One there we go.

Yes.

Okay.

Like to call the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Um we need to do a pledge of allegiance.

So if everyone would rise, please pledge allegiance to the flag.

The United States of America to the Republic for which stands one nation.

Invisible with liberty and justice.

Thank you.

Would you like to do a road call?

Yes, thank you.

Chair Frey.

I am here.

Vice Chair Albert?

Here.

Commissioner Bailey.

Here.

Commissioner Lum.

Here.

Commissioner O'Brien.

Here.

Commissioner Roby.

Here.

Commissioner Mason?

Here.

Commissioner Reed.

Here.

And Commissioner Picado is excused tonight.

Okay.

And do we have any announcements quickly?

The only announcement is that the invitation that I mentioned about the volunteer appreciation event that is happening on April 20th, you should have received an email.

If you didn't let me know, and I will get that information over to you.

Okay.

Because we have three presentations tonight, and two of them are being made by Miss Lobadon.

I'd like to entertain a motion to relocate item six presentations up to uh ahead of the consent calendar and make data number three.

Could I have a motion, please?

So move.

Second or lum and Roby, all in favor?

Thank you.

Any opposed?

Anybody want to stay real late?

Okay.

Our first presentation showing is restorative pathways, but they're not here at this moment.

So I'm hoping that we can count on you.

Well it's like to do our uh ARU and well.

Absolutely.

Um good evening, everybody.

Jessica Lowidon, Human Services Director.

I'll I'll start and if if for any reason restorative pathways comes, we can we can take a break in the middle of the presentation.

Um but so I'll first be presenting an update on the city's alternative response unit.

Um this is a partnership with uh the city, specifically human services, as well as the police department, Cardea Health, and Alameda County Fire, which is the city's contracted fire service provider.

Um the ARU provides a clinical unarmed alternative to the traditional 911 response.

Its current staffing model is one emergency medical technician, one nurse practitioner, and two community health workers.

And that um emergency medical technician and EMT, that's also a firefighter.

Um, and the unit operates Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

The program goals are really to reduce the police response to 911 calls related to behavioral health requests.

Um early in an effort to deliver an appropriate and timely response to behavioral health needs in the community, decrease the number of unnecessary emergency room visits, and bridge and facilitate service connections for individuals experiencing mental health crises.

The ARU exists because not all behavioral health crises are always a law enforcement issue.

Um it provides an alternative appropriate compassionate crisis response system and it reduces the strain on police EMS and emergency departments.

So without the ARU, all of these calls are going to the police to respond to.

So it's it's really a two-pronged benefit that it provides an appropriate response and it reduces the burden on an already overburdened emergency response system.

So for tonight's presentation, I'll be discussing the first year utilization trends.

Um quarter one through quarter four.

We launched the alternative response unit in November, so it's not quite a fiscal year, it's not quite a calendar year, but um, it's a year long term.

Um so in summary, the call volume increased, and then it plateaued as the program ramped up.

It took a few months for the ARU to get its groove, but it's now operating at full capacity.

And dispatch triage protocols are functioning as intended.

So this is a graph that shows the distribution of all eligible calls.

So because the ARU does not operate 24-7, calls come in that could otherwise calls come in out of service that could have otherwise been responded to by the ARU.

So what this shows is in the red, what are the calls that came in out of the service hours?

In the green, what are the calls that came in within the service hours that were responded to?

This blue chart, which we really see in Q3 and Q4, is when the ARU was with another client.

And then we see our trend lines.

So there's in Q1 and probably likely to, you know, getting the messaging out.

It was more of a soft launch.

And then in Q2 through Q4, we do see a jump in calls that could have been responded to the ARU had they been within the service window.

At a glance, 821 unduplicated clients or individuals were served across 2800 total client interactions, which means that we have more interactions than we have individuals, so some people are being seen often or more than once at least.

Approximately half were high frequency 911 callers.

So this is how calls were received by the ARU.

So they can be received through the 911 system.

That's the 911 call through follow-up, and that's when the ARU is responding to somebody who maybe they interacted with earlier, earlier than in that moment.

