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August 18, 2026 Post City Council Agenda
4 participating in Program requirements. Chula Vista may review the Imperial Beach Client’s progress every 30 days to ensure the Client is progress ing toward housing stabilization. If a n Imperial Beach Client’s stay at the Village exceeds 90 days, Chula Vista may implement intensified housing location and exit plan strategies. Additionally, the Village Operator will maintain a report to account for Clients with lengths of stay exceeding 30 days, and include in that report the reasons for the extended stay . The Program at the Village is designed to provide support until a housing option becomes available. However, at any time a Client may be exited from the Village for safety or continual Village violations as outlined in th e “Exit and Readmission Policies” section of the Operating Plan, or as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of Chula Vista.
5.2. Access to Services . Imperial Beach Client acceptance in to the Village will be contingent upon the approval of Chula Vista. Imperial Beach Clients will have access to all Services as deemed appropriate by Chula Vista.
5.3. Tenant-based Rental Assistance . Chula Vista may provide t enant-based rental assistance for interim housing to Imperial Beach Clients for up to twenty -four months subject to Chula Vista’s policies and procedures for tenant-based rental assistance and the availability of funding from Imper ial Beach . Tenant-based rental assistance for Imperial Beach Clients shall prioritize rental units located in Imperial Beach.
5.4. Permanent Housing Plan . During term of the Agreement, Imperial Beach Clients must continue to work directly with Village case managers or City staff to develop and continue with their plan until the next identified housing step has been accomplished.
5.5. Compliance with and Requirements of the Operating Plan. Imperial Beach Clients are subject to the provisions and policies of the Operating Plan during their stay at the Village. All Imperial Beach Clients must be at least 18 years of age and meet the requirements of the Operating Plan.
5.6. Program Exit. Upon exit from the Village, Chula Vista shall not be responsible for any further services provided to Imperial Beach Clients.
6. DISPUTES, DEFAULTS, AND REMEDIES
6.1. General Disputes. Should the Parties be unable to reach a mutual agreement as to any matter related to this Agreement, as an alternative to terminating this Agreement or pursuing litigation, the Parties may mutually agree to refer the dispute to a neutral non-binding arbitrator for resolution.
6.2. Defaults.
a) Notice and Time to Cure. The failure by any Party to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement shall constitute a default. Except as required to protect against further damages, the non-defaulting Party may not institute legal proceedings against the defaulting Party until the non-defaulting Party has provided the defaulting Party with written notice of the default and the cure period has expired. The cure period for any default shall be thirty (30) days after the defaulting Party’s receipt of written notice from the non-defaulting Party that such obligation was not performed. If a default cannot be cured within the cure period set forth in this section, the defaulting Party shall, upon written consent from the non -defaulting party, commence efforts to cure the breach within thirty days of notice, and shall diligently thereafter pursue to cure the default
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5 within a reasonable period of time.
b) Cooperative Resolution. During the cure period set forth in paragraph (a), and prior to pursing any remedies described in this Section, the Parties will attempt, in good faith, to find a mutually agreeable resolution through communicating with each other and attempting to resol ve any substantive problems arising under this Agreement, including challenges arising from funding difficulties, and/or any difficulty with effectively implementing the responsibilities detailed in this Agreement. Communication and attempts to resolve such problems and difficulties prior to pursing available remedies include, but are not limited to, meeting together, amending this Agreement, and/or seeking the assistance of a jointly agreed upon mediator.
c) Non-refund of Program Costs. The payments made by Imperial Beach pursuant to this Agreement shall be used for the Program, and all Parties acknowledge and agree that the development, administration, and operation of the Program, provides an immediate benefit to each Party and that no payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be refunded for any reason other than as specifically authorized herein.
6.4 Administrative Claims Requirements and Procedures. No suit or arbitration shall be brought arising out of this Agreement against Chula Vista or Imperial Beach unless a claim has first been presented in writing and filed with the respective Party and acted upon by the respective Party in accordance with respective Party’s policies and procedures.
6.5 Indemnification. It is agreed that Imperial Beach shall defend, hold harmless, and indemnify Chula Vista and its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers (“Chula Vista Indemnified Parties”) from any and all claims for injuries or damages to persons or property, which arise out of any Services performed under this Agreement and result from the acts or omissions of Imperial Beach, its officers, employees , or agents. This indemnity provision does not include any claims, damages, liability, costs, and expenses arising from the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the Chula Vista Indemnified Parties. Also covered is liability arising from, connected with, caused by or claimed to be caused by the active or passive negligent acts or omissions of t he Chula Vista Indemnified Parties which may be in combination with the active or passive negligent acts or omissions of the Consultant, its employees, agents or officers, or any third party.
7. MISCELLANEOUS
7.1. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, but only in writing signed by both Parties.
7.2. Assignment. Neither Party shall assign any of its rights or responsibilities under this Agreement, nor any part hereof, without the other Party’s prior written consent.
7.3. Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with all exhibits attached hereto and other agreements expressly referred to herein, constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein. All exhibits referenced herein shall be attached hereto and are incorporated herein by reference. All prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, representations, warranties, and statements, oral or written, are superseded.
7.4. Further Assurances. The Parties agree to perform such further acts and to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments as may be reasonably required in order to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the intentions of the Parties.
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6 7.5. Notice. All notices, demands , or requests provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing. All notices, demands, and requests shall be deemed to have been properly given or served if personally served or deposited in the United States mail, addressed to such Party, postage prepaid, registered or certi fied, with return receipt requested, at the addresses identified as follows:
a) Chula Vista
Tiffany Allen, City Manager
City of Chula Vista
276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 691-5036
[email protected]
For Legal Notice Copy to:
City of Chula Vista
City Attorney
276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-691-5037
[email protected]
b) Imperial Beach
Tyler Foltz, City Manager
City of Imperial Beach
825 Imperial Beach Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 628-1354
[email protected]
For Legal Notice Copy to:
Jennifer M. Lyon, City Attorney
City of Imperial Beach
825 Imperial Beach Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 440-4444
[email protected]
7.6. Parties as Independent Contractors. Each Party, at and all times, shall be deemed to be an independent contractor of the other Party. Nothing herein is intended or shall be construed as creating the relationship of employer and employee, or principal and agent, between any Party, or any Party's agents or employees. Each Party shall retain all authority for rendition of services, standards of performance, control of personnel, and other matters incident to the performance of Services under this Agreement. Each Party, and its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers, shall not be considered to be employees of any other Party.
7.7. Governing Law and Venue . This Agreement has been negotiated and executed in the State of California and shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of California. In the event of any legal action to enforce or interpret this Agreement, the sole and exclusive venue shall be a court of competent jurisdiction, located in San Diego, California, and the Parties agree to and hereby submit to the jurisdiction of such court, notwithstanding Code of
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7 Civil Procedure Section 394. Furthermore, the Parties specifically agree to waive any and all rights to request that an action be transferred for trial to another county.
7.8. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, term, or provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, such section, subsection, paragra ph, term, or provision, to the extent the same is valid and enforceable, and all other remaining provisions hereof, shall remain in full force and effect, to the fullest extent possible, and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby to t he extent such are not rendered impractical to perform taking into consideration the purposes of this Agreement.
7.9. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which, when the Parties have signed this Agreement, shall b e deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.
7.10. Electronic Signatures . Each Party agrees that the electronic signatures, whether digital or encrypted, of the Parties included in this Agreement are i ntended to authenticate this writing and to have the same force and effect as manual signatures. Electronic Signature means any electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed and adopted by a Party with the intent to sign such record, including facsimile or email electronic signatures, pursuant to the California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Cal. Civ.
Code §§ 1633.1 to 1633.17) as amended from time to time.
(End of page. Signature page to follow.)
