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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2016 Item 12, BryantCOUNCIL MEETING: ITEM NO.: I I - t5 - 1 RECEIVED NOV 07 2016 From: SLO Bryant [ Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2016 10:32 AM To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org> Cc: Jill Bolster -White < Subject: Nov. 15, 2016, City Council Agenda: Bishop Street Studios appeal TO: San Luis Obispo City Council CC: Jill Bolster -White, Executive Director, Transitions — Mental Health Association FROM: Jeff and Marj Bryant, RE: November 15, 2016, Council Meeting Agenda Item - "Bishop Street Studios" Appeal We encourage City Council members to uphold the results of the recent study, review, and approval (September 19, 2016) by the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) and the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) of the Bishop Street Studios project proposed by Transitions — Mental Health Association (TMHA). We write to reassure the City Council, the appellants, and any other concerned residents that - TMHA is a good, responsible, capable, and accountable neighbor. - The type of project TMHA plans for Bishop Street Studios project is working well elsewhere.* - TMHA is a highly qualified proponent for the Bishop Street Studios project. Please let TMHA move ahead with the overdue resurrection of the county's abandoned orphanage. Removing the blight at the top of Bishop Street concretely improves both the city and the lives of dozens of people now insecurely housed because of their mental health histories and needs for specialized support. The appeal letter stereotypes future residents of Bishop Street Studios, referring to "lifestyle and behavioral challenges that accompany the proposed residents and their visitors". Stereotype and unsubstantiated fear of low - probability future risks from one group of residents by another group does not legitimize policies that are equivalent to prejudgments of guilt by history (Read: "that accompany".) and guilt by association (Read: "their visitors".). For 35 years, we have observed** TMHA creating a dynamic constellation of attributes that today deliver high- quality therapeutic, developmental, and housing services to its clients. These attributes include vision, commitment, leadership, management, professional services, funds development, community relations, and partnerships with government and non-governmental organizations. Historically, TMHA does good and vital work in the community, is a good partner with others in serving its clients, and is a good neighbor in its residential work. Respectfully submitted by Jeff and Marj Bryant on November 4, 2016 The perspectives and qualifications behind our statements* and observations** * Between 2000 and 2010, I, Jeff Bryant, was Senior Program Officer for the Community Foundation for Monterey County (www.cfmco.ors). A big part of my work was reviewing over 100 grant applications annually and writing a report and recommendation for each one to the foundation's board. Reviews included reading about best practices in applicants' fields; direct analysis of applicants' programs, past results, and business and financial operations; plus insights from onsite interviews with agency staff, directors and clients. In five different years I reviewed applications from Interim, Inc., an integrated adult mental health service provider similar to TMHA. Three of Interim's applications were for residential projects like Bishop Street Studios. Happily, all three projects remain successful. ** Since 1981, we, Jeff and Marj Bryant, have supported TMHA's mission, followed its progress, and ultimately rented our house in SLO to TMHA as a home for its clients. During these 35 years, we have had over 200 positive interactions with TMHA staff and clients and only one negative interaction with a neighbor due to a misunderstanding which staff resolved within two days.