HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/1988, 1 - CONSIDERATION OF CITY HALL AS A PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF POINT FOR THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION'S ""BUS PROGRAM"" FOR HOMELESS PERSONS."MEETING DATE:
i►IN�I ►►���`���Illljp ll�l`I City of san LUIS OBISPO 9- 2a - -88
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITS NU !
FROM: Toby Ross, Assistant City Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Consideration of City Hall as a pick -up and drop -off
point for the Economic Opportunity Commission's "bus
program" for homeless persons.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Review alternative approaches to the bus program
pick -up and drop -off point, and provide direction
to the Economic Opportunity Commission and City
staff.
BACKGROUND:
On May 3, 1988, the City Council directed the Human Relations
Commission to consider pick -up and drop -off points for the Salvation
Army's bus program for homeless persons (now operated by the Economic
Opportunity Commission) and to present a recommendation for a new
site to the City Council.
At that time, the Salvation Army (having taken over the old
Zedakah House bus program) was using Mitchell Park as their pick -up
site. The City had received numerous complaints from residents in
the Mitchell Park area, who were concerned about what they perceived
as the negative impacts of the situation on their neighborhood.
The Salvation Army worked with the HRC and City staff to
identify possible alternative sites. At a special meeting of the
Human Relations Commission on May 28, 1988, the HRC considered a list
of alternative sites:
1.) The Post Office parking lot
2.) The Amtrak terminal area
3.) The Salvation Army's Church, Chorro /Islay
4.) City Hall
5.) Rotate site monthly
After considerable discussion, the HRC voted to recommend to the
Council that the Amtrak terminal area be used as the pick -up point.
At its regular meeting of July 19, 1988, the City Council took
several actions related to recommendations by the Human Relations
Commission, including a recommendation to change the bus program
pick -up and drop -off point.
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1111iifVilll1K city of San tuts OBISPO
Ini i COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Following discussion, the Council voted to move the pick -up
point to City Hall. Since that time, the bus program (now being
operated by the Economic Opportunity Commission) has been using City
Hall for this purpose.
On September 4, 1988, Councilmember Reiss asked that this issue
be reconsidered by the City Council.
ANALYSIS•
Several complaints regarding the City Hall pick -up site have
been received. The Public Works Department has requested that the
location be changed, citing a large increase in vandalism, garbage,
and other problems associated with the bus program clients
(Attachment A). The operator of the bus program has requested that
the site be moved back to Mitchell Park (Attachment B). The homeless
continue to use the park as a gathering place during the day,
regardless of the bus pick -up site.
ALTERNATIVES•
1. The Council may direct the EOC bus program to continue using
City Hall as its pick -up and drop -off point.
2. The Council may direct the EOC bus program to begin using a
specific alternative site as its pick -up and drop -off point.
3. The Council may allow the EOC bus program to make its own
determination as to the most appropriate pick -up and drop -off site.
4. The Council may choose to take no action at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review the alternatives to the City Hall pick -up site, and
provide direction to the Economic Opportunity Commission and staff.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Public Works Department memo
B. Letter from Salvation Army to City
C. Letter from City Employees Association
TR /bv
HRCII:shelsite
August 11, 1988
MEMORANDUM
ir
city of sAn tuis oBispo
990 Palm Street /Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100
TO: Dave Romero
FROM: Lane Wilson
SUBJECT: Homeless drop -off at City Hall
Steve Dunlap, City Parks Maintenance Worker, has spoken to me about
this problem. These people are being dropped off at City Hall at
7:00 a.m. and then proceed to use the bus stop as a restroom. He is
irritated at having to clean up this type of human waste mess and I
agree; he shouldn't have to do this. I am suggesting the following:
1. Find another drop -off point; perhaps several different drop -off
points to spread the impact.
2. The sponsors be informed about this problem and be asked to solve
the problem.
3. The sponsors inform the program users that this behavior is
unacceptable; and, if they like the program, they should control
the people who are causing the problems or the program should be
changed.
Phil Leo has also experienced an increased problem in the restrooms
at City Hall. Toilets and sinks are plugged by vandals, and they
leave a very dirty mess in the restroom as if they took a bath in the
sink.
We, in the Parks and Buildings Division, are tired of dealing with
this type of abuse of city facilities and the constant clean up after
abnormal and /or just plain abuse. What bothers me even more is the
intimidation of some citizens by others. Please forward this
memorandum to whomever is responsible for, and can solve, this
problem.
dh
b /wilson /homeless
1-3
August 12., 1988
The Honorable Mayor Ron Dunin
and Council Members
City of San Luis Obispo
P.O. Box 8100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 -8100
Dear Mayor Dunin:
y uenotes action by lead Person
Respond by:
9 Council
C
h Atty.
Clerk -odg.
S. p1e4Wn0-s4A_'
In our continuing efforts to advise you and the City Council as to concerns and
direction of our homeless effort I want to make you aware of the problems we
have encountered with the moving of our pick -up /drop -off paint from Mitchell
Park to the City Hall bus stop on August 1:
We have experienced a significant decline in shelter use, which has been most
noticed in two groups. The first is the most chronically mentally ill and
alcoholics who are unable to make the walk to the bus stop and thus are once
again spending their nights in Mitchell Park. As such we feel they become more
of a concern to the residents of the Mitchell Park area and a direct tflreat to
their own survival. Without being overly alarmist these are the most fragile of
the homeless population and without adequate evening shelter we are experiencing
numerous problems (arrests /hospitalizations). If this situation cannot be
reversed we may well be experiencing the death of one or more individuals over
the age of 55 in the park.
A second group, numbering approximately six individuals, are now seeking shelter
in the Mission Plaza area while awaiting the van and creating problems for the
police, persons visiting the Plaza, and the homeless themselves. Some are not
making it to the bus at all, thus ending up spending their nights in the Plaza
or elsewhere. We are already aware of complaints from individuals who frequent
the downtown area about the homeless who congregate while awaiting van
transportation to the shelter.
We, of course, are most concerned about the ultimate welfare of our clients,
however, we also recognize the problems these diversions create for the Police
Department and the City. Because of our concern for our clients we hope you will
understand our need to move the pick -up and drop -off point back to Mitchell
Park. We understand that this will create concerns in neighborhood residents and
we do pledge to work with those neighbors on either a group or individual basis.
As you know we are committed to the long -term goal of removing the homeless from
our streets and our parks. However, at this point in time the moral and ethical
concerns for the health of our clients is simply our foremost concern.
Sincerely,
Toni Flynn
Shelter Director
Salvation Army RECEIVED
AUG 2 5 1988
CRY CLERK
SAN LLPSCM SPO C16
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F Imo,
August 10, 1988
John Dunn
City Administrative Officer
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Dear John:
At our last quarterly meeting between Association Representatives
and City Management Staff, we briefly discussed problems
encountered thus far and future concerns regarding the homeless
being dropped off and picked up at City Hall. City staff felt you
would be the more appropriate individual to address.
Following are complaints received from numerous employees:
1) Lack of Security - The drop off time is 7:00 a.m. and the pick
up time is at 8.:30 p.m. City Hall is normally unlocked at 7:00
a.m. and there are-relatively few employees here at that hour. In
the evening hours it is a scary situation, especially for females
working late at night. It isn't so bad when there are meetings
because of the number of people in the building. However, even on
these evenings it is difficult for the janitor to make sure all
areas of the building are secured. It is not unusual for employees
to work beyond Midnight and be left alone in the building.
2) Sanitation & Health - Since City Hall has been used as a drop
off and pick up point, we have had complaints of some of these men
and women defecating and urinating in the bus shelter and
surrounding public areas. Two in particular have been caught by at
least one city employee on a couple of occasions and warned.
3) Children - At the end of August or beginning of September, we
will again be visited by little ones awaiting their buses. These
children.are definitely here between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
4) Panhandling - Employees have advised us that they are refusing
to leave the area once dropped off and are starting to panhandle
around City Hall now.
These are just a ,few of the concerns employees have expressed. We
have no "right" answer, however, we at least have a suggestion.
How about setting up the Police Department as drop off and pick up
point? They are a secured facility. They are close yet not
immediately in a heavy foot traffic area or downtown in the heavily
used bus shelter area and City Hall.
We look forward to hearing from you.
S(lincerely, "+e
vx
Yvonne Hampton
SLACEA President
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mayor Ron Dur.in
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, California
9 "401
Dear Sir:
MEETnvG AGENDA
SEP
DATE 20 as ITEM #
1050 Pisr::o Street
San Luis Obispo, Cal.93401
Se- t^n,.ber 15, 1938
We live at 1050 Pismo Street directly across from Mitchell
Park . and have lived there for '5 years. i`re have seen
11itchell Park go from a nice family park for family picnics
and a nice playground for children to a park for vagrants.
',`:hen we �zo out we are often asked for money so they can 'guy
liquor and dope. The store on the corner of Osos and
-ismo Streets is very handy for them to buy their liquor.
We also wish you would tear down the brick structure on
the corner as it is a gathering place for them when it is
windy or rainy and all kinds of things go on in that
corner as they can't be seen from the street.
�,!e appreciate the police patrolling the park and we have
called them when things get rough. The other evening four
policemen handcuffed five peo;le and took them from the
park. Every few days they take people out of the park.
`le think the nick -up and drop -off of them should be at
Santa. Rosa Park. They can walk to town for their free
meal and that would give them some exercise and take
up some of their time. Their isn't many residents around
Santa Rosa Park and there isn't any liquor store across
the street.
Some of them sleep under the bridge on Santa Rosa Street
and some go to Fare: Soy Kestaura.nt in the morning and
them come to 14fitohell Park for the day.
V,re would appreciate if you would give our suggestions
some consideration.
