Resolution 2024-33237 RESOLUTION NO.' 2024-33237
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF.
THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE
COMMITTEE ("PSNQLC"), MADE AT ITS JULY 10, 2024 MEETING, TO
ESTABLISH AFTER-HOURS LIVE ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS
OUTREACH SERVICES.
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, the
City Commission referred an item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Committee ("PSNQLC") to request the Administration to explore and provide options for live
assistance for homeless outreach services during after-hours; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, the Administration implemented Commissioner Fernandez's
suggested "MBCARES" signs in highly concentrated areas to promote accessibility to homeless
services; and
WHEREAS, the signs include information for the main phoneline for homeless outreach,
the walk-in center location, and the website; and
WHEREAS, this initiative has been instrumental in raising awareness and connecting
individuals experiencing homelessness with necessary services; and
WHEREAS, there is an opportunity to improve phone coverage for the homeless
services main phoneline (305-604-4663) during evening off-hours; and
WHEREAS, the Homeless Outreach Services Team responds to calls during regular
and extended office hours, and concerns are often reported to the police non-emergency
number for assistance, managed by the Fire Department's Public Safety Communications; and
WHEREAS, upon receiving these calls, staff dispatches a law enforcement officer who,
depending on the situation, can subsequently contact the Police-Homeless Resources Sergeant
or New Hope C.O.R.P.S.; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of live assistance guarantees the public's round-the-clock
access to report homelessness, demonstrates the City's commitment to providing
comprehensive support services, and improves the ability to inform the Mayor and City
Commission's decision-making process with further data collection; and
WHEREAS,, at the July 10, 2024, PSNQLC meeting, the Committee recommended
establishing live assistance for Homeless Outreach Services during afterhours; and
WHEREAS, the Administration is set to implement a strategic collaboration involving the
Office of Housing and Community Services, the Information Technology ("IT") Department, and
the Fire Department Public Safety Division; and
WHEREAS, the initiative aims to enhance the City's after-hours support by re-routing
calls from the homeless services main phoneline to the City's non-emergency number; and
WHEREAS, the IT Department has already conducted a thorough exploration of the
technological requirements necessary for rerouting calls outside of regular working hours; and
WHEREAS, the Administration has successfully addressed any technical and
operational challenges to ensure that this transition will be both smooth and effective; and
WHEREAS, the Public Safety Communications Division has completed a feasibility
assessment and confirmed its capability to manage the anticipated increase in call volume; and
WHEREAS, Administration is now moving forward with the development and
implementation of a protocol designed to assist dispatchers in efficiently handling and
responding to homeless-related calls during after-hours; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Housing and Community Services will provide specialized
training for dispatchers in the Public Safety Communications Division to ensure that dispatchers
are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to address calls related to
homelessness effectively; and
WHEREAS, the Police-Homeless Resource Sergeant and the New Hope C.O.R.P.S.
will be prepared to offer assistance as needed when contacted through this process; and
WHEREAS, the Administration will establish a robust monitoring and evaluation
system to ensure the continued effectiveness of the rerouted call process, to collect and
analyze data, which will help us make informed decisions about any necessary adjustments
and improvements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood
Quality of Life Committee ("PSNQLC"), made at its July 10, 2024 meeting, to establish after-
hours live assistance for homeless outreach services.
PASSED and ADOPTED this i( day of §tpliwl6eā , 2024.
ATTEST:
Steven Meiner, Mayor
r
SEP 1 7 2024
E ā''
INCORP GRATED'
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk '; .c,
Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez 0 APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
Co-Sponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner & FOR EXECUTION
Co-Sponsored by Commissioner Joseph Magazine
C'1'orney f Date
Resolutions -C7 L
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager
DATE: September 11, 2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE
("PSNQLC"), MADE AT ITS JULY 10, 2024 MEETING, TO ESTABLISH AFTER-
HOURS LIVE ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS OUTREACH SERVICES.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends approving the Resolution.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
On May 15, 2024, at the request of Commissioner Fernandez, the Mayor and City Commission
(City Commission) referred an item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Committee (PSNQLC) to request the Administration to explore and provide options for live
assistance for homeless outreach services during afterhours.
In 2022, the Administration implemented Commissioner Fernandez's MBCARES signs
suggestion in highly concentrated areas to promote accessibility to homeless services. These
signs included information on the main line for homeless outreach, the walk-in center location,
and the website. This initiative has been instrumental in raising awareness and connecting
individuals experiencing homelessness with necessary services.
Expanding on the City's ongoing efforts to assist persons experiencing homelessness,there is an
opportunity to improve phone coverage for the homeless services main line 305-604-4663 during
evening off-hours. Currently, the Homeless Outreach Services Team responds to calls during
regular working hours from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Additionally, while conducting street outreach,
the City's extended outreach team transfers calls to a city cellphone on Thursdays and Fridays
from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and on weekends from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Additionally, outside of regular and extended office hours, concerns are often reported to the
police non-emergency number for assistance, managed by the Fire Department's Public Safety
Communications Division. Upon receiving these calls, staff dispatches an officer who, depending
on the situation, can subsequently reach out to the Police-Homeless Resource Sergeant or New
Hope CORPS, a contracted provider for after hours outreach.
The expansion of live assistance guarantees the public's round-the-clock access to report
homelessness, demonstrates the City's commitment to providing comprehensive support
services, and improves the ability to inform the Mayor and City Commission's decision-making
process with further data collection.
At the July 10, 2024, PSNQLC meeting, the PSNQLC recommended establishing live assistance
for Homeless Outreach Services during afterhours.
Page 369 of 1377
ANALYSIS
In response to the need for continuous support for homeless services, the Administration is set to
implement a strategic collaboration involving the Office of Housing and Community Services, the
Information Technology (IT) Department, and the Fire Department's Public Safety
Communications Division. This initiative aims to enhance our after-hours support by rerouting
calls from the homeless services main line to the City's non-emergency number.
The IT Department has already conducted a thorough exploration of the technological
requirements necessary for rerouting calls outside of regular working hours.We have successfully
addressed technical and operational challenges to ensure that this transition will be both smooth
and effective.
Additionally, the Public Safety Communications Division has completed a feasibility assessment
and confirmed its capability to manage the anticipated increase in call volume. We are now
moving forward with the development and implementation of a protocol designed to assist
dispatchers in efficiently handling and responding to homelessness-related calls during after-
hours.
To support this transition, the Office of Housing and Community Services will provide specialized
training for dispatchers in the Public Safety Communications Division. This training will ensure
that dispatchers are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to address calls
related to homelessness effectively. Furthermore, we will make certain that the Police-Homeless
Resource Sergeant and the New Hope CORPS are prepared to offer assistance as needed when
contacted through this process.
To ensure the continued effectiveness of the rerouted call process, we will establish a robust
monitoring and evaluation system. This system will allow us to collect and analyze data, which
will help us make informed decisions about any necessary adjustments and improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
No fiscal impact at this time.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate(BIE)was published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the attached
resolution establishing the expansion of the live assistance for homeless outreach services
afterhours.
Page 370 of 1377
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
According to the 2023 Miami Beach Community Survey, 29 percent of survey responders cited
efforts to address homelessness as one of the major categories of City services most important
for the City to provide.Additionally,the Mayor and City Commission identified the need to address
homelessness by continuously evolving and innovating services to help those wishing to end their
personal homelessness as a key management objective in the City's 2019 Strategic Plan Through
the Lens of Resilience.
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Project?
No No
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
Housing and Community Services
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Approve Expansion of Live Assistance for Homeless Outreach. (Fernandez) HCS
Page 371 of 1377