TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into a SAFE Cities Network Agreement with the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit corporation, to establish a legal defense fund and program (Long Beach Justice Fund) for providing legal representation to low-income immigrants facing deportation in the City of Long Beach, in the amount not to exceed $250,000, for a two-year period. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On March 13, 2018, the City Council adopted the Long Beach Values Act of 2018 and requested that staff investigate the establishment of a legal defense fund in the amount of $250,000, including universal representation, and to report back with options. The City Council also requested that staff consider outside organizations, such as the Vera Institute of Justice. The results of an analysis of options for creating a legal defense fund was presented to the City Council in a July 20, 2018 memorandum (Attachment A). Staff found the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) to be uniquely qualified and the most efficient option for achieving City Council direction. Additionally, staff reported that $100,000 in savings in the FY 18 Budget would be set aside for this purpose, and the remaining $150,000 could be identified through City Council deliberation of the FY 19 Budget.
On September 4, 2018, the City Council adopted the FY 19 Budget and approved $250,000 for the establishment of the Long Beach Justice Fund (Fund). Additionally, the City Council requested that when the Vera contract came for their consideration, that staff be prepared to discuss alternatives to Vera including, but not limited to, services provided by the Long Beach Bar Association. The July 20, 2018 memorandum outlines an alternative to Vera that could maintain consistency with the City Council’s initial direction on March 13, 2018. As reflected in the memorandum, this alternative would require additional staffing in the Office of Equity to...
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