Yours truly,
? % I
cc: Co.znc ilman Jerry llieiss
cc• ouncilman Allen Settle
RECEIVED ����ZY�
3 E P 2 0 1988
CITY CLERK
SAN LUIS 081500. CA
r
rt<,,t7ING AGENDA
DATE KP 20 AS ITEM #
CONCERNED MITCHELL PARK AREA RESIDENTS
Please plan to attend the City Council meeting Tuesday,
September 20 at 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, 990 Palm
Street. The first item on the agenda is the change „of pick -up
and drop -off of vagrants peopling Mitchell Park.
The residents around the Mitchell Park area have been saddled
with the vagrant problem for the past six years and we feel we
have had enough. Our neighborhood should not be subjected to
this practice again; there are other parks and other areas.that
can be used for this purpose.
Over 300 people have signed petitions concerning Mitchell Park
in the past few years. It appears the city has little regard
for the residents who live in the area surrounding Mitchell
Park.
If you are unable to attend this meeting, please write or
call the following persons voicing your disapproval of using
Mitchell Park as a drop -off point for these vagrants.
Mayor Ron Dunin 549-7117
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Councilman Jerry Reiss 549 -7107
Early morning 7 a.m. or late afternoon
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Councilman Allen Settle 549 -7119
12 noon to 1 p.m. or Mondays, Tuesdays or
Wednesdays after 4 p.m.
Address: City Council
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Thank you for anything you can do to help give Mitchell Park
back to our neighborhood and the tax- paying citizens of San
Luis Obispo.
RECEIVED
SEP 2 0 1985
CJTy CLERK
SAN LUIS CEpSpo. CA
CONCERNED MITCHELL PARK AREA RESIDENTS
Please show this to a neighbor. Thank you.
September 12, 1988
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RECEIVED or Toni Flynn
544 -2401
SEP 2 01988
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PUSS R .gpSR MEETING AGENDA
SAN LUIS OBISPO.CA DATE T2c ee ITEM #
September 20, 1988
The Salvation Army Advisory Board of San Luis Obispo met today and
announced it's recommendation that current shelter services provided by the
Salvation Army discontinue effective October 31, 1988. The Board, in
reaching consensus, expressed concern about the continuation of services
begun last February in what was originally to be a temporary facility on
Kansas Avenue. Due to the lack of running water, cooking facilities,
adequate toilets, heating and lighting, the Board has a real concern for
the health and safety of both the clients and staff housed there overnight.
However, the Board urged the continuation of daytime case management for
the 20 - 30 clients currently served by the Shelter through the funding
year of December 31, 1988.
The Board recommended that the Salvation Army consider continuing the
evening sheltering services only if an appropriate long term facility in a
suitable location can be secured before the end of October to house the
clients and staff. As a related issue, the Board also recommended the
return to the Mitchell Park location for the pick -up and drop -off of
shelter clients thru October 31.
The Salvation Army of San Luis Obispo is committed to continuing to
advocate for dignified and improved conditions for the homeless in our
rwww action by Lead Person Community. ond by:
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P.C. Minutes
August 24, 1988
Page 1.
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AEETING `J-
AGENDA
DATE__ ITEM #
-----------------.----.-----__-----------------_------------ .— .---------- - ----_
Item 5. Public Hearing: � �ZoninQ Regulations Amendment CR 1383.
onsi erasion or adding emergency Shelters fUr t?~ITmeless as a
use to the Zoning Regulations; City of San Luis Obispo, applicant.
-----------------------------------------=--------------------------- - - - - --
Commr. Gerety stepped down.
Dave Moran presented the staff report and recommended the commission
recommend to Council that homeless shelters be allowed in all zones except
R -1 and C /OS subject to commission approval of a use permit.
Chairperson Kourakis opened the public hearing.
Patrick Gerety, Buchon Street, was not against homeless shelters, but felt
the proposal should include R -1 zones.
Chairperson Kourakis closed the public hearing.
Chairperson Kourakis suggested shelters should be in all zones except c /o-
S, with an administrative use permit, with review after 1 year.
Commrs. Hainline and Crotser agreed with Chairperson Kourakis.
Commr. Duerk felt homeless shelters should be treated the same as a group house
and agreed that R -1 zones should be included.
Commr. Crotser moved to recommend the zoning amendment to Council,
to allow homeless shelters in all zones except C /o -s subject to an
administrative use permit and proposed parking standards.
Commr. Schmidt seconded the motion. r
VOTING: AYES - Commrs. Crotser, Schmidt, Duerk, Hainline, Roalman, and
Kourakis.
NOES - None.
ABSENT - Commr. Gerety.
The motion passes.
RECEIVED
SEP 1 6 1988
CITY CLERK
SAN LUISOBISPO CA
Denotes action by lead Person
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0ETING ` r AGENDA
DATE 6EP 20 "88 -A #
We,' the undersigned, citi, s and taxpayers of the C. of San Luis Obispo,
protest the use of Mitcheli Park as a drop -off point , for the vagrants who
are making this area their hangout.
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We; the undersigned, CitiL .s and taxpayers of the C:,_f of San Luis Obispo,
'protest the use of Mitchell Park as a drop -off point for the vagrants who
are making this area their hangout.
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