CC SR 20220215 05 - ADRC Update (aka RPV CAN)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 02/15/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on the City’s Aging and
Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a status report on the Aging and Disability Resource Connection
(ADRC) pilot program;
(2) Rename the ADRC to the RPV Community Action Network (RPV CAN) and
approve the proposed program adjustments; and
(3) Authorize Staff to publish the RPV CAN Membership Survey.
FISCAL IMPACT: Neighborhood Captains will receive background checks provided by
Livescan services. The estimated cost is $200 at $20/volunteer.
Costs associated with these services is allocated as part of the
current Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget for all City Live Scan services.
Amount Budgeted: $200
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): 101-400-1450-5101 (General Fund – Human Resources/Professional/Technical Service)
ORIGINATED BY: McKenzie Bright, Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. June 15, 2021 staff report
B. Draft survey questions (page B-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On June 15, 2021, the City Council authorized Staff to implement the City’s Aging and
Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) pilot program with the intent to provide referrals
to available resources for older and disabled residents and their families and es tablish a
network of voluneers to provide simple services for those residents, and directed Staff to
report back to provide a status report (see Attachment A).
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During the pilot stage, Staff sought to prepare resources for public dissemination as well
as trial proposed programs such as the Handyworker Program to connect ADRC
“members” with volunteers to conduct minor repairs such as changing light bulbs and
replacing smoke alarm batteries. The pilot program also solicited volunteers for the
Support System Program which would provide check-ins and companionship for errands,
as well as the Cyber Squad Program to provide basic technical assistance.
Over the last eight months, the City received four volunteer applications and two
membership applications. Both membership applicants were directed to existing local
resources, as their requests were beyond what the City’s volunteers could provide,
including substantial brush clearing services and regular transportation services. The
intention for the City’s volunteers was for smaller, less frequent member needs,
particularly in the beginning stages without a substantial volunteer network to provide full -
scale coverage.
Additionally, in the implementation of the program, a local nonp rofit reached out to the
City to express concerns that the City’s volunteer program may conflict with its similar
programs.
Renaming ADRC to RPV Community Action Network (RPV CAN) with Proposed Program
Adjustments
In light of this, Staff proposes minor modifications to the ADRC program which include: 1)
transitioning from volunteer-based services to existing service-providers (i.e. County
programs and services); and 2) transitioning the ADRC to focus on public safety and
emergency preparedness, rather than development of direct volunteer services.
Additionally, at the recommendation of the City’s Emergency Preparedness Committee
(EPC), Staff recommends the name of the program be amended to the RPV Community
Action Network (RPV CAN) to be more inclusive and welcoming, particularly as the term
“aging” may discourage some residents from utilizing the services. All residents are
encouraged to join RPV CAN, but the organization will continue to focus on older and
disabled residents to ensure that their needs are accounted for in emergency planning.
Members of the public can continue to reach out to the RPV CAN Coordinator to receive
information on local nonprofit, county, and state resources that best meet their needs, as
one of the primary focuses of RPV CAN will be to provide referrals to resources for older
and disabled residents and their families.
The second primary focus of RPV CAN will be to supplement the Alert SouthBay system
by collecting emergency information from residents to aid in emergency planning efforts
and to establish an emergency network, offering a framework to connect neighborhoods
with emergency information, encourage neighborhood preparedness, and establish a
communication chain of command between residents and the City in the event of a major
emergency.
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The original ADRC member-volunteer structure will continue to apply to the RPV CAN
emergency network, as it will rely on volunteer Neighborhood/District Captains to assess
their neighborhood’s needs, receive support from the City, and implement proposed
strategies to help make their neighborhoods safer. Staff anticipates this Captain structure
can serve as the mechanism for providing or connecting other neighbors with one-time
volunteer-based assistance, such as replacing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries.
After passing a background check, Neighborhood and District Captains will receive
training from City Staff and City partners on emergency preparedness, disaster response,
and communications. Captains will be provided with information to be able to train their
respective neighborhoods on the fundamentals of what they have learned. Staff will
conduct periodic drills with Captains and with neighborhoods to provide opportunities to
practice what is learned in training, to better prepare residents for a disaster.
Staff discussed the RPV CAN framework with Rancho Palos Verdes Neighborhood
Watch (RPV NW) Coordinator Gail Lorenzen. RPV NW Coordinator Lorenzen agreed to
share the program with the Neighborhood Watch network after it is approved by the City
Council. Where Neighborhood Watch focuses on public safety, as it relates to interactions
with the Sheriff’s Department, RPV CAN is solely emergency-focused, operating in a
different capacity from RPV NW. RPV CAN will augment the City’s existing emergency
preparedness and emergency communications plans and efforts. Staff hopes that
Neighborhood Watch Block Captains will be interested in participating as an RPV CAN
Neighborhood or District Captain, and Staff looks forward to continuing to find ways to
collaborate with Neighborhood Watch, and develop future plans.
In summary, RPV CAN will establish a communications framework between neighbors
and the City that could be used in the event of an emergency to augment the City’s
existing emergency communications infrastructure, such as Alert South Bay, as well as
to help communicate emergency preparedness best practices and enourage
neighborhood connectedness. All residents are invited to join the RPV CAN network, with
concerted efforts towards older and disabled residents to assist with the City’s emergency
planning procedures and evaluate needs of residents who may need additional
assistance in the event of an emergency.
RPV CAN Membership Survey
Staff has prepared a draft survey for the City Council’s consideration, in accordance with
City Council Policy No. 2, to collect emergency information as well as residents’ interest
in volunteering to be a neighborhood leader with the emergency network (see Attachment
B). The EPC reviewed the survey on November 18, 2021, and recommended it be brought
before the City Council. Staff and/or volunteers will verify the continued accuracy of
information provided on an annual basis.