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8 SIGNATURE PAGE
AGREEMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF
BRIDGE SHELTER AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, by executing this Agreement where indicated below, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach agree that they have read and understood all terms and conditions of the Agreement, that they fully agree and consent to bound by same, and that they are freely entering into this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
IMPERIAL BEACH CITY OF CHULA VISTA
BY:________________________________ BY: ________________________________
TYLER FOLTZ TIFFANY ALLEN
CITY MANAGER CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM APPROVED AS TO FORM
BY:_________________________________ BY: ________________________________ Jennifer M. Lyon Marco A. Verdugo
City Attorney City Attorney
City of Chula Vista - City Council
August 18, 2026 Post City Council Agenda
Management, Operations
and Public Safety Plan
City of Chula Vista Homeless Bridge Shelter
Updated August 2023
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August 18, 2026 Post City Council Agenda
CHULA VISTA VILLAGE AT OTAY (August 2023)
BRIDGE SHELTER MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES
PAGE 1 OF 47
Table of Contents
SECTION I. PURPOSE & INTRODUCTION 5
SECTION II. SHELTER ADMINISTRATION 6
Population Served 6
Program Description 6
Services Provided 9
Coordinated Entry System Integration 10
Target Goals/Expected Outcomes 11
Program Layout 11
Admission Criteria and Procedures 12
Client Rules and Guidelines 12
Identification Requirements 12
Screening Requirements 12
Bed Reservation System 12
New Clients Entering the Chula Vista Village at Otay 13 Day Leave and Returning Clients 13
Hours of Operation 14
Overflow Management 14
Coordinated Service Delivery Plan 14
Overflow Policies 15
Exit and Re-Admission 15
Exit and Readmission Policies 15
Exit Procedures 16
Case Manager Services Policy 16
Documentation of Case Management Services and Data Security Policies 17 Daytime Program Policies 17
Chula Vista Village at Otay Policies 18
Chula Vista Village at Otay Clients 18
Lead Agency Protocols 18
Requirements for Service Provider Partners 18
Good Neighbor Policy - Community Coordination and Communication 19 Communication and Coordination with Neighborhood, Businesses and Public 19 Communication and Coordination with Local Police and Fire Departments 20 Communication and Coordination with City, County, and Service Providers 20 Policies for Community Involvement 20
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CHULA VISTA VILLAGE AT OTAY (August 2023)
BRIDGE SHELTER MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES
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Policies for Neighborhood Patrol 21
Shelter Advisory Boards 21
Advisory Board Composition 21
Meeting Schedule 22
Accountability and Grievance Process and Policies 22
Safety Policies 24
Facility Maintenance 24
Fire and Earthquake Safety 24
Fire Prevention Procedures 25
Fire Drills and Documentation 25
Fire Inspections and Extinguishers 25
Earthquake Safety 26
Security Plan 26
Eligibility Screening 26
Secured Entrances 26
On-site Security Personnel 26
Security Alarms and Cameras 28
Security Lighting 28
Loitering Policy 28
De-escalating Conflicts 28
Entrance and Exit Procedures 28
Policy Regarding Storage of Clients’ Possessions 28
Policy Pertaining to Authorized/Unauthorized Search of Clients’ Property by Staff 29 Policy on Possession of Weapons On-Site 29
Procedure for Contacting Police 29
Health Policies 30
Housekeeping Policy 30
Pet and Service Animal Policies 31
Possession and Use of Controlled Substances 31
Policy for Drug Possession 32
Security, Use and Access of Prescription Medications 32 Client Use of Over-The-Counter Medications 32
Client Access to Emergency and Medical Care 32
First Aid Equipment, Supplies and Procedures 33
Policies & Procedures for Disease Prevention 33
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BRIDGE SHELTER MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES
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Food Policies 33
Provision of Nutritional Needs of Clients 33
Provisions for the Sanitary Storage and Preparation of Food 34 Transportation Policies 34
Transportation Flow On and Off the Property 34
Pedestrian Traffic 34
Bicycle Traffic and Parking 35
Personal Vehicle Transportation and Parking 35
Staff Transportation of Clients 35
Delivery of Shelter Goods and Community Donations 35
Financial Policies 35
Financial Requests from Clients 36
Client Possessions and Funds 36
Annual Outside Audit 36
Financial Reports Review 36
Legal Policies 36
Policy for Compliance with Local Laws 36
Policy for Compliance with Labor Laws 36
Non-Discrimination Policies 37
Policy for Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act 37 Gender-Specific Programming Policy 37
Sexual Harassment Policy 37
Policy Regarding Sex Offenders 38
Confidentiality Policies 38
Personal Confidentiality 38
Database Confidentiality Policies 39
Exceptions to the Confidentiality Policy 39
SECTION III. STAFFING AND MANAGEMENT PLAN 41
A. Staff Policies 41
1. Hiring Policy 41
2. Screening Procedure 41
3. Acceptance Procedure 41
4. Staffing Policies for Safe Humane Environment 41
B. Policies for Staff Training 43
1. Emergency Procedures - Evacuation, First Aid, and CPR, 911 Reporting 43
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CHULA VISTA VILLAGE AT OTAY (August 2023)
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2. Safety Conduct - Prevention of Abuse, Crisis Intervention, Conflict Resolution 43
3. Appropriate Behavior for Dignity and Respect 44
4. Communication 44
5. Resources and Referrals 44
6. Mental Health and Addiction Skills 44
7. Self-care 44
8. Annual Staff Evaluation and Training Plan 45
9. Documentation of Staff Training 45
B. Volunteer Policies 45
1. Selection, Screening, and Background Checks 45
2. Orientation and Training 45
3. Descriptions of Volunteer Tasks 47
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CHULA VISTA VILLAGE AT OTAY (August 2023)
BRIDGE SHELTER MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES
PAGE 5 OF 47
SECTION I. PURPOSE & INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Management Operations and Public Safety Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide best practices for the Chula Vista homeless emergency bridge shelter (hereinafter, “Chula Vista Village at Otay,” or the “Shelter”).
The Plan may also be used to promote open communication between community stakeholders and to help facilitate a better understanding of the Chula Vista Village at Otay.
Establishing a year -round Chula Vista Village at Otay will meet critical needs amongst some of the most vulnerable people on our streets and in our neighborhoods, while also addressing a pressing social issue that is deeply impacting local businesses and community members.
The Plan identifies Shelter services for homeless persons and best practices to maintain a safe and healthy environment for Shelter clients and the community at large. The overall purpose of the Shelter is to connect homeless persons to permanent housing opportunities and reso urces to maintain housing stability and self - sufficiency. Goals and guidelines of the Plan align to national standards of The HEARTH Act (2009).
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CHULA VISTA VILLAGE AT OTAY (August 2023)
BRIDGE SHELTER MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES
PAGE 6 OF 47
SECTION II. SHELTER ADMINISTRATION – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Population Served
Chula Vista Village at Otay and Services
The Shelter will serve up to 65 clients at any given time while providing access to a range of programs and supportive services. To ensure that the Shelter will meet the needs of the community in serving chronic and vulnerable homeless people, clients will be admitted with minimal requirements so that chronic and vulnerable homeless people can easily enter and remain in the Shelter if they are actively engaging and participation in a permanent housing plan.
Those accessing the Shelter will include homeless single men, single women, and couples. All clients must be at least 18 years of age.
Each client will be screened for sex offender, arsonist , and active felony warrant status before admission (screening will take place prior to arrival at the Shelter, as part of the bed reservation system), as detailed in the “Admission Criteria and Procedures” section of this document.
Chula Vista Village at Otay Provision of Services
All clients will have access to, and will be encouraged to, participate in services provided through the Shelter Operator and the City of Chula Vista. The City’s contracted professional “Shelter Operator”, " will provide case management services on sight and will be responsible for coordination of on -site partner agencies. Case Managers will be responsible for coordinating additional outside appointments necessary for their assigned Shelter clients to achieve goals established in their housing plan.
Program Description
The Chula Vista Village at Otay is designed to provide safe shelter, basic needs, and access to support to move individuals out of homelessness and into permanent housing opportunities.
Access to Chula Vista Village at Otay
The Chula Vista Village at Otay will accommodate indoor, overnight sleeping for up-to 65 individuals per evening. Operations at the Chula Vista Village at Otay will be provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. In order to decrease the impact to the surrounding neighborhood, access to bed availability will be handled through a reservation-based system. No walk-ins for the Chula Vista Village at Otay, or services, will be permitted.
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The Shelter Operator will provide on-site staff to track daily bed inventory and communicate daily bed vacancies to City of Chula Vista Department of Housing and Homeless Services (HHS) staff . Bed reservations will give preference to those designated by the Chula Vista Homeless Outreach team (“HOT”), inclusive of the HHS.
Only HHS and HOT can refer individuals to open beds at the Chula Vista Village at Otay . Shelter Operator staff will keep a comprehensive log detailing bed reservations as well as other relevant information. City of Chula Vista Police Department Homeless Outreach Team and Department of Housing and Homeless Services (hereinafter “ HOT” and “HHS”) staff will be responsible for the initial call -in information, while the Shelter Operator staff will note actions which occurred after the original reservation is made.
