v . 0 03 P a g e | 1
December 5, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Policy Discussion: Continuation of October 5 Council Workshop Discussion on Potential Policy Options to Address the Impacts of Unsheltered in Chula Vista
Report Number: 23-0298
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Housing and Homeless Services
G.C. § 84308: No
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
City Council continue discussion o f policy options implemented by other jurisdictions in response to the unsheltered crisis.
SUMMARY
On October 5, 2023 the City Council held a workshop on the state of unsheltered in Chula Vista. Tonight, staff is returning within the sixty day window as directed by City Council, to continue the discussion surrounding four policy areas of: 1) Establish Licensing Process for Outreach Contractors & Hotel/Motel Voucher Use; 2) Adopt Targeted Restrictions on Sitting/Lying/Sleeping on Public Property; 3) Adopt Targeted Regulations for Storing Items on Public Property; and 4) Amen d Recreational Vehicle Permit Program to Incorporate a Vehicle Dwelling System. In addition, staff is bringing forward a policy discussion related to abandoned shopping carts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is required.
P a g e | 2
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
At the October 25, 2023 meeting of the Housing and Homeless Advisory Commission, staff provided a n overview of the workshop that was held October 5.
DISCUSSION
At the Council Workshop on the State of Unsheltered in Chula Vista staff from the Department of Housing & Homeless Services and the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) provided an overview of the HOT structure, partners, funding, services/programming/tools, and current related laws. With over 786 persons counted unsheltered in September 2023 during the City’s independent count, the City Council directed staff to return for further policy discussion surrounding the following areas:
1. Establish Licensing Process for Outreach Contractors & Hotel/Motel Voucher Use – Example of City of El Cajon was provided.
2. Adopt Targeted Restrictions on Sitting/Lying/Sleeping on Public Property – Examples of other jurisdictions that have adopted were cited from the Cities of San Diego, Poway, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.
3. Adopt Targeted Regulations for Storing Items on Public Property - Example of other jurisdictions that have adopted were cited from transit agencies Cal trans and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), as well as the City of Los Angeles.
4. Amend Recreational Vehicle Permit Program to Incorporate a Vehicle Dwelling System - Example of other jurisdictions that have adopted were cited from the City of Los Angeles which has extensive and specific prohibitions on various types of vehicles using roadways.
Staff is returning this evening to continue to conversation around these four policy areas as directed on October 5. In addition, staff has recently learned that stores in the Chula Vista area that were once contracting for shopping cart retrieval are no longer and as a result there has been an influx of abandoned carts that have been retrieved by Park Rangers. The Cities of Carson and Glendale have recently adopted laws to hold businesses responsible for abandoned shopping carts.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current fiscal impact for this item.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact for this item. Should Council direct staff to return with a specific policy, an assessment of associated costs will be made at that time.
P a g e | 3
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Angelica Davis, Homeless Solutions Manager Sergeant Ernesto Pinedo, Community Policing Unit
Stacey Kurz, Director of Housing & Homeless Services