To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Agreement with the City of San Pablo for Code Enforcement and Homeless Outreach Services for County owned parcel (District I)
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute an Agreement between Contra Costa County and the City of San Pablo; with the City of San Pablo to assume responsibility for Code Enforcement and Homeless Outreach Services on Contra Costa County-owned parcel, Assessor’s Parcel No. 416-102-007. (No fiscal impact)
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
In 2022, the San Pablo Police Department established the Priority Oriented Policing (POP) Unit to tackle homelessness and blight issues and strengthen community relations. Within this unit, the Crisis Response Team (CRT) was formed specifically to support individuals experiencing homelessness and/or mental health crises. CRT works closely with San Pablo’s Code Enforcement Division to coordinate efforts addressing homelessness and blight. As a result of this collaboration, the City has achieved a 30% reduction in homelessness for two consecutive years.
In 2018, the City partnered with Contra Costa County’s Health, Housing, and Homeless Services (H3) to launch contract services for the Coordinated Outreach Referral, Engagement (CORE) homeless outreach program. The successful outcomes in San Pablo can be primarily attributed to the strong coordination among CRT, CORE, and Code Enforcement teams.
The Contra Costa County-owned land located along the south curb line of El Portal Drive, just west of the intersection with Fordham Street (Assessor’s Parcel No. 416-102-007) has become a frequent location for illegal encampments, excessive trash accumulation visible from the road, and fire hazards caused by warming fires in dense vegetation.
Given the demonstrated success of San Pablo’s CRT and its partner agencies, City staff believe San Pablo is better positioned to manage homelessness and blight issues at this location and recommends that the City enter into an agreement with Contra Costa County to assume responsibility for code enforcement and homeless outreach services on this county-owned parcel, whereas, Contra Costa County would retain responsibility for the property's general maintenance and upkeep costs. City staff and County staff have discussed and coordinated on this agreement.
On May 5, 2025, the City Council of the City of San Pablo authorized the City Manager, on behalf of the City of San Pablo, to enter into an agreement with Contra Costa County to provide code enforcement and homeless outreach services to county parcel No. 416-102-007.
Approval of the agreement will allow the City of San Pablo to provide these services.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Contra Costa County would continue to be responsible for the Code Enforcement and Homeless Outreach Services for the parcel which could hinder the collaboration efforts by the San Pablo Police Department and Contra Costa County in the reduction of homelessness in the area.