It will be imperative for the Shelter Operator to keep a comprehensive tracking sheet which will note the following information:
• Date
• Time
• Client name called in
• Reservation (y/n)
• Declined (y/n)
• Arrival of client (y/n)
• Pallet Assignment
Length of Stay
Consistent with national best practices and trends, the goal for length of stay should be 30 days or less; however, there is no set maximum length of stay if they are actively participating in program requirements. When a client has been a guest of the Shelter for more than 90 days, they will be reviewed for an additional stay period every 30 days, ensuring each client is supporting their progress toward housing stabilization. If a client exceeds these 30 days, intensified housing location and exit plan strategies will be imple mented. The program is designed to provide this support until a housing option becomes available. However, at any time a client may be exited from the Shelter for safety or continual Shelter violations as outlined in the “Exit and Readmission Policies .” Additionally, the Shelter Operator will maintain a report to account for clients with lengths of stay exceeding 30 days and reasons why.
Pallet Homes
The Shelter will consist of 65 pallet homes . Each client will be assigned a bed , bedding, and two storage containers for the length of their stay.
Flexible sleeping space may also be provided for transgender populations inclusive of males, females , and couples (over the age of 18).
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will be provided for all clients daily, in a central dining area.
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Hygiene Facilities
Hygiene facilities will be provided on -site for all clients. These will include restrooms and showers. Clients will be encouraged to utilize these facilities as daily resources. Toiletries will be provided by the Shelter Operator to clients as needed. ADA restrooms and showers are also provided on-site.
Laundry
Clients will have access to utilize the laundry facilities that will be located on-site within the community.
Transportation
No walk-up clients will receive Shelter access. Returning clients will be able to return to the Shelter daily by their own transportation or transportation provided by the Shelter Operator. All clients will be required to check in and out with Shelter staff or security.
Security
The Shelter Operator will follow policies and procedures that promote utmost safety for clients, staff, volunteers, and the community. The Shelter Operator will also strive to provide an atmosphere that promotes community, stays alert for signs of conflict, and confronts harmful behaviors before they escalate. The security plan will include a multi-faceted approach involving screening for sex offenders, registered arsonists, and felons with open warrants by the Chula Vista Police Department; secured entrances; security searches upon entrance; confiscation of harmful contraband; trained security personnel providing around-the-clock indoor and outdoor coverage; security alarms, cameras and lighting. Other program elements that will support security efforts include no walk-ups and no loitering policies.
Storage
All clients will be provided two storage bin containers for their personal belongings. These containers will be stored with the client in the pallet home under the bed. Clients will not be allowed to store other bags, shopping carts, or suitcases in the pallet home that will not fit in the provided storage containers. A limited number of outdoor storage bins will be available to clients through a reservation process. Additionally, a refrigerated storage area will be available to clients with medication needs, with the assistance of Shelter staff.
Case Management Services
Upon entering the Shelter, each client will be assigned to a case manager. The primary function of the case manager is to work side-by-side with the client to create a pathway toward permanent housing opportunities, with the ultimate goal of ending their homelessness. Additionally, the case manager is to provide resources and support to the client during their stay, including encouragement to access any and all services provided at the Shelter. The case manager will ensure that all clients are entered into the Coordinated Entry System, as the first line of housing engagement.
Together, the case manager and the client will complete a Housing Plan which will guide their efforts toward securing permanent housing opportunities. Meeting regularly (two to three times per week), the case manager will document the client’s progress towards actions outlined in the Housing Plan.
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CHULA VISTA VILLAGE AT OTAY (August 2023)
BRIDGE SHELTER MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND PROCEDURES
PAGE 9 OF 47
Daytime Program Activities
As a 24-hour Shelter Program, the Shelter Operator will encourage all clients to stay on-site during the day and to take advant age of the on -site services provided to them during the daytime. Daytime program activities include but are not limited to, the following:
● Full access to service providers through appointments made at the Shelter ● Life skills classes and workshops
● Indoor and outdoor recreational activities
● Access to on-site computer lab and study area
● Daily outings with services providers including, but not limited to the Department of Motor Vehicles, social service providers, and public benefit offices.
Services Provided
The Chula Vista Village at Otay aims to incorporate a combination of basic needs services, as well as supportive services aimed at creating pathways into housing, including the following, in ranked priority:
Service
Location Provided by Shelter Operator
or Service Partner(s)
1. Intake/Assessment/Case
Management/Housing
Navigation
Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
2. Crisis Evaluation – Mental Health Chula Vista Village at Otay Mental Health Partner
3. On-Site Centralized Intake/HMIS Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
4. Domestic Violence Services Chula Vista Village at Otay Domestic Violence Partner
5. Beds On-Site Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
6. Health Clinic
Off-Site – Temp/Mobile
Medical Van Chula Vista
Village at Otay
Service Partner
7. Transportation Services and Assistance Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
8. Computers/Email Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
9. Security Chula Vista Village at Otay Allstate Security
10. Meals/Food Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter
Operator/Donations/Community
Partners
11. Parking Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
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CHULA VISTA VILLAGE AT OTAY (August 2023)
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12.Homeless Prevention/Diversion
Assistance Chula Vista Village at Otay Chula Vista Department of Housing and Homeless Services
13. Drug and Alcohol Treatment (on/off -
site)
ChulaVista Shelter Program/Off-
Site
McAlister Institute
14. Crisis Evaluation – Referral Plan Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
15. Commissary/Dining Hall Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator
16. Employment/Job Placement Chula Vista Village at Otay Service Partner/ Shelter Operator Case Management
17. Substance Abuse Treatment (on/off -
site)
Chula Vista Village at
Otay/ Off-Site & On-Site Service Partner
18. Mental Health Treatment (on/off-site) Chula Vista Village at Otay/ Off-Site & On-Site Service Partner
19. Laundry Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator/On-site
20. Storage (on/off) Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator/On-site
21. Information and Referral Services Chula Vista Village at Otay /Off-Site and On-Site
Chula Vista Department of Housing and
Homeless Services
In addition to the baseline services listed above, the following services may also be provided:
Service
Location Provided by Shelter Operator or
Service Partner(s)
1. Recuperative Care Beds and Services Off-Site Service Partner
2. Recreational Activities Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator / Volunteer
3. Pet Kennel and Services Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator /Service Partner/Animal Care Facility
4. Clothing Donation and Distribution Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator / Volunteer
5. Electronic Charging Stations Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Operator/On-site
Coordinated Entry System Integration
Shelter Operator will include in its staffing plan designated staff to conduct Diversion screening and prevent those with other resources from entering the Shelter. Additional staff will be trained to complete on-site VI-SPDAT assessments. Case managers will also assist Shelte r clients in obtaining the necessary documentation to move forward in their housing connection process, once matched to permanent housing opportunities by the Coordinated Entry System.
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Target Goals/Expected Outcomes
The target goals and expected outcomes for the Shelter adhere to guidelines and expectations set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HEARTH ACT.
The Shelter should not be regarded as a singular program(s) but is intended to provide support to the entire Continuum of Care (CoC), to help move the system towards higher a level of system performance, a reduction in the number of persons who experience homelessness in our community, and an increase in access to housing opportunities for chronically homeless individuals utilizing shelter services.
The Chula Vista Village at Otay will offer preferences to homeless residents who have been identified by HHS and HOT as having long-term ties to the community.
Indicators for measuring effective system performance should include the following key considerations:
a. Reduction in Clients Experiencing Homelessness for the First Time:
Are fewer people experiencing homelessness for the first time? Are only persons who have no safe, appropriate housing option being admitted to Shelter?
b. Overall Reduction in Number of Persons Who Experience Homelessness:
Are overall rates of homelessness declining? Is street homelessness declining? Is chronic homelessness declining?
c. Reduction in the Length of Time Persons Experience Homelessness:
Do people stay homeless for shorter periods of time? A reasonably short length of time homeless indicates system and program success in rapidly re -housing persons who are homeless. It can also indicate efficiency related to turnover of beds, which is essen tial to meet system demand for the Chula Vista Village at Otay.
d. Successful Resolution of Housing/Homeless Crisis:
Do people resolve their housing/homeless crisis successfully by maintaining/obtaining permanent housing? Are people successfully connected to community-based support?
e. Reduction in Recidivism (subsequent return to homelessness) : Are repeat occurrences of homelessness avoided or declining
Program Layout
▪ Pallet Homes with separation between unsheltered male, female and couples ▪ Medical/First Aid Area
▪ Dining/Commons area
▪ Security office
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▪ Case management office
▪ Administrative office
▪ Intake and Entry Area
▪ Shower, Restroom and Laundry Areas
▪ Outdoor Recreational and Facilities Areas
▪ Outdoor Pet Kennel Area
Admission Criteria and Procedures
Client Rules and Guidelines
A prospective client must be able to perform all aspects of their care meeting their activities of daily living, follow all Chula Vista Village at Otay rules, and maintain appropriate behavior with consideration for all other staff, volunteers, security, and clients of the Shelter. All clients must review and sign a copy of the "Chula Vista Village User Agreement" document prior to entry. Intake staff and case managers will assist any and all clients who may have difficulty understanding or reviewing the rules. Medical exceptions can only be made by the City of Chula Vista Homeless Outreach Team, Shelter Operator Executive Leadership, or their designee.
