HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 184-2023RESOLUTION NO. 18 4- 2 0 2 3
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
URGING EXPEDITED IMPLEMETATION OF CARE COURT AND
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE BILL 43 IN THE COUNTY OF KERN.
WHEREAS, the number of homeless individuals in the City of Bakersfield
has nearly tripled since 2017; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, fifty percent of the nation's unsheltered individuals
resided in California while California comprises only twelve percent of the nation's
overall population; and
WHEREAS, since 2018, the City of Bakersfield has moved quickly to triage
the state's homeless crisis by funding 500 new shelter beds; and
WHEREAS, the City's 268 bed Brundage Lane Navigation Center has
already moved more than 300 people out of the shelter and into permanent housing
since opening its doors in October 2020; and
WHEREAS, the City spends $20 million dollars a year to address the
homelessness crisis including operation and support of the Brundage Lane
Navigation Center, Flood Ministries street outreach, Code Enforcement Rapid
Response Teams, Police Department Impact Teams, Clean City teams, the Park
Ranger Program, the Bakersfield -Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative, prioritizing
and funding affordable housing through the City's Economic and Community
Development Department, and the creation of a new restructured homeless team
in the City Manager's office; and
WHEREAS, cities are experiencing the costs of failed state -run systems
and policies; and
WHEREAS, despite the City's substantial investments and programming
to end homelessness, service providers report increasing service resistance among
the Bakersfield homeless population as a result of severe mental health and
substance use challenges; and
WHEREAS, according to a recent University of California San Francisco
Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness, sixty-six percent of homeless
individuals noted symptoms of mental health conditions and thirty one percent of
homeless individuals report regular use of methamphetamines; and
A Resolution of the Council of the City of Bakersfield Urging Expedited Implementation of Care Court
and California State Senate Bill 43 in the County of Kern
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WHEREAS, according to data collected by the City's homeless street
outreach contractor Flood Ministries, ninety percent of the homeless individuals
residing in the City of Bakersfield are from the County of Kern; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield has joined the California League of
Cities and the Big City Mayor Coalition in supporting a number of landmark state
reforms; and
WHEREAS, in September 2022, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1338
which established the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE)
Court Program; and
WHEREAS, CARE Court allows family members, non-profit organizations
and public safety personnel to file a petition with the courts for an individual to
receive a CARE Plan for housing, medication and recovery supports; and
WHEREAS, the deadline for the County of Kern to complete
implementation of CARE Court is December 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, in October 2023, the Governor signed Senate Bill 43 which
expands the definition of "gravely disabled," for purposes of involuntarily detaining
an individual with a severe substance use disorder (SLID), or a co-occurring mental
health (MH) disorder and a severe SLID, or chronic alcoholism that is unable to
additionally provide for personal safety or necessary medical care; and
WHEREAS, SB 43 permits a county, by adoption of a resolution of its Board
of Supervisors, to defer implementation until January 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, taken together, CARE Court and Senate Bill 43, are the most
significant changes to California's behavioral health system in over 50 years to
address the homelessness crisis throughout California.
as follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield
The above recitals are true and are incorporated by reference
herein.
2. The City Council hereby urges expedient implementation of the
CARE Court Program and Senate Bill 43 in the County of Kern.
3. The City Council recommends a phased implementation of the
programs to avoid delay in addressing homelessness in the City of
Bakersfield.
A Resolution of the Council of the City of Bakersfield Urging Expedited Implementation of Care Court
and California State Senate Bill 43 in the County of Kern
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4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
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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
DEC 13 2023 , by the following vote:
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COUNCILMEMBER ARIAS, GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, FREEMAN, GRAY, KAUR
NOES: COUNCILMEMB
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMB
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMB
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LIE DRIMAKIS, CPMC, MMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio of the
APPROVED: Council of the City of Bakersfield
By a
KAREN GOH
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO, CITY ATTORNEY
JOSHUA H. RUDNICK
Deputy City Attorney II
JHR/vlg
S:\COUNCIL\Resos\23-24\SB 43 - CARE Court.docx
A Resolution of the Council of the City of Bakersfield Urging Expedited Implementation of Care Court
and California State Senate Bill 43 in the County of Kern
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