On view is for when the ARU is out in the public and they see something that may warrant a response.

So it is possible for members of the community to call the ARU directly.

So there's a there's a few different ways the ARU can respond.

They can respond just as their own unit.

Or there's also times where there's backup requested by the police department.

So that's that's the least amount of calls that are responded to.

Is that they call for PD response?

Um it's the little micro thing on the that's that the ARU is calling the police for response.

I'm just gonna shut this because the vacuum is cool.

Thank you, Jessica.

So if the ARU is responding and it warrants further assistance from the police department, that is when they'll escalate.

Um EMS involvement.

Most clients' needs were met on scene or through ongoing referrals.

Um so we are seeing that it helps reduce the unnecessary emergency room utilization.

So this is this chart looks at what is the client outcome.

There's client being released.

The clients can be transported to an alternative site.

So that could be that we're working with somebody and then they get referred to go and access the housing resource center or go and access the food pantry.

We also do have that clients are refusing services or referrals.

Again, we're seeing the PD requested or further medical requested.

So that would be like backup from the ambulance, because we just have the EMT on the staff.

And so this chart is just looking at the total call logs across quarters one through four.

We took a look at this a bit earlier in the presentation, but you know, serving over 800 unique individuals over the course of the year.

This is a there's been some really great success stories of the ARU.

I won't read this exactly, but it it this was getting a client connected to more intensive behavioral health services through the care court petition process.

Um CareCourt is a new mental health intervention that came online within the past two years, which our ARU does have the ability to refer um individuals to, and they've had a lot of success.

They've developed a great system and have actually started training other first responders in how to do um referrals into the care court system.

Um and then another successful story was working with an individual who was a frequent utilizer of the 911 system.

Um this is an individual experiencing worsening dementia.

Um that PD really, the police department, it's difficult to engage, difficult to develop that relationship with, especially when they're stretched thin through myriad of other needs in the community.

Um so this was a collaboration with many different partners and also adult uh senior services to connect this individual to a more appropriate living situation.

That is the end of the presentation on the alternative response unit.

I'm happy to answer any questions if anyone has any.

Uh rose Monday through Thursday.

Is there any plans in the future to go seven days or not?

Although then the cost.

Um I just came from the finance committee meeting where um I don't see it uh within the next few years increasing to seven days a week, um, but I know it is a very important priority for the city council is to um at least maintain the existing level of services that we see.

So on that note, is funding projected to be increased, decreased, or stay the same?

For the next two fiscal years, it's projected to stay the same, and then in fiscal year 29, it will it currently has a um reduction.

However, we did hear from council at this committee meeting that they would like to see if there's a way to um not have that reduction.

Right.

Okay.

Do you have demographics of the people that you're servicing specifically for myself?

I'm just looking at age demographics.

I think we do have it.

Um we can definitely look in some of the reports and share that back if we if we do have it.

I'd just like to see which, you know, I just would like to see that.

Absolutely.

I would be curious too.

Yeah, demographics.

Yeah, absolutely.

Uh we can take a look and see what we have.

I'm curious about the the referral decision tree, what needs to send folks out versus just the police or ambulance.

Um, do you have any information on that or how the decisions may have through to someone?

You know, I I unfortunately don't have that information.

We can we can get that though from our our partners who are like in the field doing that.

And so is your question specifically on um who to send out, like the triage aspect, the dispatch.

Yeah, and that's mostly I'm just curious.

Yeah, like yeah, we can I can work.

Okay, yeah.

And is there a preference for the public to access to call ARU via 911 or versus their direct number?

Is there no preference?

Okay, yeah.

What is the direct number?

Um, we can get that for you.

Okay.

Do you know?

No, I have it on the file.

I I don't know.

Actually, I don't know if it's a direct number or it's a person's private.

Okay, yeah.

Oh, wait.

I'll I'll respond to the entire commission.

Okay.

I'll confirm it.

Thank you.

Has there been any um like social media effort to let the public know how the ARU is doing and like getting this information out to the public so they know that the impact it's having?

Um, we actually were just having a conversation about that.

Um, the ARU was invited to do an interview with an organization that works on progressive policing efforts.

