The Community Homeless Advisory Board (CHAB) was created to review and provide recommendations on homeless matters including funding, community-wide homeless strategies, and other issues determined by the CHAB. The CHAB consists of six members, two each from the cities of Reno (Jardon and Delgado), Sparks (Lawson and Dahir) and two from Washoe County (Berkbigler and Lucey).

The CHAB began in 2018, evolving from the Transitional Governing Board (TGB) which was established in 2011, the TGB’s purpose was to provide oversight by the three jurisdictions of the operator for the Community Assistance Center.  The CHAB, which replaced the TGB, is intended to serve to provide recommendations and coordination regionally regarding issues of homelessness and the provision of services to the homeless.

At the January 2019, meeting of the CHAB, under Item 6 (Update, discussion, and possible direction regarding Washoe County as the lead agency for homelessness issues), Chairman Bob Lucey (Washoe County) expressed the need for the local jurisdictions to undertake, at the City and County Manager level a thorough review and evaluation of how homeless services are provided.  Commissioner Lucey asked that this review include, at minimum:

• The roles of each local government
• What data should be collected and who is responsible?
• What programs are we going to work on?
• How will all of this be paid for?
• Who is going to contribute and how much?
• Identify what works and what doesn’t work.

Each elected official in attendance (Reno Councilwoman Jardon was absent) commented on the Chair’s (Commissioner Lucey) discussion points.  There was substantial discussion on roles and responsibilities of the different jurisdictions.  This discussion lead to CHAB Chairman Lucey making a motion to direct the two City Managers, County Manager, and Director of Human Services to meet and discuss the organization and delivery of services for the homeless.  This motion was seconded by Commissioner Berkbigler (Washoe County).  Councilman Lawson (Sparks) identified to the board that he and Sparks Councilman Dahir, who represent Sparks on CHAB, do not have the authority to implement the motion and direct the Sparks City Manager to meet regarding CHAB.  Councilman Lawson explained this would require a vote of the Sparks City Council.  It was agreed that each individual jurisdiction would have this discussion and a vote was conducted with the motion being supported unanimously (five to zero). 

This item serves as the opportunity for the Sparks City Council to discuss and possibly act on directing the City Manager to meet with the other managers.

1. Council can direct the City Manager to work with the Reno City Manager, Washoe County Manager, and Director of Human Services regarding the organization and delivery of service for the homeless.
2. Council can modify the direction of the CHAB and provide alternative direction to the City Manager.
3. Council may reject providing direction to the City Manager.

I move to direct the City Manager to coordinate with the Reno City Manager, Washoe County Manager, and Director of Human Services to evaluate and identify possible improvements for delivery of services for the homeless.