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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10a - Proposed Health Commission DATE: March 7, 2023 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager SUBJECT: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE CREATION OF A CITY HEALTH COMMISSION CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Provide Direction SUMMARY At the January 17, 2023, City Council Meeting, Councilmember Cao received support to place the discussion of a City Health Commission on a future City Council Agenda. This agenda item will expand on the idea of a creating a City Health Commission and allow the City Council to have a full discussion and provide direction. The presentation will review existing City boards and commissions including their purpose, origin, and operations. Other background information will include the economic impact of the health care industry in Arcadia and the availability of health care resources, providers, and facilities that currently exist in the community. The presentation will include a proposed purpose and scope of work for the Health Commission, further clarifying the purview of this group and the suggested membership. It is recommended that the City Council provide direction regarding the formation of a City Health Commission. BACKGROUND Several campaigns during the Fall 2022 election cycle included the goal of increasing health outcomes in the community. At the January 17, 2023, City Council Meeting, Councilmember Cao received support to place the discussion of a City Health Commission on a future City Council Agenda. This staff presentation and agenda item was developed in partnership with Councilmember Cao to help illustrate his vision for a City Health Commission. City boards and commissions have been authorized both through the Arcadia City Charter and by City Council Resolution. Currently, there are seven City Boards and Presentation, Discussion, and Direction – City Health Commission March 7, 2023 Page 2 of 3 Commissions, which include the Arcadia Beautiful Commission; the Arcadia Museum Commission; the Human Resources Commission; the Library Board of Trustees; the Planning Commission; the Recreation Commission; and the Senior Citizens’ Commission. Additionally, there are three ad-hoc committees that have been engaged on an as-needed basis over the last several years. The ad-hoc committees include the Citizens Financial Advisory Committee; the Charter Review Committee and the Youth Advisory Council (now disbanded). According to City records, the last City Board or Commission that was created was the Arcadia Museum Commission in 1993. DISCUSSION The formation of a new City board or commission necessitates direction and support from the City Council. With this presentation, Councilmember Cao will share his vision for a City Health Commission. This presentation will specify the scope of the proposed commission, which would include advising the City Council on traditional health care services, with an emphasis on medical transport, mental health, senior health care, youth health care, and cross-cultural health care needs. Additionally, areas not intended for the commission will be described as well like homeless health care, sustainability, and telecommunications. Membership of the commission is proposed as a mix of local health care providers and residents, including representation from non-voting members like the Arcadia Fire Department, Arcadia Police Department, and the Arcadia Unified School District. Health care providers are intended to comprise the bulk of the commission’s membership and will be representative of major medical institutions in Arcadia like the USC Arcadia Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. If approved, the Health Commission would follow the traditional recruitment and appointment cycle for all City boards and commission. This would involve recruitment efforts from April to May, appointments in June, and official action of the commission beginning with the first meeting in July or August 2023. City Council liaisons for boards and commissions have historically been determined following the Council reorganization. The last reorganization and board and commission assignments were determined by Mayor Cheng at the December 6, 2022, City Council Meeting. If the City Council approves the creation of a health commission, the Mayor would be asked to select a Council liaison to serve the commission. If the City Council wishes to proceed with forming a Health Commission, any direction provided at the March 7, 2023, meeting will be brought forward in the form of a resolution during a subsequent meeting. In the resolution, the commission’s purpose, functions, membership composition and terms, meeting dates and times, and any other pertinent details would be addressed. Presentation, Discussion, and Direction – City Health Commission March 7, 2023 Page 3 of 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS No City Council decision is being made as part of this item, thus it is not considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). Any future decision on establishing a City Health Commission will return to the City Council with an accompanying environmental analysis. FISCAL IMPACT The estimated fiscal impact of establishing a new City board or commission is deemed de minimis outside of any staff time, and allocation of City facilities for use by the commission. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council provide direction regarding the formation of a City Health Commission.