Identification Requirements
A form of official identification is required, such as a Shelter-issued ID card, to verify identity; however, a client will not be denied access to Shelter Services without one, so long as their reservation is verified by Shelter Operator staff and the HHS. Case managers will assist clients in obtaining a California ID, providing each client with a no-cost ID voucher.
Additionally, all Chula Vista Village at Otay clients will receive a Shelter-specific identification card upon entering the Shelter that will be used for readmission during the duration of their stay. Shelter ID components include a photograph, name, and other identifying information.
Screening Requirements
No person validated on the sex offender registry (Megan’s Law) will be allowed to access the Chula Vista Village at Otay (screening will take place prior to the arrival at the facility as part of the bed reservation system).
Additionally, no felons with open warrants will be allowed to access the Chula Vista Village at Otay property or individuals identified as a registered arsonist. This screening process will be vetted through the City of Chula Vista Police Department prior to entry to the Shelter.
Bed Reservation System
To minimize neighborhood impact, all clients seeking to access the Chula Vista Village at Otay and services will do so through the City of Chula Vista who will utilize the designated Intake and Bed Reservation System.
A client interested in shelter will need to be vetted by HHS or HOT staff . Clients will be screened for diversion and/or homeless prevention services. If they have an alternate, habitable location where they may stay, they will be diverted from occupying a Shelter bed until their resources have been exhausted.
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Clients meeting eligibility requirements will be assigned a pallet home and given instructions on entering and departing time and requirements by Shelter Operator intake staff.
The Shelter Operator is required to manage and update daily, a designated system for capturing bed inventory, reservations, and vacancies. Shelter Operator staff is also charged with recording excused versus unexcused absences and recording client exits after 2 consecutive unexcused absences in 30 days. By 9 am each morning, a new spreadsheet should be prepared by Shelter Operator staff noting current beds available, current list of excused versus unexcused absences, and an exit tracking log, to be reviewed daily by the Shelter Manager.
New Clients Entering the Chula Vista Village at Otay
New clients will be screened using the phone intake system. Beds will be assigned based on availability and eligibility results. Shelter Operator intake staff will check the bed log before assigning the new bed to ensure that an appropriate one exists.
As instructed, new clients should arrive at the Shelter escorted by HOT members. When the client is referred , a time will be scheduled for the referring party and client to arrive at the Shelter for intake to be completed.
Those who miss their scheduled intake time will need to contact the referring party to confirm that the bed is still available and arrange for a new initial entry time. The referring party will then reach out to Shelter Operator intake staff to see if the beds remain reserved.
Upon ar rival, clients are required to go through a security screening process and work with an Intake Coordinator to be informed of rules and regulations of the Chula Vista Village at Otay, complete necessary intake paperwork, and obtain a Shelter ID card.
Day Leave and Returning Clients
Clients who leave the program during the day may leave as early as 6:00 am. Clients who have employment or appointments that will require them to leave earlier than 6:00 am will need to speak with their Case Manager or the Shelter Manager for approval. Clients will be able to walk out of the Shelter as of 6 :00 am and will be asked to make their own arrangements for transportation.
Clients will be able to leave and return to the Shelter throughout the day and will be requi red to check in with security at exit and re-entry. Clients will be allowed to walk out of the Shelter and will need to arrange for their own transportation. All clients will need to return to the Shelter no later than 8:00 pm.
Clients arriving later than 8pm for special circumstances such as employment or discharge from the hospital, must communicate with their case manager their anticipated arrival time. No client will be allowed into the Shelter after 8pm, unless their reason is found to be valid and approved by their case manager and/or the Shelter Manager. Failure to communicate this could result in forfeiture of their bed reservation and subject to “Readmission Policy” protocols.
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Hours of Operation
The Chula Vista Village at Otay is open 24 hours, 365 days per year. These hours of operation will be in effect seven days per week, every week regardless of holidays or weather.
6:30 AM - 8:30 AM Breakfast served
6:00 AM Clients can exit the Shelter
6:00 AM Common areas open
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Pet kennel area open
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Computer/technology lab open (by appt only) 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch served
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Snack served
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner served
9:00 PM - 6:00 AM Lights out in sleeping area
Overflow Management
Coordinated Service Delivery Plan
It is anticipated that in the early stages of operation for the Chula Vista Village at Otay needs and demands will outweigh the capacity of the 65 bed Chula Vista Village at Otay , necessitating a Coordinated Service Delivery Plan, including coordination of the following diversion and redirection strategies:
a. Homeless Diversion
HHS and HOT staff will screen for Homeless Diversion prior to entry. The Shelter Operator will again review with the client potential Homeless Diversion services at intake to ensure that those with alternative resources will not be accessing the homeless system. If other alternative resources are available for a client, HOT, HHS, and/or Shelter Operator staff will endeavor to either provide the client with access to those resources, or partner with an agency that can offer successful diversion assistance.
b. Coordination with Bridge Housing
The Shelter Operator Case Managers will work with service providers with current bridge housing and/or other housing vacancies. This form of housing will be utilized by returning clients who have
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been matched with a housing opportunity and will soon move into permanent housing. This strategy will increase the Chula Vista Village at Otay bed turnover rate as clients are successfully matched to alternate housing opportunities.
c. Coordination with Other Shelter Providers
Case Managers will partner with other emergency shelter program providers to redirect overflow to any additional shelter beds that may be available in the County. Case Managers will re -direct clients to shelter providers based on the client’s community of origin.
Overflow Policies
The Bed Reservation System is designed to prevent and minimize overflow and capacity issues for the Chula Vista Village at Otay . A daily bed utilization count will ensure that the 65 bed capacity will be fulfilled each evening, as the need for beds persists.
In the event of a community-wide natural disaster or in extreme weather situations deemed so by state, county, or city authority, the Shelter will maintain a “no walk-up” policy. However, the following option could be utilized by the Operator:
• Utilize alternative locations and county resources for additional beds that may accommodate homeless without a bed reservation during inclement weather or disaster.
Exit and Re-Admission
Exit and Readmission Policies
Clients will be considered to have exited the program when they voluntarily leave or are exited from the Shelter for safety or continual Shelter violations, or find alternate housing.
When a client exits of their own volition or is exited for Shelter violations, the client may be considered for readmission eligibility after the time designated by staff for 30 days, with approved exceptions made by the Shelter Manager and/or HHS staff for medical/mental health, or extenuating circumstances.
Length of exit for safety violations will depend on the severity of the infraction.
Shelter Operator should be balanced in their approach to program exits and readmission policies, as it pertains to rule violations and infractions. Such policies should i nclude considerations to maintain a safe and effective facility; safety for clients, volunteers, staff, and the surrounding neighborhood; as well as demonstrate compassion toward homeless individuals who face increasingly vulnerable situations if forced to exit from a shelter situation to places not suitable for human habitation. No client shall be exited without review by the Shelter Manager or City designee.
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Additionally, Shelter staff will keep logs of “excused” versus “unexcused” absences to avoid unnecessary exits.
Only the Shelter Manager and their designees can approve excused absences. These excused absences will be promptly reported to Shelter staff so that they are notated in appropriate logs.
Infractions will be subdivided in a multi-tiered system (Tier 1 and Tier 2) based on the perceived impact of the infraction. Consequences for each tier level should be fitting and just for the level of the infraction and its perceived impact on the wellbeing of stakeholders. Examples as follows:
Tier 1: Basic Program Guideline Infractions:
• Conduct that is intimidating to staff or other clients, or disruptive to Shelter operations
Tier 2: Major Infractions:
• Illegal drug use or possession
• Sexual Misconduct
• Criminal activity
• Violent attacks, fights, possession of weapons, etc.