Um, so I think they're gonna be doing um potentially like a video promo.

And if they do, we'll absolutely push that out through our social media channels.

Wasn't that part of um the city manager's monthly newsletter update?

Thank you.

We did have um a blurb in the city managers monthly newsletter update.

I think in February.

Um, maybe yeah, I think it was in February.

Um and I want to say that a video was done as well, but um, there's always, you know, we can always do more.

Every every interaction that I've had with um the people on the staff with the supervision of Cardea, everybody has just been top notch involved right there to help.

None none of this uh leave a message and we'll call you back a week from next year.

That's great.

Great.

Thank you.

Excellent.

Thank you so much.

Yeah, absolutely.

And thanks for fighting for them.

So I did get an email from restorative pathways at seven that they could not make it tonight.

Oh they're up again.

Third time's a charm.

Maybe all right.

Um, so the next presentation is an update on the Llewellyn Interim Housing and Drop In Center.

Um so for those I I think I've been to this commission, but uh a quick high-level overview is um this was the former Nimitz Motel, the city acquired this property in um a few years ago and received state grant funding to convert the site into um uh two discrete services.

One is interim housing to transition uh individuals into permanent supportive housing, and the second component of the site is a daytime drop-in center.

So the um interim housing opened in April of 2025, so we're coming up on one year opening.

Um we have data updated as of February, so there could be some increased numbers here, but since opening, 12 individuals have moved from the site into permanent supportive housing.

Um the program has been successful in connecting clients not only to housing but to employment and focuses a lot on developing long-term skills for individuals to have success once placed into permanent housing.

Um the drop-in center has also had really successful numbers.

They opened a few months later in June of 2025 and has served 295 unduplicated individuals.

Um drop-in offers a place for folks to rest, to eat, to take a shower, do their laundry, um, and also get service connected, not just to um building futures who operates this site, but also to other providers.

So we bring in um our partner agencies to connect and provide resources on site there.

This is a shorter presentation, but um this is uh those are some of the numbers.

Um of the success stories here.

We had an individual housed in uh December just before the holidays, um, and was able to sign their lease and get a job interview.

Um the drop-in was open Christmas Day.

We had folks coming on site and really appreciated having a place to go.

It was raining on Christmas and able to get some much needed resources, respite food, and just have a place to go.

Um, so we're we're very excited about this program and the ongoing successes that it'll have.

One of the things that can be helpful is if there's an event of some kind.

Um, I know we've gotten calls from uh first, you know, I did Methodist Church where they were having a memorial service, and they ended up with a lot of extra food.

Picked it up and took it over, and it's just it's a treat.

I mean, folks get food, but sometimes if you have extra from a party or yeah, call them, they'll take it.

And and and truthfully, if you are ever in concern about how to get rid of extra food from a party, call me, I'll take care of it.

The um I'll note that the drop-in center is open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Um, and the interim housing site, that's through referral only.

So that's not a walk-up shelter where people can get access same day.

You need to go through a referral and placement process there.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Yeah, thank you.

Thanks.

Yeah, thank you, Jessica.

Yeah, anything else?

No, sir.

All right, going once, going on.

Thank you.

Thanks, everyone.

Have a great night.

You too.

Okay.

So moving uh uh to our item number now number four, which will be our consent calendar.

Uh, did everyone have a chance to review the uh minutes of our last meeting?

If so, could I get a motion to accept or correct?

So moved.

Second, all in favor of accepting, yay, opposed, no?

Okay.

Um cities item five is city staff reports and announcements.

I only have one, and it is the calendar I promise at our last meeting.

Um, the one that's attached in this agenda is it totally up to date because I have new um agencies who have signed up.

Um, but this is a work in progress.

I just want to give the commission an idea of what the rest of the year could look like.

Um, mostly it's going to be presentations.

I have had one agency respond to an uh on-site visit that the commit um only four commissioners could attend because we can't uh violate Brown Act rules, um, which is why we prefer in-person presentations because then the entire commission benefits, but sometimes it's nice to visit on-site operations if it's not just an office setting.

