SR-301-004-05 (2)
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City Council Report
City Council Meeting: January 9,2007
Agenda Item: d-tI
To:
Mayor and City Council
From:
Gordon R. Anderson, Assistant City Manager
Subject:
Approval of Receipt of $35,000 from the California Endowment For A
Statewide Homeless Community Court Conference
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to accept $35,000
from the California Endowment for a statewide homeless community court conference.
Executive Summary
In support of the City's efforts to reduce the impact of homelessness on residents of
Santa Monica and to stimulate regional action on the issue of homelessness, the
Special Representative for Homeless Initiatives, Ed Edelman, secured a commitment
from the California Endowment to fund a statewide conference on homeless community
courts. These problem solving courts have proven successful around the country in
establishing collaboration between courts and the local community to link quality of life
offenders with appropriate treatment or alternative community service.
Discussion
The City of Santa Monica is currently establishing a homeless community court on a
pilot basis with funds granted by LA County. While the California Court system has been
a national leader in collaborative justice and innovative solutions such as Homeless
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Courts, this conference will explore additional ways that the courts can collaborate with
the community towards a comprehensive approach to achieving justice, preventing re-
offense and reducing homelessness. This statewide conference on Community Courts,
scheduled for March 29, 2007, is intended to attract participants who are interested -in
innovative solutions to homelessness that supplement those of the successful
Homeless Courts already functioning in California. It will demonstrate how Community
Courts can serve from the onset of the judicial process as gateways to services and
pathways to better individual lives and better communities. Leaders from the judicial,
legislative and executive branches of state government, as well as leaders from county
and city government and the non-governmental sector will be in attendance. They will
learn about and discuss planning, partnerships and collaboration. The conference is
co-sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, the California Endowment, the State
Administrative Office of the Courts, the Center for Court Innovation, Public Counsel and
RAND. Each organization is contributing in kind and other services within existing
resources.
BudqetlFinanciallmpact
Funds in the amount of $35,000 will be deposited in account 20202.403570 for this
purpose.
Prepared by: Kathryn Vernez, Assistant to City Manager for Government Relations
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
Gor on R. Anderson
A istant City Manager
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