HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 075-2022RESOLUTION NO. 075-.- 2 02 2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAKERSFIELD IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
CARE COURT INITIATIVE - SB 1338. -
WHEREAS, in California, cities are at the forefront of responding to
homelessness, providing shelter beds, partnering with nonprofits and churches,
and working across silos to find creative and innovative ways to guide homeless
youth, families, seniors, and veterans into shelter and care; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the City of Bakersfield declared a homeless emergency
shelter crisis; and
WHEREAS, by the end of 2022, the City of Bakersfield will have invested in
over 600 new shelter beds; and
WHEREAS, the 2022 Point -in -Time homeless count found that, for the first time
in recent history, that the number of sheltered homeless individuals is higher than
the number of unsheltered individuals in the City of Bakersfield, meaning there are
more people in shelters than on our streets; and
WHEREAS, thanks to voter supported Measure N - PSVS, the City of
Bakersfield has been able to invest over $11 million dollars a year in programs
related to quality of life, homeless prevention, homeless services and affordable
housing; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield quality of life investments include the
creation of Code Enforcement Rapid Response Teams, bio -hazard clean up
teams in downtown; Public Works Clean City Teams, the Bakersfield Homeless
Center's jobs program, and the reestablishment of the Bakersfield Police
Department Impact Teams; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield homeless services investments include the
operations of the 150 -bed Brundage Lane Navigation center which has
permanently housed over 130 individuals in two years and comprehensive street
outreach through contractor Flood Ministries; and
WHEREAS, despite the City of Bakersfield's significant investments in
emergency shelters, street outreach and affordable housing - the City's
homelessness crisis persists thereby highlighting the limitations of California cities in
addressing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, service providers in the City of Bakersfield are reporting increased
service resistance among the City's remaining homeless population which they
attribute to severe substance abuse and mental health issues among the
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homeless population; and
WHEREAS, in the State of California, mental health and substance abuse
recovery services are funded and delivered through counties; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield has supported innovative programing and
partnerships with the Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
(BHRS) Department including making beds available to BHRS at the City's
Brundage Lane Navigation Center, placing a mental health professional in the
Police Department call center, which has diverted 60% of calls that would have
otherwise received a patrol response, and mental health co -response teams that
respond with the Bakersfield Police Departments Impact Team; and
WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2023, the state has seen an increase in revenue to
the Mental Health Services Act and a combined total of $11.6 billion is available
to counties for programming; and
WHEREAS, in March 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled the
Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court framework to
get people with mental health and substance use disorders the support and care
they need; and
WHEREAS, thousands of Californians are suffering from untreated
schizophrenia spectrum or psychotic disorders that too often lead to
homelessness, incarceration, institutionalization, or premature death; and
WHEREAS, California State Senators Umberg, Orange County and Eggman,
San Joaquin County introduced SB 1338 establishing the CARE Court; and,
WHEREAS, CARE Court includes accountability for everyone - on the
individual and on local governments - with court orders for services; and
WHEREAS, each individual is connected with a court-ordered CARE Plan
and Supporter for up to 24 months; and
WHEREAS, CARE Court connects a person with a care team in the
community and can include clinically prescribed, individualized treatment with
supportive services, stabilizing medication and a housing plan; and
WHEREAS, all counties across the state will participation in CARE Court under
the proposal. If counties do not meet their specified duties under court -ordered
CARE Plans, the court will have the ability to order sanctions and, in extreme
cases, appoint a receiver to ensure services are provided.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Bakersfield as follows:
1. The City Council finds and declares that the foregoing recitals are
true and correct and are hereby incorporated fully as a material part
of this Resolution and based upon -such matters, the City Council
makes the additional findings set forth herein below.
2. The City Council finds and declares that CARE Court would assist
cities by getting at one of the root causes of homelessness which are
schizophrenia spectrum or psychotic disorders and substance
abuse.
3. The City Council finds and declares support for SB 1338 which
establishes the CARE Court.
4. The City Manager's Office shall transmit copies of this Resolution to
the Governor, California Department of Health and Human Services,
Speaker of the Assembly, Senate President pro Tempore and the
City's state legislative delegation.
5. The City Clerk shall attest and certify to the passage and adoption of
this Resolution and it shall become effective immediately upon its
approval.
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HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted
by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on
MAY 16 2022 , by the following vote:
,AYES: COUNCILMEMBER ARIAS, GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, FREEMAN, GRAY, PARLIER
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER
Jl LIE DRIMAKIS, MMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED MAY 18 2022
By 44M ;kl
KAREN GOH
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
B
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J SHUA H. RUDNICK
puty City Attorney
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