For disobedience of rules in Tier 1, there will be increasing enforcement actions including verbal warnings and write-ups. After a compounded number of infractions (3) in this tier level, a client may be asked to leave, and staff will determine and give them the designated timeline for which they can be readmitted.
For disobedience of rules in Tier 2, the Shelter Operator maintains a zero -tolerance policy towards criminal activity including, but not limited to: violence & sexual misconduct, as well as drugs and medications used or possessed beyond the scope permitted in the “Health Policies.” These behaviors, when substant iated, are punishable by immediate expulsion upon first offense and a minimum of 30 days expulsion prior to readmission.
The consequences may also be subject to intervention by law enforcement, and if necessary, prosecution up to the limit of the law.
Exit Procedures
When a client is asked to exit due to disobedience of rules, violence, or criminal activity, security will escort the person off the property to be transported to a self-directed location, out of the surrounding area.
Case Manager Services Policy
Upon entering the Shelter, each client will be assigned to a Case Manager. The primary function of the Case Manager is to work side-by-side with the client to create a pathway toward permanent housing opportunities, with the goal of ending their homelessness. The time frame is 90 days; however, the Shelter guest will be on a strict housing plan schedule, meeting with their Case Manager on a regular basis. Additionally, the Case Manager is to provide resources and support to the client during their stay, including encouragement to access all services provided at the Chula Vista Village at Otay.
The Case Manager will ensure that all clients have a complete assessment and are entered into the Coordinated
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Entry system, as the first line of housing engagement. However, this will not be their only housing plan option.
The case manager will continue to seek other housing opportunities, which could also include diversion services.
Case Managers will assist Chula Vista Village at Otay clients with obtaining the necessary documentation such as: California Identification, Social Security card or Birth Certificate to move forward in their housing connection process, once matched to permanent housing opportunities.
Together the Case Manager and t he client will complete a Housing Plan which will guide their efforts toward securing permanent housing opportunities. Meeting weekly, the Case Manager will document the client's progress towards actions outlined in the Housing Plan. Additionally, Case Man agers will work with clients to provide referrals to services in the Chula Vista Village at Otay or any community referrals as necessary.
Documentation of Case Management Services and Data Security Policies Shelter Operator case management staff will complete the intake process with the new Shelter guest upon client entry. Case Managers will keep case notes updated with recording interactions with clients. The database will track the resources and referrals given, support rendered, and any infractions the client may accrue. Outcomes are recorded at exit and throughout participation in the program. When the client is exited from the Chula Vista Village at Otay, the Shelter Operator case manager staff will update the client file.
Paper files will be stored in a secure, locked location in the Shelter Operator Case Managers’ office, which can only be accessible by necessary Shelter staff and designated City staff.
The Shelter Operator will use the Homeless Management Information Sys tem (HMIS) as its primary database and ensure that every client completes and signs a City of Chula Vista HMIS Client Consent Form upon entry into the program. Case Managers will ensure collection of all HUD Data standards as required by the HMIS system.
The Shelter Operator will have a policy restricting computer access records and client information to authorized staff. All database and HMIS access will require passwords by authorized users.
Disclosure of client information to other social service agencies may be permitted only with the client’s written consent, or as may be required by law.
Daytime Program Policies
Clients that are participating in the Chula Vista Village at Otay may, but are not required to, leave the facility during the day. The Shelter Operator will make every good -faith effort to encourage all clients to stay on -site during the day and to take advantage of the on-site services provided to them during the daytime.
Clients are encouraged to stay at the facility and utilize the services and resources available. Clients will have access to daytime services and will be able to meet with their assigned Case Manager on a regular basis. They will also have access to activities provided by Shelter staff and volunteer organizations. Clients are welcome to use the Shelter’s recreational areas, lounge, computer lab, and designated outdoor spaces.
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Chula Vista Village at Otay Policies
Chula Vista Village at Otay Clients
Access to the Chula Vista Village at Otay will be limited t o clients enrolled in the Chula Vista Village at Otay .
Shelter Operator will p rovide clients with access to available transportation to fulfill their scheduled appointments.
Chula Vista Village at Otay clients are expected to follow all Shelter rules and maintain appropriate behavior with consideration for all other clients of the Shelter. Rules of the Chula Vista Village at Otay will prominently be displayed in lobby waiting areas. Those in violation of these rules will be exited from the site, suspended, or terminated from receiving services depending on the severity of the offense as referenced in Section “Exit and Readmission Policies”, above.
Lead Agency Protocols
The role of the Shelter Operator is not to provide all the supportive services offered at the Chula Vista Village at Otay but to recruit and manage a group of partner agencies specialized in providing an array of supportive services beneficial to Shelter clients and other homeless populations.
The Shelter Operator will include in its staffing plan a Chula Vista Village at Otay Volunteer Coordinator position.
The duties of the Chula Vista Village at Otay Volunteer Coordinator will be to recruit and encourage participation by outside service providers, maintain service provider room reservation schedule and ensure the day -to-day operational functions of the Chula Vista Village at Otay.
The Shelter Operator should ensure that the Chula Vista Village at Otay has flexible hours to allow clients to come before or after work, or alternatively, on the weekends.
Requirements for Service Provider Partners
All service providers who desire to offer direct services at the Chula Vista Village at Otay will complete an interest application.
Responsibilities of the Service Provider Partners will include, but are not limited to:
• Set and maintain their own appointment schedule with clients; • Provide clients with access to transportation to fulfill their scheduled appointments, if needed; • Ensure that all clients are aware of , and comply with, the Chula Vista Village at Otay rules and enforce compliance with Shelter rules for their clients if and when necessary; • Agree to share service output and outcome information; • Communicate room reservation conflicts with Chula Vista Village at Otay staff in advance; • Respect, maintain and keep clean all areas of the Chula Vista Village at Otay; • Respect and cooperate with Shelter Operator staff, other service providers and clients; and
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• Participate in quarterly Service Partner Advisory Board meetings and provide input to the improvement of the Chula Vista Village at Otay.
Good Neighbor Policy - Community Coordination and Communication
Communication and Coordination with Neighborhood, Businesses and Public The Shelter Operator is committed to communication with neighbors on an ongoing basis. As part of this commitment, prior to any changes in services at the Chula Vista Village at Otay , the Shelter Operator may facilitate Community Forum(s), as needed and as directed by the City. These Community Forum(s) will provide opportunities to answer any questions that members of the surrounding community might have on the operations of the Chula Vista Village at Otay . The Shelter Operator will provide informati on to the public including operational design plans, estimated date to begin and complete construction efforts on the project, and when services will begin.
The City maintains a public inquiry email at [email protected]. Community stakeholders may submit requests for information about the site , provide referrals, or to have any questions answered. All community complaints and/or inquiries about the Chula Vista Village at Otay will be recorded and forwarded to the appropriate staff for prompt investigation. The City and Shelter Operator will be fully committed to an appropriate customer service response and will consider the resolution of community complaints a high priority.
The City will als o maintain a program website that will include important information for community stakeholders and clients alike. The website will include a “Frequently Asked Questions” section which will help to provide instant answers to community concerns. Additionall y, the website will include a digital copy of the Shelter Operator’s full “Good Neighbor Policy” and “Management and Operational Plan” to be made accessible to the public.
Tours of the facility will only be available by scheduling an appointment with City HHS Staff. Any requests made to Shelter Operator Staff must be forwarded to the City and must be submitted no less than 48 hours in advance and must be approved by HHS staff in coordination with the Shelter Operator Shelter Manager or designee .
Approved Shelter tours will only be given during normal business days (M-F), during the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm). At this time any requests for tours are being placed on a waiting list due to the quantity of requests.
The Shelter Operator will have program brochures available on-site and will also disseminate these resources to groups throughout the community. Information on the brochures will highlight the various services at the facility as well as criteria for admission and eligibility. Volunteer, in -kind, and donation opportunities will also be listed for those who wish to support the program.
City HHS and the Shelter Operator will create a set of media guidelines. At this time all media requests shall be forwarded to the Director of HHS. City HHS will be charged with ensuring that the public is regularly updated on the progress and successes of the Shelter program through various local media outlets.