Um, so I will get back to the commission once uh I have more details on that.

But uh mostly we'll be uh seeing presentations.

There's the um legislative break that happens in August.

Um in sometime in September and October, the commission will also receive a presentation on the upcoming cap cycle because it's time for that again.

Um so it'll just be a refresher training um session, an update of if any of the priorities will be changing.

I don't have any of that information yet, but I'll be sure to bring that information then because most likely the RFP will open in November, December, just like last time, and then of course the commission will decide by our October meeting whether a special meeting will be uh scheduled since both of the November and December meetings fall really close to the holidays.

Um any questions work in progress, but I will as soon as it's completed.

I will make sure to email it out to everybody.

Thank you.

Um item six public comments.

We have no public with us.

Uh do we have any e-comments?

No e-comments.

Okay, and our presentations move to three.

So moving right along to action items.

Commission vice chair nomination and election.

And can you give us the rules for holding the positions?

The chair and vice chair.

Yes.

The positions are supposed to be only one-year terms.

However, the handbook is very generous and does say if the commission chooses the term can be extended.

We've had some commissions that have had the same chair and vice chair for years.

It just some commissions like that.

But it does encourage a one-year term just to have a very spread the love.

Yeah, spread the love.

There we go.

Thank you.

And the term of office is from uh you would uh immediate.

I'm next meeting.

Next meeting.

Next meeting.

You're up.

Is anybody wish to be nominated?

Anyone want to volunteer?

Vice chair, we're talking about vice chair.

Anyone would like to, I would actually like to nominate James Reed.

No.

To be vice too busy.

Too busy.

See, that's why I couldn't get a hold of you.

Anyone else?

Arlene, you have some experience with us on other commissions.

Are you feeling tapped out?

Okay.

Can we move?

Can we pen that?

Yeah, um, you you're saying table link for 10 minutes.

Oh that's yeah, this isn't when I go to the next one.

I'd like to I'd like to go to chair and nominate Aaron to be uh the chair next year, starting next month.

Okay.

Is that would you accept that, Aaron?

Accept your nomination.

I second that.

All in favor of Aaron as our coming up chair.

Say yay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I'm happy to sit as vice if nobody really would like to do it.

I will back you up.

I'd be happy to.

I would be honored to.

Can I nominate myself as vice chair?

Absolutely.

I nominate me.

Thank you.

Okay.

I vote for me.

I win.

Oh, I like this.

Can you tell I've been spending time with a five-year-old.

Okay.

So next month.

Switch Ms.

Over will be our chair.

Okay.

Looking forward to it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And we move on to the next item, which is commission reports and announcements.

I have nothing to report.

I also have nothing to report.

I don't have anything.

I have noticed an uptick in being downtown.

I'm frequently downtown on Friday nights and Saturday nights.

I've noticed a big uptick in people walking around seem to be enjoying themselves.

So I mean it's noticeable, like really noticeable.

And this has only been over the last three or four weeks.

Well, I don't know maybe what's changed or if something has happened, but it's it's quite encouraging to see not only you know young adults walking around and enjoying the shops, but like kids and families and things like that out too.

So I'm not sure what we're doing, but we need to keep it up because it's very bustly and I love it.

It's great.

Does it have anything to do with the second Friday?

I'm not sure.

I don't know if people are going to the second Friday and then coming out following Fridays.

But I I've been to CBS last three Fridays for my aunt, and I usually go at night around seven, and it's just bustling.

Like there's just people everywhere.

It's really nice.

That's lovely.

And the market, farmers market's coming back soon.

So next week.

Yeah.

Next week, right?

And Sprouts has been doing a huge push in marketing, so I think people really know that they're there now.

Yeah.

And so I notice a lot of a lot of activity around the library when I go to Sprouts.

But yeah.

Anyway, I just wanted to notice an observation.

Commissioner Mason, nothing from me.

I'd like to congratulate our president and vice president.

Thank you for taking that position on again.

I'll take it out later.

And I have nothing.

Make a motion we adjourn.

Second.

Um call it official at 7-3.

Oh no.

7:30.

All right.

Wow.