PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 03/18/2024
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FY 2023-25 CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY WORKPLAN UNDER, UNDER MAJOR POLICY GOAL: IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, TO ADD POLICY NO. 517 - AUTHORIZATION FOR CITY STAFF TO EXPLORE REGIONAL OR SUB-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS ON: (1) PHASE I - FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN CONTRA COSTA NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATIVE PARTNERSHIP (NRP) THROUGH THE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND REACH PROJECT JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM; AND (2) PHASE II - EXPLORE A NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTED DIVERSION (LEAD) PILOT PROGRAM WHICH INTEGRATES A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES TO FURTHER REDUCE RECIDIVISM TO ADDRESS LOW-LEVEL MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES; AND (3) EXPLORE JOINT APPLICABLE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FOR BOTH PROGRAMS & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-25 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Proposed Policy No. 517 - is not contained in the FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Workplan, effective May 1, 2023.
BACKGROUND
Adopted City Council Priority Workplan (FY 2023-25)
On May 1, 2023, the City Council adopted the FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Workplan (Workplan) via Resolution 2023-058 following a Strategic Planning Workshop process which concluded in April 2023. At the same meeting, City Council approved Amendment No.1 to the Workplan via Resolution 2023-065. Additional policy amendments have been approved to date for FY 2023-24 period, as follows:
On June 5, 2023, the City Council approved Amendment No. 2 to the Workplan via Resolution 2023-092.
On August 7, 2023, the City Council approved Amendment No. 3 to the Workplan via Resolution 2023-130.
On December 13, 2023, the City Council approved Amendment No. 4 to the Workplan via Resolution 2023-167.
On February 5, 2024, the City Council approved Amendment No. 5 to the Workplan via Resolution 2024-015.
Two-Step Process for Amending the City Council Priority Workplan
The process for considering a formal policy amendment to the Workplan involves two (2) steps, as follows:
• Step No.1: Adopt a motion via minute order to add the proposed Workplan amendment to a future City Council agenda for formal policy discussion; and;
• Step No.2: Have the policy discussion about the proposed Workplan amendment as part of an agendized item at the City Council meeting in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act; Vote to approve/deny the policy amendment to the Workplan by majority vote via Resolution.
Proposed Workplan Amendment No. 6 for City Council Discussion
At the end of the March 4, 2024 City Council meeting, on a motion made by Councilmember Pineda and duly seconded, the City Council voted to schedule a policy discussion at the City Council meeting on March 18, 2024 to consider amending the Priority Workplan to explore the following:
1) To explore the feasibility of a potential Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program which integrates a network of community-based organizations and services to further reduce recidivism to address low-level misdemeanor offenses (i.e. drug and alcohol, mental health, or military personnel offenses); and seek applicable grants to establish a potential Pilot Program in the future.
Policy Research and Feasibility
Following City Council direction received, additional policy research was conducted by City staff on policy feasibility. Two attachments are included with this staff report and is being presented for additional policy consideration, as follows:
1) Memorandum issued 03/07/24 from Interim Police Chief Bubar to City Manager Rodriguez re: Feasibility Evaluation of San Pablo LEAD Pilot Program; and
2) 2023 Report CA Law Revision Commission (CLRC) Committee on Revision of the Penal Code - Support Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)
A PPT presentation has been prepared with this above information in mind for City Council consideration this evening and has been shared with Councilmember Pineda in advance of the policy discussion this evening.
Revised Policy Recommendations for City Council Consideration
Based on additional policy research, the City Manager recommends that the City Council alternatively consider the following policy amendment to the Workplan:
UNDER MAJOR POLICY GOAL: IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY
Amend Policy Item No.517:
Authorization for City staff to explore regional or sub-regional partnerships on:
(1) Phase I - Future participation in Contra Costa Neighborhood Restorative Partnership (NRP) through the County District Attorney’s office, and REACH Project Juvenile Diversion Program; and
(2) Phase II - Explore a new Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Pilot Program which integrates a network of community-based organizations and services to further reduce recidivism to address low-level misdemeanor offenses; and
(3) Explore joint applicable grant opportunities with other local public agencies in Contra Costa County for both programs & policy development.
Should the City Council wish to move forward with the Recommended Policy Consideration, the City Manager would recommend approval by majority vote via adopted Resolution this evening.
FISCAL IMPACT
None associated with this report.
ATTACHMENTS
Att A - Resolution
Att B - DRAFT Proposed Amendment No.6 - FY 2023-25 City Council Priority Workplan (REVISED)
Att C - Memorandum issued 03/07/24 from Interim Police Chief Bubar to City Manager Rodriguez re: Feasibility Evaluation of San Pablo LEAD Pilot Program
Att D - 2023 Report CA Law Revision Commission (CLRC) Committee on Revision of the Penal Code - Support Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)