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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2017-29 RESOLUTION NO. 2017-29 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESOURCE PROGRAM (CORP) FOR EXPANSION IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY REGION WHEREAS, in an effort to utilize community policing strategies and address the growing homeless population in the Coachella Valley, Indio Police Chief Richard Twiss (Retired) called together representatives from various public and private agencies to discuss the resources available in establishing a homeless court in November 2013; and WHEREAS, members of the program committee included representatives from the Indio Police Department Quality of Life Team, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Riverside County Public Defender's office, Conflict Panel, Probation, Judges and Commissioners for the Riverside Superior Court, and Riverside University Health System—Behavioral Health; and WHEREAS, it also includes additional partner providers including Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, ABC Recovery Center, Martha's Village and Kitchen, Mama's House and Victory Outreach; and WHEREAS, recognizing the stigma of the word homeless and the often negative experiences of the homeless population in the justice system, the program was given the name of Community Outreach Resource Program (CORP); and WHEREAS, the CORP is designed to reward positive change and assist participants with reentry into society by alleviating financial burdens and eliminating obstacles to future job prospects; and WHEREAS, there are ways in which a person can become a participant in CORP, it can include an individual is currently participating in a partner provider program and are referred by their case manager; and WHEREAS, the City of Cathedral City has a homeless liaison officer position in the Police Department to assist in identifying clients; and WHEREAS, once the individual is actively participating in a partner program, their case manager submits an application on their behalf to the Public Defender's Office which is then reviewed for the open cases or convicted matters with fines and fees owed; and WHEREAS, if the individual appears appropriate, their case is referred to the District Attorney's Office for a background check; and WHEREAS, at a quarterly meeting, the individual is reviewed by all members of the committee to determine if they are ready for CORP through a series of topics; and WHEREAS, if the individual is accepted into CORP, their low-level misdemeanors and infractions are dismissed as well as suspension of fines and fees already owed for convicted cases; and WHEREAS, since implemented there have been 89 graduates of 91 participants with 27 misdemeanors/infractions dismissed equating to $234,830.08 in fines and fees dismissed; and WHEREAS,- a research partnership was developed with Dr. Cody Telep, Assistant Professor for the School of Criminology&Criminal Justice with Arizona State University, to survey participants and determine and document the success of the program; and; WHEREAS, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Homelessness and Public Safety Committees recognizes its proven success and has gained support from regional stakeholders; and WHEREAS, CORP can be utilized by all citizens of the Coachella Valley and include additional partner providers to assist individuals out of homelessness that qualify through the CORP stakeholder groups; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Cathedral City supports the CORP for expansion in the Coachella Valley and commits to partnering with the program. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2017. 1 anley E. Henry, Mayor ATTEST: Gary F. Howell, C'ty Clerk AP ROVED AS TO FORM: U ric S. Vail. City orney I, GARY F. HOWELL, CITY CLERK of the City of Cathedral City, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cathedral City held on the 14th day of June, 2017 by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Aguilar, Carnevale-and Kaplan; Mayor Pro _ Tem Pettis and Mayor Henry NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None r� _ tea, Gary F, Howell, City Clerk '