HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - EL NINO HOMELESS SHELTER (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
March 24, 1998
EL NINO TEMPORARY HOMELESS SHELTER - REQUEST FOR
PROGRAM EXTENSION
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve up to a 30 -day extension of shelter operations based on reports that the
El Nino phenomena is predicted to continue through April. Projected City activities at. the
facility will begin in early May.
On October 21, 1997, the City Council approved the use of the Santa Clarita Sports Complex
as a temporary homeless shelter from December 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998, and allocated
$10,000 towards implementation of the temporary shelter by the El Nino Shelter Coalition.
Since the shelter opened, the average attendance has been twenty guests per night with the
peak of thirty-four guests on February 16, 1998 during the height of the El Nino storms. The
shelter is open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. with two paid staff members and volunteers. The shelter
has served over 1,759 guests with the help of more than 350 volunteers.
The Sheriffs Department reports that there have been no incidents at the shelter. However,
six incidents were reported at outside locations involving people who stated they were "living
at the shelter." Following these off-site arrests, the individuals were not permitted to return
to the shelter.
As of March 10, 1998, no complaints have been received by the City or the Shelter Coalition
from businesses in close proximity to the shelter site. Three complaints were received on
March 11, 1998, following the.City Council Meeting. Minor incidents at the shelter were
handled by the staff and, in all cases, the clients involved were asked to leave the facility and
were not allowed to return.
The master planning process for the Santa Clarita Sports Complex is scheduled to begin in
May 1998. This process will review and analyze current community needs, as well as receive
extensive input from the public. Although no construction activity is currently scheduled for
Building #1, a severe overcrowding problem at the current Corporate Yard has prompted
accelerated planning for alternative yard locations. The central location of the Santa Clarita
Sports Complex offers an ideal operational facility for maintenance divisions such as Parks
Maintenance.
The El Nino Temporary Homeless Shelter Coalition has requested that the shelter be allowed
to operate for the month of April. The Coalition still has $4,000 remaining in their budget, in
large part as a result of donations of food, supplies, volunteer labor, and money. The Coalition
is not requesting additional funding.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
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