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Communication and Coordination with Local Police and Fire Departments The Shelter Operator is committed to communicating and working collaboratively with local police and fire departments through all stages of program implementation - from facility design to program execution. The intention of the Shelter Operator should be to act as self-sufficient as possible and minimize the Shelter’s impact on the local police and fire departments. This includes ensuring that staff and security are trained to properly manage and respond to an array of difficult situations that may occur at the Shelter.
The Shelter Operator will provide an array of services and support that will be beneficial to local police and fire departments. These services include, but will not be limited, to:
● Access to medical facilities to respond to medical needs of the clients; ● Creation of an on-site police substation, if desired; ● Enhanced neighborhood patrol has been instituted to monitor surrounding area to control issues of loitering, abandoned property, and other blight;
● Training opportunities on mental illness, homeless sensitivity or other topics of interest to supplement existing department trainings; and
● Statistical reports on number of clients served, length of stay and/or demographic information.
Additionally, the Shelter Operator Staff/Operator will meet with local law enforcement from Chula Vista and surrounding police departments. Initially, it is suggested to meet once per month when the Shelter opens, or as deemed necessary by the City. City Public Safety personnel will have the ability to bring forward operator non - performance directly to the City.
Communication and Coordination with City, County, and Service Providers Operation of the Chula Vista Village at Otay will be for the public good and to move the homeless Continuum of Care system forward. As such, successful implementation of the Shelter will require the partnership of various stakeholders including the City, County and other Service Providers.
The Shelter Operator Case Managers/Shelter Operator will be committed to working cooperatively with numerous other Service Providers, community, and government organizations to serve the needs of the homeless population in City of Chula Vista.
In order to effectively manage and operate a robust Shelter that provides an array of services for the Shelter clients, Case Managers must demonstrate a strong history of collaboration and willingness to engage other Service Providers.
Additionally, the City Staff/Shelter Operator will be responsive to and provide support to the City of Chula Vista City Council and Executive Leadership as needed, in relation to the outcomes and operation of the program.
Policies for Community Involvement
The Shelter Operator will be committed to active participation in City wide community events. To the extent reasonable and feasible, representatives of the Shelter Operator will attend meetings of the local Neighborhood
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Association(s) and local Chamber of Commerce(s) when invited and communicate with neighborhood and business participants.
Additionally, the Shelter Operator may sponsor special events, such as community resource fairs which will include the community and the neighborhood on various occasions.
Policies for Neighborhood Patrol
A Shelter Operator staff-led Neighborhood Patrol will assemble daily to monitor the grounds around the Shelter perimeter. The role of this patrol group is to collect litter, promote cleanliness, engage with , and enhance the safety and cleanliness of, the immediate vicinity.
Additionally, they will prevent and control issues of loitering, unauthorized parking of client vehicles in the neighborhood, abandoned property, shopping carts and other blight. A log will be kept of the daily patrols. The following actions will be completed by the Neighborhood Patrol:
All litter and trash items will be removed from the area and properly disposed of:
● Clients found loitering will be issued a warning and be asked to move along. Violations of this rule may cause a client to be exited from the facility;
● Unauthorized parking of client vehicles in the neighborhood are subject to towing; ● Shelter Operator will contact a City-designated shopping cart retrieval program to collect all shopping carts found that do not contain items of personal property; and ● Shelter Operator will follow City codes for removing personal property found in the surrounding area.
Advisory Boards
Advisory Board Composition
The Department of Housing and Homeless Services will establish a n Advisory Board comprised of varying stakeholders with the intent to:
● Regularly review the operations of the Chula Vista Village at Otay ● Enhance community relations between the Shelter and the public ● Address concerns of local community members, businesses, City of Chula Vista, and partner services providers pertaining to the operation of the Chula Vista Village at Otay ● Address grievances as they occur in the Chula Vista Village at Otay Shelter Advisory Board will include representation from the following:
● Shelter Operator Manager
● Chula Vista Department of Housing and Homeless Services Staff Member ● Chula Vista Police Department Homeless Outreach Team Lieutenant ● Chula Vista Fire Department Staff Member
● Local Business Community Member
● Chula Vista Resident
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Meeting Schedule
Meetings will take place quarterly; however, meetings may be adjusted as necessary during the first year of operations. Meeting frequency may be adjusted to meet the Shelter’s needs, as determined by the City, in consultation with the Shelter Operator.
Accountability and Grievance Process and Policies
All Shelter clients have the right to have their concerns and grievances heard by leadership of the Shelter Operator. Shelter clients who have concerns or grievances regarding any interaction with Shelter Operator, its staff, or other representatives, clients should follow the steps listed below until your concern is resolved or the second appeal has been completed.
IMPORTANT: If at any time a client feels unsafe or uncomfortable following a step in this procedure, the client may skip it and move on to the next step. Additionally, a client may contact any Shelter Operator, HHS, or HOT representative with whom the client feels comfortable speaking, even if that person is not listed in this procedure. And finally, if a client believes that anyone at Shelter Operator has engaged in illegal behavior, please contact the police to report your concerns. Illegal behavior includes but isn’t limited to abuse, assault, blackmail, bribery, coercion, and harassment.
Procedure
As much as possible, when reporting an incident, clients should provide the details of what happened, including who was involved and the date(s) and time(s).
If the client has a Case Manager and the client’s concern is not with that Case Manager, the client should tell the Case Manager.
If the client has a Case Manager and the concern is with that Case Manager, the client should call or email Shelter Operator’s Program Director: [email protected] or (714) 712-0107, providing the client’s name and contact information.
Most concerns can be resolved through discussion with the appropriate staff person because they can generally address the problem easily. If not, however, an investigation may be necessary . The Shelter Operator will typically investigate concerns that can’t be immediately resolved. The amount of time that an investigation takes can vary from one day to several weeks . Updates on the investigation will be provided as appropriate, with a goal of the first update to the client b eing made within 5 business days of the client bringing the complaint to the Shelter Operator.
Once the investigation is complete, the Shelter Operator will decide how to respond, and w ill notify the client of the decision. In doing so, the Shelter Operator will act to protect people’s confidentiality and, as a result, may not provide all of the details. However, it will share with the client the details relevant to the client’s case and/or the client’s standing with the Shelter. If the decision is acceptable to the client, the client should inform the Shelter Operator. If it’s not, the client should follow the below procedure.
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First Appeal
Appeal the decision to Shelter Operator’s Executive Director. If the decision was unacceptable or did not resolve the client’s concern, the client should notify the Executive Director in writing to ensure good documentation of the situation, or by phone if preferred or unable to provide such in writing at: [email protected] or (714) 712-0107. Client(s) should provide their name, full description of the report, and contact information.
The Executive Director will need to conduct an investigation, which could take as little as a day or as long as several weeks. Someone on the Leadership Team will provide an update to the client no later than 5 business days from the time the appeal was received.
When the Executive Director has finished the investigation, the client will be notified of a decision. To protect confidentiality, details may be limited to those relevant to the client’s case and/or standing with the organization. Should the appealed decision of the Executive Director be unacceptable to the client, they may continue following this procedure.
Second Appeal
Appeal the decision to the City of Chula Vista . If Shelter Operator’s Executive Director’s decision regarding the appeal was unacceptable or did not resolve the client’s concern, a written letter may be submitted to the City of Chula Vista Housing and Homeless Services Department or by email if preferred 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 or [email protected] . Correspondence should include: client’s name, full description of the report, and contact information.
The Chula Vista staff will need to conduct an investigation, which could take as little as a day or as long as several weeks. Someone on the HHS staff will provide an update to the client no later than 5 business days from the time the appeal was received.
When the City has finished the investigation, they will n otify the client of their decision. Their decision is final.
To protect people’s confidentiality, details may be limited to those relevant to the client’s case and/or standing with the organization.
Notifying Third Parties of Your Concerns
Note that—always and at any time—clients have the right to discuss concerns regarding Shelter Operator with the California Office of the Attorney General (https://oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints).
Confidentiality and Retaliation
Client Identity and the details of client concerns will be kept as confidential as much as possible while conducting investigations and acting on concerns. However, the goal is to learn exactly what happened, and sometimes we will say who made a complaint and/or the details of the complaint in order to conduct a thorough investigation.
No matter what Shelter Operator determines, clients have the right not to be retaliated against for bringing forward concerns. That means that no staff member can punish a client for identifying a concern. For example, clients will not be refused services , reduce d your services, or behave unprofessionally toward client as
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punishment for identifying a concern. If there is belief that a client is being retaliated against or punished for bringing a concern forward, contact Shelter Operator ’s Executive Director as soon as possible:
[email protected] or (714) 712-0107.
Safety Policies
Facility Maintenance
The Shelter Operator will keep a schedule for regular facility maintenance and cleaning. The Shelter Operator will contract with a janitorial service to provide daily cleaning services for all areas utilized by clients and weekly for office space at the shelter.
Shelter staff will rotate regular maintenance duties and inspections for minor repairs and replacements.
Maintenance and cleaning forms are used to track completion of each task and reviewed monthly. The Shelter Operator will be responsible for staff training and performance in these duties.
The outside grounds will be incorporated into the maintenance schedule and rotation including cleaning of parking lot, watering of plants, maintenance and cleaning of sidewalks and patio areas, and checking of outside lights and furnishings. Graffiti will be reported to the Shelter Manager for removal within 24 hours.
Need for repairs will be reported promptly by staff to the Shelter Manager or their designee. Minor repairs may be completed by staff, as trained. Major repairs are reported to the Shelter Manager. Difficult repairs will be sent out to an approved list of vendors for bids, approval, and completion.
The Shelter Operator will be committed to maintaining a pest free environment throughout the premises. As such, no food will be allowed in the living areas of the facility. Trash bags will be emptied daily in all areas.
Inspection of client spaces and lockers will be conducted for any items that would attract pests. All staff will receive appropriate training for the identification of common pests as well as prevention and control measures.
A Pest Control company will be contracted by Shelter Operator and will come regularly to spray for bugs, check for infestation of pests, and perform other pest prevention or extermination treatments that will be seen on their visits or reported by staff.
Fire and Earthquake Safety
Evacuation Plan for Ambulatory and Non-Ambulatory Residents Shelter staff will be trained in protecting the safety of everyone in the facility. Staff will respond quickly and safely when an emergency, incident, or natural disaster occurs. Evacuation routes and exits will be posted in each major area of the facility. An evacuation point outside will be designated.
In case of the need for evacuation, the present site lead during the emergency will notify all staff and clients to evacuate, call 911, and direct evacuation plan. Staff will be assigned to oversee the evacuation of clients in each work area. Staff will ch eck client areas, assign assistance to non - ambulatory and disabled persons, and lead
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clients to safety through the nearest safe evacuation exit. Staff will assemble clients outside at designated evacuation points, read bed lists for attendance and search for any missing clients, as safety conditions allow.
In case of fire these additional protocols will be completed:
• The Shelter Manager or lead staff member will pull the nearest fire alarm if it is not already sounding. • While evacuating clients, staff will attempt to close all door(s), if safe to do so. • Before exiting a room, the Shelter Manager or lead staff member will touch the back of hand to the door to determine if the door is cool, then open it a crack, smell for smoke, and if deemed safe, open the door and leave the building to the evacuation meeting point. • If the door is hot, it should not be opened, and staff will lead clients to leave via the nearest safe exit.
• Staff will locate and use appropriate fire extinguishers, if safe to do so. • When the Fire Department arrives, a staff person will speak to the officer in charge and give the officer a set of staff keys.
• Staff will contact the Shelter Manager or his/her delegate as soon as possible, if not on site. • Staff will report incident and procedure in Incident Report and staff shift notes as directed in Shelter policy.
If the weather is inclement and if the evacuation will not be short, staff will:
● Contact the Shelter Manager to identify evacuation locations and disaster teams if assistance is needed for client shelter, meals or services.
● Contact City of Chula Vista assigned staff.
For a false alarm or other short -term evacuation, staff will direct occupants back into the community once the Fire Department has authorized an “all-clear.”
Fire Prevention Procedures
The Chula Vista Village at Otay will be inspected by the Fire Department for all fire codes, sprinklers, alarms, and exits. Fire Departmental approval must be obtained prior to service implementation. Emergency lighting will be installed both inside the facility and outside on the grounds for safety and in compliance with all codes.
No smoking will be allowed inside or outside the building, within 20 feet of doors. A smoking section will be designated, and a sign posted in the open patio area.
Fire Drills and Documentation
Fire drills will be conducted at least quarterly. Documentation of fire drills will be kept for three years in Shelter Management Files.
Fire Inspections and Extinguishers
The most recent annual fire inspection will be posted in a designated area of the Chula Vista Village at Otay and will be included in the Shelter management files. Fire extinguishers will be hung in each area of the building as shown in facility plans and in the evacuation plan. Fire extinguishers will be inspected and maintained per City
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and County requirements. A certificate of the most recent fire inspection will be posted in a visible designated area.
Earthquake Safety
Earthquake drills will be conducted quarterly by Shelter Operator staff. The evacuation route and procedures may be the same as other hazards. A client tally and search will be conducted once evacuation is conducted.
In case of an actual earthquake that causes damage to facility or grounds, staff from the City’s Public Services and Fire Departments wi ll be called to inspect the facility as soon as safety permits. Clients will be evacuated from building and transported to other shelters as needed.
Security Plan
The Shelter Operator will follow policies and procedures that promote utmost safety for clients, staff, volunteers, and the community and will strive to provide an atmosphere that promotes community, stays alert for signs of conflict, and confronts behaviors before they escalate.
Eligibility Screening
No person validated on the sex offender registry (Megan’s Law) or a registered arsonist will be allowed to access the shelter property. Additionally, no felons with open warrants will be allowed to access the Shelter property.
Secured Entrances
All clients will be required to enter the Shelter in a coordinated, peaceful fashion.
All clients will present identification upon entry. Clients without valid California identification cards will be given supportive services to secure a valid identification card. Clients will also receive a Shelter-specific ID to use for admission into the shelter throughout the duration of their stay.
All clients and their belongings will be checked by security personnel, utilizing security wands each time they enter and exit from the Shelter and all contraband will be seized. Contraband items include, but are not limited to: weapons, explosives, flammable or volatile substances, illegal drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia, bio-hazardous items or environmentally harmful goods.
Clients will sign-in upon entrance and sign out upon exit from the building.
On-site Security Personnel
The Shelter Operator will provide a sufficient number of trained security guards to ensure the safety of clients and the surrounding neighborhood, 24 hours a day. Security will be always on -site and will conduct security rounds of the facility as necessary.
Security guards will be stationed both inside and outside the Shelter to ensure maximum coverage. Security
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guards will be accessible and visible to clients and survey the grounds inside and out for any potential concerns.
Staff and security will have communication with each other via portable electronic equipment.
Security guards will be contracted through a third-party vendor. Security guards may carry non- lethal weapons such as mace, batons, and handcuffs. Vendors will ensure that all security staff will be regularly trained.
Security guards will receive "Homeless Sensitivity Training" through the Shelter Operator’s resources.
Daily Recommended Operational Staff to Security Ratios
Staff Security Guards
12:00 AM 2 2
1:00 AM 2 2
2:00 AM 2 2
3:00 AM 2 2
4:00 AM 2 2
5:00 AM 2 2
6:00 AM 2 2
7:00 AM 5 2
8:00 AM 5 2
9:00 AM 5 2
10:00 AM 5 2
11:00 AM 5 2
12:00 PM 5 2
1:00 PM 5 2
2:00 PM 5 2
3:00 PM 5 2
4:00 PM 5 2
5:00 PM 5 2
6:00 PM 5 2
7:00 PM 3 2
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8:00 PM 3 2
9:00 PM 3 2
10:00 PM 3 2
11:00 PM 2 2
Security Alarms and Cameras
The building will be equipped with security cameras inside and outside, safety alarms, and a portable communication device worn by staff.
A Shelter Operator staff member will monitor security through an administrative office located on site.
Security Lighting
Security lighting will be used both inside and outside the facility to highlight entrances and parking lots. A staff person will escort any person to parking lot or security gate after sunset.
Loitering Policy
Clients will not be allowed to loiter in the surrounding neighborhood. Violations of this rule may cause a client to be exited from the facility. The Shelter Operator ’s Good Neighbor Policy will include regular checks of surrounding areas to prevent and control loitering issues.
De-escalating Conflicts
All employees will receive training in communication techniques that de-escalate confrontations.
Entrance and Exit Procedures
All staff and clients will enter and exit through one main entrance and security checkpoint. Both entrances will be equipped with security cameras for inside and outside the facility, safety alarms, and a portable communication device worn by staff for con trol of entrance and activity inside the building. All areas of the building will be locked when not in use. The community will be zoned so that clients will only have access to the areas which they need. During sleeping hours, clients will have restricted access to other areas of the building.
