HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - TEMP HOMLESS SHELTER UPD (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
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DATE: November 25, 1997
City Manager
Item to be presented bl .- Rick Putnam
SUBJECT: TEMPORARY HOMELESS SHELTER UPDATE
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the use of the Merle Norman facility as a temporary homeless shelter from
December 1, 1997, to March 31, 1998; and, approve funds for the shelter in the amount of
$10,000 to be allocated from Council Contingency fund #1240-7401, to be transferred to and paid
out of account #7411-8001.
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On October 21, 1997, the City Council supported plans to implement a temporary homeless
shelter in anticipation of this winter's El Nino conditions. As a result, the City Council pledged
$10,000 towards the implementation of this shelter.
The "El Nino Shelter Coalition," which includes the Santa Clarity Interfaith Council, is currently
going forward with plans to open the "El Nino Shelter." To help with planning, the Coalition
has established the following working task groups: Policy/Staff; Site/Logistics, and Donations.
To date, the Hilton Hotel chain has donated mattresses for the shelter, and St. Stephen's
Episcopal Church is offering use of its seven cots. St. Vincent Church and Light Chiropractic
together have donated more than 150 blankets and an assortment of clothing. In addition, food
donations are being solicited and have been received from local supermarkets.
The El Niho Shelter Coalition plans to open the shelter doors on December 1, 1997. The Shelter
will be open 7 nights a week through March 31, 1998. Shelter hours will be 8 p.m: to 8 a.m.
nightly.
Early efforts to secure a location for the temporary homeless shelter have been extensive;
however, few viable options exist within the City. Sites which have been considered but ruled
out as unavailable include: Industrial center building, the old Newberry's site in Canyon
Country, church buildings, the old Saugus School District site, and the American Cyanamid
building where City Hall was relocated following the 1994 earthquake. City staff is still working
with the American Cyanamid property manager to determine availability.
It appears that the most viable option for the temporary homeless shelter at this time, is the
newly purchased Merle Norman "Canyon Country Recreation Center" (CCRC) location. Building
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and fire inspections are scheduled to ensure code compliances. City staff will continue to seek
alternative sites while the CCRC site is being used.
If the CCRC site is used, the El Nino Shelter Coalition proposes to use a portion of the $10,000
issued by City Council to pay salaries for two part-time "shelter coordinators; who will staff the
shelter from 12 am. to 8 am. each night. The El Nino Shelter Coalition is committed to staffing
the Shelter with volunteers during the hours of 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. each night. Paying staff to
oversee the shelter through the night limits the need for large numbers of volunteers.
Depending on final site determination for the El Nino Shelter, total costs could include portable
toilets and showers, security, code compliance, phone service, supplies, and materials.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
None.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the shelter in the amount of $10,000 will be allocated from Council Contingency fund
#1240-7401, to be transferred to and paid out of account #7411-8001.
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