pages: CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf, 17
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CityCouncil | 2021-09-21 | 17 | Councilmember Herrera Spencer requested clarification about the Council discussion process; stated the current time is typically reserved for Council clarifying questions; expressed support for proceeding with the item as agendized. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she raised concerns at the outset due to any Brown Act or Open Government Commission violations. Discussed Council meeting rules; expressed support for the City engaging with AFS; stated the proposal is an important first step; further delay will be an unjustified extension of the status quo, which is unacceptable; discussed death in Police custody; urged Council to act: Erin Fraser, Alameda. Expressed support for the pilot with AFS; discussed her experience with Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) as a Principal for Island High School; stated her experience with AFS has shown there would be an effective partnership for a pilot program; AFS is uniquely positioned to respond to the needed wrap around support; AFS has worked to divert youth from the justice system and has helped intervene and support with families dealing with gun violence, addiction, domestic violence and other mental health needs; the program will require a provider that knows the community with deep ties and established history; AFS is plugged into the needs and resources in the community in a way that no other agency has; AFS has multicultural staff, which supports equitable access to the community: Alysse Castro, Alameda. Stated that she is astounded to hear support for further delay of the program; discussed previous support for the Felton Institute; stated further delays will result in more harm to the community; she appreciates the detailed proposal from AFS; AFS has shown more detail and care than the previous proposal, which included double the budget; the need for a program like this is present and not just Monday through Friday from nine to five; she hopes the proposal will be considered and is part of the beginning of efforts to limit Police contact with vulnerable neighbors; expressed concern over the budget for the program being too low; stated the City can prevent another Mario Gonzales case from happening; urged Council to do the right thing: Jenice Anderson, Alameda. Stated the program has to be 24 hours, 7 days a week; the proposed hours are not long enough; many problems occur when most people are sleeping; the program would help the prevention of crime; noted crime increases are due to the pandemic and the lack of housing and work; Alameda needs a strong non-Police response to incidents: Marilyn Rothman, Alameda. Expressed support for the proposal; stated that he is part of the Board of Directors for AFS; he also served on the subcommittee for unbundling Police services; the subcommittee made the initial recommendation to remove mental health calls from the purview of APD; the next step is to engage a mental health provider; the City could not do better than AFS; AFS has decades of experience with proven excellence in mental health services for the City; AFS has many partnerships nearby; the weaknesses in the Regular Meeting Alameda City Council September 21, 2021 13 | CityCouncil/2021-09-21.pdf |