proposed in the project. On March 28, 2023, Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-0084 confirming the exemption from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
Additional sections of this report concern administrative activities that will not have a significant effect on the environment and do not constitute a “project” as defined by the CEQA [CEQA Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(2)].
End
Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
End
Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
End
RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Services provided under this agreement address the ongoing need for supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness in the City.
End
FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Sufficient funding is available in the Community Response MYOP (I23000100) to execute an agreement with Hope Cooperative in the amount of $3,145,000 (Measure U Fund, Fund 2401) for Outreach and Engagement Center operations.
Sufficient funding is available in the Respite Centers MYOP (I23002000) to support the recommended budgetary transfer.
End
LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
End