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CC SR 20220607 L - One Stop Center Report CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 06/07/2022 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar AGENDA TITLE: Consideration and possible action to receive and file a report on virtual access for intergovernmental services. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Receive and file a report on “one-stop” centers for intergovernmental services and virtual centers. FISCAL IMPACT: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number(s): N/A ORIGINATED BY: McKenzie Bright, Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: At the City Council meeting on February 2, 2022, Councilmember Cruikshank requested that a report be brought back regarding the development of a one-stop center on the eastern side of the City for public access to intergovernmental services. There have been discussions to develop a one-stop center along Western Avenue at the Staff level for a number of years. On January 27, 2022, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) provided a presentation to the SBCCOG Board of Directors which, among other things, encouraged city leaders to consider ways to develop sustainable infrastructure, particularly in relationship to the utilization of the South Bay Fiber Network (SBFN). One proposed example was a one-stop center in the Terraces shopping center in the 28900 block of Western Avenue, to provide a centralized location for Peninsula and San Pedro residents to access Los Angeles County services. The SBFN is a dedicated fiber-optic network in the South Bay, connecting city halls and other local regional public agencies with high -speed, low-cost broadband connectivity, 1 including the Rancho Palos Verdes Civic Center. While the SBFN is intended to expand, the Terraces shopping center is not included in the network at this time. SBCCOG staff monitors for grants which could potentially fund a one-stop center in the Terraces shopping center, but there are not currently any grants which the City would be competitive for, as most, if not all, grants that would be applicable for this project prioritize funding for disadvantaged communities. A remote kiosk to provide local government resources on the east side of the Cit y has been considered by the City Council and City Staff for a number of years but not actively pursued due to logistics and cost concerns. However, City Staff routinely connects residents with intergovernmental services where appropriate through the course of daily activities. Most state and county services are available online, and due to the size and diversity of services provided by the state and county, digital connections are more user- friendly, cost effective, and feasible than a physical location. Therefore, Staff will continue to encourage residents to utilize existing City resources, particularly digital resources. This meets the SBCCOG’s recommended action of utilizing the SBFN and the combination of community services as an environmentally conscious use of space and resources, as residents can utilize existing infrastructure at City facilities to virtually access multiple services at the same time. Utilization of Virtual Resources for a One-Stop Center Currently on the City website, Staff provides links to intergovernmental resources related to City services, as appropriate. For example, within the City’s Code Enforcement page on animal control services, the website provides links and phone numbers for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, which the City contracts with to provide such services. Additionally, the RPV Community Action Network (RPV CAN) pages provide links to relevant state, county, and local nonprofit services for older and disabled residents. Similar referrals are provided across the City website. Following direction provided by the City Council on February 1, 2022, a county department has been highlighted in the City Manager’s Weekly Administrative report to help residents understand what resources are provided by the county. Utilizing the Guide to County Services as a reference for departments to highlight, there will be over 40 unique spotlights. During the City Council Goals Workshop on March 9, 2022, a suggestion was made to provide a virtual directory to county, state, federal, and various private services. Where appropriate, links are included on the City website. Due to the breadth of services provided by other agencies, a comprehensive directory on the City’s website of all services provided by all agencies would not result in an intuitive or user-friendly experience. At the state level, there are over 230 departments, offices, or boards; at the federal level, there are over 625 agencies. Furthermore, residents likely have less direct interaction with higher levels of government, as many of the services they interact with on 2 a routine basis are provided by the City or county. Staff recommends that the existing directories and links to county/state/federal services continue to be maintained and developed, but not to provide a comprehensive directory of all intergovernmental services available. For private companies, the City lists information for all companies that hold a City Business License on an annual basis. Any business that does business in the City – either permanently or for single products, excluding online purchases – is required to hold a City Business License. Utilizing the SBFN to encourage residents to utilize Wi -Fi at City Hall helps enhance resident connectivity and minimize vehicular trips, providing environmentally-conscious use of space and resources. Staff will continue to expand the City’s digital resources to best connect resources to broader services where feasible and beneficial. CONCLUSION: In place of planning for a physical space for a one-stop intergovernmental service center, Staff will continue to use existing digital, print, and interpersonal resources to help connect residents to services at all levels of government. 3