TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, for participation in the Alternative Emergency Response Technical Assistance Cohort for 12 months. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an agreement with the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab (GPL), for pro bono technical assistance to a select cohort of jurisdictions piloting the dispatch of alternative crisis response teams. The goal of the cohort is to support jurisdictions seeking to improve outcomes for residents and communities by diverting non-violent calls for service to unarmed trained professionals equipped to offer connection to supportive services such as mental and behavioral health, crisis, substance use, and other forms of support. GPL technical assistance will help jurisdictions advance implementation of an alternative crisis response model tailored to local needs by providing individualized support on program rollout and facilitated learning between participating cohort members. As an Alternative Emergency Response Technical Assistance Cohort participant, it is anticipated that City staff may spend up to four hours per week to support GPL staff, in addition to one to two hours per month of group learning time based on the cohort participant needs. See attached letters of support from City departments.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on July 27, 2021 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on August 5, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 24, 2021, to execute the agreement by August 31, 2021. The agreement with GPL is anticipated to be effective August 31, 2021. Technical assistance and the cohort will launch in August 2021 and extend for 12 months with the possibility of a 6-month extension.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no cost to the City associated with this agreement. Technical assistance will be provided at no cost through GPL. Staff costs associated with participating in the Alternative Emergency Response Technical Assistance Cohort are anticipated to be minimal and will be funded within current resources budgeted in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department. This recommendation has a minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER