To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MICHAEL W. WEBB, CITY ATTORNEY JOY FORD, QUALITY OF LIFE PROSECUTOR
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APPROVE AMENDMENT TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA FOR USE OF ALLOCATED STATE OF CALIFORNIA GRANT FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE CITY’S HOMELESS COURT AND ENHANCED RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS FOR THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 TO EXTEND THE TERM TO FEBRUARY 28, 2027
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi secured $500,000 for the Redondo Beach Outdoor Homeless Court through the California Budget Act of 2022, Assembly Bill 178. On August 9, 2023, Assemblymember Muratsuchi personally appeared at the City Council meeting for the presentation of the award to the City. On October 17, 2023, the Mayor and Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding to accept the grant as well as the resolution appropriating the funds to the Intergovernmental Grant Fund. There is still grant funding available. Staff seeks approval to extend the agreement to February 28, 2027.
BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill 178 states that the $500,000 are to be allocated by the Judicial Council. The City received a check from the Judicial Council on February 13, 2024. These funds have been used for services related to the Redondo Beach Outdoor Homeless Court. Invoices include the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Clear Behavioral Services, and City Net, also known as Kingdom Causes. Funds have also paid for portable restrooms and storage for the Homeless Court. The grant also covers supportive housing and provision of mental health evaluation and services, so there are invoices relating to the pallet shelter utilities and the Miller Health Law Group for consultation on hiring a mental health clinician.
The Redondo Beach Outdoor Homeless Court continues to be a successful program. To date, there have been 83 graduates, which means 83 participants have been permanently housed. Out of the 83 graduates, three people were convicted of a new crime since graduating. The Board of State and Community Corrections defines recidivism as a “conviction of a new felony or misdemeanor committed within three years of release from custody or committed within three years of placement on supervision for a previous criminal conviction.” By this definition, the Homeless Court has a 4% recidivism rate. By comparison, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reports that in 2018 to 2019, the Los Angeles County recidivism rate was 39.5% and the state recidivism rate was 41.9%. Homeless Court also has an average attendance rate of 77%.
The grant has a current balance of approximately $220,403.12, so the Judicial Council has agreed to extend the agreement two years to allow the City of Redondo Beach to continue using this funding for Homeless Court. Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council approve the amendment to extend the term to February 28, 2027.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney's Office coordinated with the Judicial Council in connection with the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
All program costs will be funded through this grant funding.
ATTACHMENTS
• Memorandum of Understanding
• Amendment