TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 35502 with Shree Ganesh, Inc., of Long Beach, CA, for providing temporary lodging and emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, to increase the contract by $300,000 for the current term, for a revised contract amount not to exceed $1,000,000, for the period of September 19, 2019 through September 30, 2021. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to amend Contract No. 35502 with Shree Ganesh, Inc., to continue providing essential emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
On September 17, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) released RFP HE19-131 for lodging services to provide temporary emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. On February 4, 2020, the City Council authorized Contract No. 35502 with Shree Ganesh, Inc., to provide the requested services at Colonial Motel, in an annual amount not to exceed $350,000. On July 7, 2020, the City Council authorized an amendment to Contract No. 35502 to include Coast Motel, which is also operated by Shree Ganesh, Inc.
To respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Department’s Homeless Services Division has been utilizing motel vouchers to quickly and safely house people experiencing homelessness to mitigate the challenges of the virus. The current contract amount of $700,000 for the period of September 19, 2019 through September 30, 2021, under the current terms and conditions of the contract have been exhausted; therefore, a $300,000 in contract authority is requested.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on February 22, 2021, Business Services Bureau Manager Tara Yeats on February 17, 2021, and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on February 18, 2021.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit into this recommendation as requested by the City Council. This recommendation will assist people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach who are at increased vulnerability for COVID-19 exposure by providing quality shelter services in a non-congregate shelter model.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 9, 2021, to allow for uninterrupted and continued temporary shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT
The revised contract authority will not exceed $1,000,000 for temporary lodging and emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Sufficient funding to support the contract are currently appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by reimbursement grant revenue. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The continuation of these contracts will provide continued support to our local economy by assisting in the preservation of employment for four full-time employees residing in Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER