Placer approves contract with MIG for Phase 2 of regional homeless response

To complete Phase 2 of the Placer County Regional Homeless Response, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc., of Berkeley (MIG) during the consent agenda Tuesday. The board initially approved a $195,000 contract with MIG in July 2021 to provide facilitation, planning and technical assistance in the development of the framework for addressing the county's homeless population. According to a July 2021 county news release, MIG's duties included reviewing data from homelessness assistance programs and services and facilitating engagement meetings with the ad-hoc committee comprised of two elected officials each from the county, Auburn, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Loomis and Colfax. The Placer Homelessness Response Emerging Strategies Phase 1 Report, released March 11, was presented to the board on May 10. Carolyn Verheyen of MIG shared potential strategies within the report included exploring emergency shelter in South Placer, safe park or camp locations and a sobering center with services and support. According to the staff report, the contract is needed to complete Phase 2 of the response, which will include building upon the potential strategies identified in the first phase, implementation and funding of an action plan. During the Phase 1 report overview, Verheyen confirmed Phase 2 will also include community town halls, survey distribution and assembling a representative planning group. The board's approval of the $230,070 contract with MIG also prevents a delay in Phase 2 of services beginning that could be caused through a Request for Proposal process. The staff report notes Placer County Procurement Policy Section 3.5(B) allows for an exception to competitive solicitation, as MIG's work falls within the criteria of "expert and professional services which involved extended analysis, the exercise of discretion and independent judgment in their performance, and an advanced, specialized type of knowledge, expertise or training customarily acquired by either a prolonged course of study or equivalent experience." The Placer Homelessness Response Emerging Strategies Phase 1 Report can be viewed at placer.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/59123/Final-Placer-Homelessness-Response-Emerging-Strategies-Phase-One-Report.