HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrant Related - BOCC (003). 'S LAKE
July 9, 2020
Grant County Commissioners
Grant County Commissioners Office
PO Box 37
Ephrata, WA 98823
Dear Commissioners:
On May 14, 2019, the City of Moses Lake passed Resolution No. 3764 electing to operate its own homeless
program and directed the City Manager to work with the County to obtain funding from the County
recording fees authorized in RCW 43.185C.080. At that time, staff worked with Grant County staff in an
effort to determine the amount of funds that would be due the City. 1n addition, staff met with
representatives of the Washington State Department of Commerce to understand the requirements, but
there was no result of that effort.
Since that time, there has been a change in city leadership, which slowed down the process, but the direction
of the City Council has remained consistent due to ongoing need in the City (last point in time count indicated
63% of the county's homeless were in Moses Lake). As the new City Manager for Moses Lake, I have a good
understanding of the various funding sources and state requirements that accompany the use of the funds.
After seeing the needs of Moses Lake and working with the agencies through this time ofCOVID, it is
apparent that there needs to be a focused effort in our city. There is simply not the infrastructure
(emergency shelter, 24-7 coordinated entry) to handle the city's homeless population in a just and fair
manner. To this end, the City is requesting that instead of having a duplicative homeless process, which the
City is legally able to do, the City is requesting our portion of the recording fees remain in the County pool,
however, the City is asking to retain funds commensurate with our legal share in order to provide the service
we deem necessary to support the implementation of the 10 year plan to reduce homelessness. During the
2019 discussions, your staff (Kevin McRae) indicated $135,000 (or 22% of the funds at that time) would
potentially be due the City.
We truly appreciate the work the County is doing in this area and look forward to strengthening this
partnership, but also need to advocate for our citizens knowing that what is needed will take funding to
implement. I can be reached at (509)764-3702 or awilliams(citafml.com.
Si ly,
Allison Williams
City Manager
Dated this / (-/ day of
Board of County Commissioners
Grant County. Washington
Avpr Disapprove Abstain
cc: Moses Lake City Council RECEIVE D
Dist # I Dist #11 Dist #11
Attachment: Resolution No 3764 JUL — 9 2020 Dist #2 Dist #3 Dist #2
Dist #3 7TE Dist 93 Dist #3
GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
City Manager 764-3713 - City Attorney 764-3703 • Human Resources 764-3714 • Community Development 764-3783 • Finance 764- 3717
Fire 765-2204 • Municipal Services 764-3783 • Municipal Court Clerk 764-3713 • Parks & Recreation 764-3805 • Fax 764-3739
401 S. Balsam Street • P.O. Drawer 1579 - Moses Lake, WA 98837 • www.cityofmi.com
RESOLU'T'ION NO. 3764
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE .ELECTION OF THE
CITY TO OPERATE ITS OWN HOMELESS PROGRAM
UNDER CHAPTER 43.185 RCW.
RC;CrrALS:
I . In 2005. the Washington State Legislature enacted the Homelessness Housing and
Assistance Act, Chapter 43. 1 85C RCW, to recognize that the fiscal and societal costs of
homelessness are high for both the public and private sectors, and that ending
homelessness should be a goal for state and local government.
2. RCW 43. l 850.080 authorizes cities to assert responsibility 11or homeless housing within
its borders by forwarding a resolution to the legislative authority of the county stating its
intention and its commitment to operate a separate homeless housing program.
3. The City of Moses Lake shall then receive a percentage of the surcharges assessed under
K'W 36.22.179 and RCW 36.22.1791 equal to the percentage of the City's local portion
of the real estate excise tax collected by Grant County and may also then apply separately
li-jr homeless housing program grants.
4. The City of Moses Lake additionally plans to pursue Homelessness Housing Grant funds
managed by the Department of Commerce.
5. The City of Moses Lake intends to remain a regional partner with all jurisdictions in the
pursuit of future grant funding opportunities requiring multi jurisdictional partnerships.
RESOLOV ED:
1. That the City of Moses Lake elects to operate its own homeless program and will meet all
regulatory requirements required by the Department of Commerce.
2. That the City Manager be directed to forward a copy ol'this Resolution to the Grant County
Commissioners.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Moses Lake on May 14. 2019.
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Karei1.1.iebrccftt. M Ivor
ATTEST.
Debbie Burke, Cite Clerk -