Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Emergency Occupancy Lease Agreement 4922 with Kuldeeep S. Mand, doing business as Fairbridge Inn Express, to lease twenty (20) motel rooms in the amount of approximately $100,000 for the first three months, and adjusted monthly thereafter based on extensions to the term, in accordance with the State of California "Project Roomkey" to provide non-congregate shelter for medically vulnerable homeless. This Agreement #4922 has an initial retroactive term beginning May 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020, which may be extended on a month-to-month basis depending on the evolving COVID-19 status;
2) Make findings in accordance with County Ordinance 3.13.030 (B) in that the motel possesses specialty skills or qualifications not identified in County classifications; and
3) Authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute further documents relating to Lease Agreement 4922, including amendments which do not increase the maximum dollar amount or term of the Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
FUNDING: Homeless Emergency Aid Program grant funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On March 18, 2020, the Governor of the State of California executed Executive Order N-32-20 declaring that the COVID-19 emergency required a focused approach that would include emergency protective measures to bring "unsheltered Californians safely indoors, expand shelter capacity, maintain health and sanitation standards and institute medically indicated interventions" to slow the spread of the pandemic. Therefore, the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency must use all preventive measures, which will require access to available services, personnel, equipment, and facilities, to respond to COVID-19.
The County wishes to encourage adherence to the California Governor’s Executive Order N-33-20 in the County by supporting the placement of medically vulnerable homeless in non-congregate shelter (NCS) in accordance with the State’s “Project Roomkey.”
Occupants are currently sheltered on the premises at Fairbridge Inn Express under contract between Kuldeeep S. Mand and Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH), that commenced April 1, 2020. Twenty (20) individuals were initially sheltered at the Fairbridge Inn Express in South Lake Tahoe. TCH has also been providing case management for the individuals.
With this Lease Agreement, the County intends to take over the responsibility for those individuals and will be retroactively assuming payments beginning May 1, 2020 at a cost of $1,000 per room per month (x20 rooms) for a total lease cost of $20,000 per month; with a room deposit of $1,000 per room to be held for the duration of the lease. There is an additional fee of $200 per room for the owner to clean and disinfect each room and replace used linens with new linens upon client being moved from the room. HHSA is planning on leasing the rooms for the period of May 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020. However, at the end of the Lease, the option exists to continue on a month-to-month basis, if the COVID-19 crisis continues. For the above-noted reasons, the maximum obligation for three months is an estimate and will adjusted based on extensions to the term and cleaning costs.
TCH acted expediently to provide non-congregate shelter for the medically vulnerable population by contracting with Fairbridge Inn Express to provide the initial shelter. Since that time the State initiated Project Roomkey and the County received COVID-19 funding, which was obligated to provide NCS via hotel rooms on the West Slope of the County. The County has identified available HEAP funding to provide NCS in South Lake Tahoe, which will be used for this Agreement #4922.
Pursuant to Agreement #4212 with the County, TCH will continue to provide related services to the vulnerable population such as Coordinated Entry Services (CES) and case management to help with obtaining access to food and other necessary services.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could decline authorize execution of Agreement #4922, in which case the NCS services available in South Lake Tahoe would terminate. At that point the County would be non-compliant with the State Project Roomkey for those medically vulnerable homeless individuals in South Lake Tahoe.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
20-0620, 05/05/20 HHSA Ratification of CAO signature on A1, 4212
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. These are new costs that will utilize funds from the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) HEAP grant awarded to the County for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of people experiencing homelessness and subsequently expanded per executive order N-32-20 to reducing the spread of COVID-19.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Lease Agreements 4922.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully executed Agreement to HHSA Contracts Unit, 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Safety
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director