HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-05 City CouncilCity of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:
DATE:JANUARY 5, 1998 CMR:103:98
COMMUNITY
SERVICES
SUBJECT:PAAIRS INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE
This is an informational report to apprise Council of the current situation with the
information and referral service provided by Peninsula Area Information and Referral
Service (PAAIRS). No Council action is required.
DISCUSSION
In November 1997, the City’s Office of Human Services was notified by PAAIRS that its
Information and Referral Specialist had resigned from the agency. After several meetings
with City staff and PAAIRS Board Members, PAAIRS informed the City that it would no
longer provide any information and referral services as specified in its 1997-98 contract.
Consequently, the City’s contract with PAAIRS for Information and Referral Services was
officially terminated on November 30, 1997.
In order to accommodate the public, PAAIRS is referring incoming telephone calls to the
United Way agency in Santa Clara, which provides a countywide information and referral
service.
During this time, City staff is assessing its options for the long-term provision of information
and referral service. Several alternatives are being reviewed, including the possibility of
dividing the services among more than one agency, to fully utilize the resources already
available within agencies that serve the Palo Alto area.
Staff anticipates that it will return to Council with a funding recommendation for
information and referral service during the 1998-99 budget process.
PREPARED BY: Richard James, Administrator
CMR:103:98 Page 1 of 2
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
PAUL THILTGEN
Director, Community Services
E K’9" SON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:103:98 Page 2 of 2