pages: CityCouncil/2021-05-08.pdf, 9
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CityCouncil | 2021-05-08 | 9 | outcomes and the types of tools should be identified; there is a place for well-trained Paramedics and Firefighters, but mental health professionals will be needed as well; rather than choosing a specific model, he would like to consider giving direction to remove as many calls from the Police Department as fast as possible, without having to come back to Council and using any resources available, such as CATT or the Fire Department; the administrative change should be made if Council gives policy direction; direction should be given to bring a pilot project back within eight weeks; it will probably sound a lot like what Councilmember Herrera Spencer said using the community based Paramedicine program; it needs to be built out with roles identified and include costs and needed resources; he will support anything that has a remotely reasonable cost; the City is in this position because cuts have been made; the longer term conversation can start once the pilot is up and running; everyone is saying get something going now; by the end of the year once the pilot is going, a decision can be made about where to go from there; a motion should give direction about what can be done now without asking, just telling Council what is being done; staff should return in eight weeks or faster if possible; staff has been meeting with the County since last summer; some of the things on the table are exciting and would make the City a Nation leading program well beyond MACRO; he does not know what it would look like to have mental health first and bring in community response. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft expressed support for identifying outcomes; inquired whether Councilmember Knox White would like the matter to return by the end of the Fiscal Year. Councilmember Knox White responded in the affirmative. Councilmember Daysog stated the features that he is looking for in a mental health model are 24/7 and he prefers in-house staff credentialed in mental health issues; he is looking for models that fit said bill and could be transferred to fit Alameda; crises can occur late at night and early morning, so 24/7 is needed. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she agrees with some of what has been said; she believes Council gave direction to the City Manager on March 16th; she looks forward to hearing the City Manager's recommendations; she does not support having the City Manager implement something before returning to Council; she would support continuing the meeting to a date certain; she is not sure if it can be within a couple of days or if the City Manager needs more time to come up with a recommendation; discussed the Community Paramedicine program; stated the program could be expanded and the City would have control; she looks forward to hearing more from the City Manager and Fire Department; the City gets mental health calls all of the time; more training may be required; she wants to hear from staff about what is needed; Highland Hospital is part of AHS now, which has different facilities for mental health and trauma needs; she wants to ensure the City is leveraging current assets; tweaking or more fully utilizing what the City currently has should be seamless and is her preference; she is not sure if Alameda Family Services could be included and be of value; in regards to who to call, staff can disseminate information; however, most of the numbers are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm; staff can continue to work on who to call without returning to Council; she wants to hear from the City Manager on how calls will be prioritized; the City Manager's job is to make recommendations; at this point, her go to would be to find out how to leverage the Paramedicine program; discussed the program; stated that she supports the City Manager working with both the Fire and Special Meeting Alameda City Council 9 May 8, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-05-08.pdf |