The digital survey will be distributed via a link through the City’s networks, including the
City website, social media pages, City Manager’s Weekly Administrative Report, and the
Quarterly Newsletter. If it is determined that a separate mailed survey would be
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preferable, Staff will return for budget authorization to print and mail surveys to select
households. Staff anticipates that as RPV CAN continues to grow, word of mouth from
neighbors will also assist in encouraging additional respondents.
Once a survey is completed, Staff will advise residents on how they can pick up a File of
Life card to detail their medical information for first responders and/or a special needs
advisory sticker that informs first responders that an individual in the home or vehicle has
special needs and may not be aware of the danger or may resist help. These items will
be provided at no cost to residents.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Community Outreach Meetings
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Staff have been planning to host
neighborhood pop-up discussions, partnering with neighborhoods/homeowners
associations (HOAs) to meet the community and discuss public safety topics. RPV CAN
will also be discussed at these events, with Staff available to help community members
sign up.
The first Public Safety Pop-Up event was scheduled at Del Cerro Park with the Del Cerro
Homeowners Association (HOA) and adjacent neighborhood groups; however, due to the
rise in COVID-19 cases associated with the Omicron variant, this event was postponed
and will be rescheduled when it is safe to do so (most likely in March 2022). Staff
anticipates having quarterly Public Safety Pop-Ups in neighborhoods throughout the City.
Staff will work with the Rancho Palos Verdes Council of Homeowners Associations
(CHOA), individual HOAs, and neighborhoods without formal HOAs to schedule future
Public Safety Pop-Ups. Neighborhoods interested in having an event in a park near them
or on their block are encouraged to contact the City. All residents will be invited to attend
the Public Safety Pop-Ups.
In the development of the RPV CAN modifications, Staff discussed the new program with
executive staff from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Village and Peninsula Seniors , as well
as Neighborhood Watch. Each organization will be sharing RPV CAN information with
their members residing in the City, and the City will continue to provide referrals to the
organizations where appropriate. Staff looks forward to continuing to work together with
the Palos Verdes Peninsula Village, Peninsula Seniors, and Neighborhood Watch.
The program was also reviewed by the Lomita Sheriff’s Station and Los Angeles County
Fire Department. Both Captain Powers and Interim Chief Bennett did not have any
concerns, and Chief Bennet reiterated that residents are to still follow all notifications
made by first responders. This will be clarified during trainings.
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CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the formal launch of RPV CAN with a
renewed focus on emergency preparedness and approve the RPV CAN membership
survey to be distributed to residents (Attachment B). The survey is the first step to
establishing the City’s emergency network, encouraging neighbors-assisting-neighbors
in the event of an emergency.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not authorize the official launch of RPV CAN and discontinue the ADRC
pilot program.
2. Identify other programs and services to include in RPV CAN.
3. Identify revised language to add to the survey.
4. Do not authorize the distribution of the survey.
5. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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RPV COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
(RPV CAN) SURVEY
As part of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ emergency preparedness planning efforts,
the City seeks to collect information from its residents in advance of an emergency.
Rancho Palos Verdes residents are encouraged to complete this survey and join the RPV
Community Action Network (RPV CAN). The RPV CAN is a framework to connect
neighborhoods with emergency information, encourage neighborhood preparedness, and
establish a communication chain of command between residents and the City in the event
of a major emergency.
Information will be kept confidential and maintained as a database by the City. Please
note that the City cannot guarantee that participants in the RPV CAN program will be
contacted through the network. First responders use a variety of methods to communicate
and implement emergency protocols; always follow their directions. Please direct
questions to Administrative Analyst McKenzie Bright at mbright@rpvca.gov or 310-544-
5305.
1.Name:
2.Home Address:
3.Mailing Address (if different):
4.Phone Number:
5.Email:
6.Emergency Contact Information:
a.Name:
b.Address:
c.Phone Number:
d.Email:
7.Living Situation (select one):
a.Live alone
b.Live with at least one other person (e.g., relative, friend, caregiver, etc.)
c.Other: ____________
8.Primary Language:
9.Preferred method of communication (select all that apply):
a.Phone call
b.Text
c.Email
d.In-person
e.American Sign Language (ASL)
10. Do you have pets?
a.Yes
b.No
11. Primary method of transportation (select all that apply):
a.Personal vehicle
B-1
b.Friend, relative, or caregiver vehicle
c.Public transportation
d.Rideshare services
e.Not Applicable (e.g., homebound)
f.Other: ________________
12. Do you need assistance to get out of your house?
a.Yes
b.No
13. Do you use any mobility assistance devices (e.g., cane, wheelchair, etc.)?
a.Yes
b.No
14. If you are medically dependent on electricity, have you signed up for Southern
California Edison’s Medical Baseline Allowance Program?
a.Yes
b.No
c.Not Applicable
15. Do you have a three-day emergency kit prepared? (See https://www.ready.gov/kit
for how to build a kit)
a.Yes
b.No
16. If you are completing this form on someone’s behalf, please indicate your name,
relationship to the individual, and your best contact information:
17. RPV CAN relies on neighborhood volunteers, known as Neighborhood Captains,
to help communicate emergency preparedness information from the City to their
neighbors. All training will be provided and no prior experience is necessary.
Additional information on RPV CAN and becoming a Neighborhood Captain is
available at rpvca.gov/CAN. Would you like to volunteer to be a Neighborhood
Captain?
a.Yes
b.No
18. If Yes is selected:
a.Please provide a brief description of why you would like to be a
Neighborhood Captain:
b.Please describe your previous volunteer experience or other applicable
experience:
19. Can the information you have provided in this survey be shared with your
Neighborhood Captain?
a.Yes
b.No
20. Special Requests or Additional Information:
B-2