HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 13b - Arcadia Homelessness Summit
DATE: June 20, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: REPORT, DISCUSSION, AND DIRECTION REGARDING A CITY OF
ARCADIA HOMELESSNESS SUMMIT
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Provide Direction
SUMMARY
At the regular City Council Meeting on June 6, 2023, Mayor Pro Tem Verlato received
support to place the topic of a City Homelessness Summit on a future City Council
Agenda. This agenda item brings forward the topic of the City hosting a homelessness
forum with other neighboring communities and allows the City Council to convey their
interests and intended outcomes for the summit. At the conclusion of the discussion, it
is recommended that the City Council provide direction regarding any desired action to
host a Homelessness Summit led by the City of Arcadia.
DISCUSSION
Over the past few years, the City has pursued a variety of options to prevent and reduce
homelessness in Arcadia. Most of this work has been accomplished in partnership with
Los Angeles County and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. These
measures have included housing navigation and case management services,
connecting individuals to overnight shelter in nearby communities, emergency relief
services, a mental health crisis team, community education, first responder training, a
revised camping ordinance to lessen the impacts of homelessness, and numerous other
endeavors.
Despite the level of resources and effort invested into addressing homelessness, the
number of unhoused in Arcadia is still concerning to residents and City Council.
Specifically, Mayor Pro Tem Verlato expressed her desire to convene a group of
neighboring communities to learn about their experience addressing homelessness and
any programs they have found successful in reducing their unhoused residents.
Report, Discussion, and Direction – Homelessness Summit
June 20, 2023
Page 2 of 2
With this agenda item, the City Council can have a discussion about any interest in
hosting a homelessness summit with other neighboring communities as panelists/invited
guests. If desired, the City Council should express their objectives and expected
outcomes, provide direction on the level of resources to be use, specify which agencies
to invite, and further outline what an Arcadia Homelessness Summit should entail.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the
environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
The associated fiscal impact of a Homelessness Summit may vary based upon City
Council direction. Conservatively, hosting a Homelessness Summit may require minimal
resource use to host the meeting, provide light refreshments, and staff support.
Conversely, if the City Council was interested in a larger, multi-day event to be held
outside of the City, the anticipated costs would grow proportionately. With more
direction from the City Council, any financial impacts associated with hosting a
homelessness summit can be better estimated, including any supplemental resources
that may be needed to support the proposal.
RECOMMENDATION
At the conclusion of the discussion, it is recommended that the City Council determine
that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and
provide direction regarding any desire to host a Homelessness Summit led by the City
of Arcadia.