HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/6/2023 Item 4a, Kitson
From:Wiberg, Daisy
Sent:Thursday, August 10, 2023 2:42 PM
To:stevkits@gmail.com
Cc: Kyle
Subject:RE: Closing Palm St
Hi Steve & Nancy,
Thank you for reaching out to share your concerns. I’ve included feedback on your questions and concerns
below:
1. Why not use the parking lot at the Veterans hall – The Veterans Hall is owned by the County, not the City of
SLO. We met with the Department Director of Veteran Services as the Veterans Memorial Building and they are
in support of the City using the proposed section of Palm Street as an interim location for our Safe Parking
Program.
2. What about trash and bathrooms ? The City will provide a portable restroom, wash station and trash
dumpster on site – and the portable restroom and trash dumpster will be locked outside of the 7pm-7am
program hours.
3.Concern about how long a person can stay? The Safe Parking Program provides overnight parking from 7pm to
7am. CAPSLO is the program manager and their staff are on-site to check in participants from 6-7pm each
evening and to check them out between 6:45am-7am each morning. Participants sign an agreement, which
stipulates they will not park within 1/2 mile radius of the Safe Parking site outside of program hours.
4. How many vehicles will be permitted? This site will host no more than 20 vehicles or 10 vehicles and 5 RVs.
5. Will they be cooking or tenting ... fire issues? No cooking, tents, or fires are allowed on site. Participants
cannot use or possess any drugs, alcohol or weapons on site. No fires of any kind are allowed. No music can be
played that is audible outside of their vehicle and a noise ordinance is in effect beginning at 10pm.
6. Police and Mental health providers presence for possible secondary rise in adjacent home invasions
/burglaries and needs of the mentally ill. The Safe Parking Program is managed by CAPSLO who provides case
management for participants and assists with referrals to services. We will also request SLOPD night patrol in
that location for the duration of the interim use. I would like to note that our Safe Parking Program participants
have developed a sense of community amongst themselves, and we have several elderly participants and
participants who have jobs and/or are working towards securing jobs and housing. Our existing Safe Parking
Program has helped 36 individuals/households secure permanent housing, 9 individuals have been reunified
with family, and 5 individuals have found jobs.
7. Why was the other site closed? Our Railroad Safe Parking site was implemented under the Statewide
Emergency Declaration during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we had 180-days to operate the program at that site
following the emergency order being lifted on February 28, 2023.
Please reach out if you have any additional questions or concerns, and I would be happy to connect on the
phone if that would be helpful.
Thanks,
Daisy
1
Daisy Wiberg
pronouns she/her/hers
Homelessness Response Manager
Community Development
919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3218
E dwiberg@slocity.org
T 805.781.7025
slocity.org
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From: Steve Kitson <
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2023 8:44:50 AM
To: Bell, Kyle <KBell@slocity.org>
Subject: Closing Palm St
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
AS a resident on Palm street one block from the Veterans Hall, I have a few concerns.
1. Why not use the parking lot at the Veterans hall
2. What about trash and bathrooms ?
3.Concern about how long a person can stay?
4. How many vehicles will be permitted?
5. Will they be cooking or tenting ... fire issues?
6. Police and Mental health providers presence for possible secondary rise in adjacent home invasions /burglaries and
needs of the mentally ill.
7. Why was the other site closed?
Steve and Nancy Kitson
2