All clients will present identification upon entry, and their person and belongings will be searched by security.
They will sign in upon entrance and sign out upon exit from the building.
Policy Regarding Storage of Clients’ Possessions
All items may be stored that fit inside of the two storage containers provided for the length of the client’s stay at the Shelter. The right to store items may be revoked based on violation of rules and/or at the management’s
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discretion. Once a client has exited the Shelter program, any personal effects may be stored for up to 7 days; after which, the property will be donated or disposed of. Clients who have exited from the Shelter program must contact staff to set an appointment to collect their personal belongings.
In the event the client cannot come to retrieve their own property, they may name a proxy of their choosing to pick up their effects by filling out an Authorization for Release of Personal Property form. The client will be responsible for asking their designated contact person to retrieve property, if needed.
No contraband items may be stored at the Shelter. Contraband items include but are not limited to: weapons, explosives, flammable or volatile substances, illegal drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia, bio - hazardous items or environmentally harmful goods.
Policy Pertaining to Authorized/Unauthorized Search of Clients’ Property by Staff The Shelter staff will have the right to inspect all storage areas to ensure compliance with contraband policies.
Staff have the right to designate a period of time when a client will be ineligible for re -entry to the facility, if contraband is found. Length of ineligible time will be documented according to the “Exit and Readmission Policies”.
When inspecting a client’s possessions without them present, two staff persons will be responsible for the search. An Authorization Form will be signed by the client at the time of entrance into the facility. When items are found in the client’s possession that are not suitable, clients can choose to have staff dispose of the item or client may store property off site, at their own cost.
Policy on Possession of Weapons On-Site
No weapons or objects which can be used as weapons will be brought into the Shelter. All of a client’s belongings brought on-site will be searched upon entry and inspected for weapons and items that could be used as such.
Anyone found with a weapon or dangerous materials that can be used as a weapon will be asked to immediately leave the premise s and neighborhood of the facility. Sharp objects such as tools or scissors will be stored in locked storage areas and not taken into shelter living areas.
All kitchen knives and sharp objects, hazardous materials, and cleaning equipment that could be used as a weapon will be kept in locked areas with only staff accessibility.
Procedure for Contacting Police
The intention of the Shelter Operator should be to act as self -sufficient as possible and minimize the Shelter’s impact on the local police department. This includes ensuring that staff and security will be trained to properly manage and respond to an array of difficult situations that may occur at the shelter.
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In establishing a procedure for contacting police, the Shelter Operator will work cooperatively with the Chula Vista police department to establish Shelter policies and procedures on how and when to contact police for conflict resoluti on, trespassing, theft, unruly behaviors, loitering around property, mental health evaluation, and emergencies.
Upon consensus, a 911 protocol will be established and followed. All staff members will be trained in these procedures. 911 may be called for any medical emergencies, violent behaviors that endanger others, and suicidal ideation.
Health Policies
Housekeeping Policy
The Shelter Operator will commit to and understand the importance of maintaining hygienic, sanitary environments for the well -being of clients, volunteers, and staff. The Shelter Operator will maintain internal written, standardized housekeeping procedures. Each procedure will be designed for safety of staff and clients and for a consistent, high standard of housekeeping. Staff will be provided with training in these procedures, will be monitored in performance of the procedures, and evaluated in their effective use of them. Training may include education on any hazardous materials with which staff may come into contact when carrying out their assigned work tasks.
Outside janitorial staff will be contracted to a ssist in the maintenance and cleaning of the facility. Thorough daily cleaning of all client areas including living quarters, kitchen and dining and common areas will be done using institution strength antibacterial products. Bathrooms, showers, laundry and eating areas will be given priority attention. The kitchen and dining areas will be cleaned according to strict health standards after each meal. Office space will be cleaned weekly by the contracted janitorial staff and as needed by Shelter staff and partner organizations using the space.
To prevent cross-contamination, clients will be required to store personal toiletries in plastic sealable bags on their beds when not in use. The Shelter Operator will assign a set of linens at intake for their use whi le in the shelter. The client will be responsible for making and maintaining their bed each morning and washing all their bed linens as recommended by the Shelter Operator.
Staff will wear appropriate protective garments (i.e. gloves) while completing tasks; ● Staff will use recommended disinfecting cleaning products for each area of the Shelter; ● Staff will practice required hand-washing procedures; ● Kitchen staff will be trained in and practice required food-handling procedures obtaining their California Food Handlers Card
The outside grounds will be included in the housekeeping standards and schedule. The Shelter’s outside spaces, parking lot, and green areas will be cleaned daily from debris and litter. Chairs and tables will be washed
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according to inside standards. Minor repairs of the facility and grounds will be completed by the Shelter staff.
Any major repairs or work requiring specialized training will be completed by approved vendors.
The Service Partner agencies must adhere to housekeeping procedures. Service Provid er Partners will be expected to respect and keep their areas clean after usage.
Pet and Service Animal Policies
The clients will be permitted to bring pets and service animals into the Shelter. Clients will be encouraged to have their pet registered and receive current vaccinations in order to access the Chula Vista Village at Otay. They will also need to agree to h ave their animal altered in keeping with the policy on prohibition on breeding. Not having their pet registered or vaccinated will not be a disqualifier but is something that will be worked on with their case manager. In order to qualify as a service animal, a client must produce an official letter from a licensed physician stating that the animal is needed to help the disabled individual perform some of the functions and tasks that an individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself.
The health and well-being of all pets and service animals brought into the Chula Vista Village at Otay will be the responsibility of their owner. Clients must feed and clean up after their pets and service animals, Shelter staff will not be able to provide food. Clients who are unable to care for or feed for their pets or cannot control them while at the Shelter will be asked to remove the pets from the facility and/or other available and recommended remedies at the Shelter Manager’s discretion.
The Shelter Operator will work with the City of Chula Vista to define rules and policies around pets, service animals and animal management at the shelter. Shelter Operator will contract with a local veterinarian clinic to help provide animal management services to pets residing at the Chula Vista Village at Otay . Such services include but are not limited to: examination of pet health upon entering Shelter and throughout, flea treatment, spaying/neutering services, vaccin ations, treatments for injuries/health issues and pet owner education. All animals must remain either inside the facility or within the gated area of the Shelter in the designated outdoor pet area. Furthermore, Shelter Operator will consult with the Chula Vista Animal Care facility for added services including removal of pet from Shelter.
Possession and Use of Controlled Substances
The Shelter Operator will have a strict policy prohibiting the possession or use of alcohol or controlled substances at the Chula Vista Village at Otay and on the Shelter premises by employees, residents, clients, and the general public.
It will be the intent of the Shelter Operator to promote a safe, healthy and productive environment for everyone.
Staff recognize that the illegal and/or excessive use of drugs and alcohol, or the inappropriate use of prescribed drugs is not conducive to a safe living environment. It will be the objective of the Shelter Operator to have an environment that is free from the influence of controlled substances and alcohol at all times on the premises.
The unlawful purchase, possession, transfer, manufacturing, distribution, dispensation or use of any illegal drug is inconsistent with the objective of operating in a safe and efficient manner, is contrary to the Shelter’s mission, and will be strictly prohibited.
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Policy for Drug Possession
Staff will have the right to refuse entrance to any client who is noticeably under the influence, exhibiting behavior that is inappropriate due to influence, or otherwise cannot follow the rules and expected behaviors of a client while participating in Shelter activities. If alcohol, illegal substances, or paraphernalia are found in a client’s possession after they have completed entry paperwork and necessary security screenings, that client may be asked to exit the facility at the discretion of staff. They may be given a timeframe of their next eligible readmission date. The illegal drug or alcohol will be disposed of and documented by two staff following written protocol.
Security, Use and Access of Prescription Medications
If a client has medications that must be administered throughout the evening/night or will be damaged by extreme heat or cold, they may retrieve them from a designated staff person. If a medication needs to be refrigerated, the medication will be packaged and labeled with the person’s name, pallet house number, and name of medication and placed inside a designated locked refrigerator.
A client who qualifies and requests their medications to be stored in a locked area must sign an Agreement Form and will have access to the medications as soon as possible by their request to the staff on duty. The client will be responsible for requesting and taking their own medications within limits of how they are prescribed. Only the person whose name is on the medications will be able to retrieve them.
Client Use of Over-The-Counter Medications
Use a nd storage of over -the-counter medications follow the same policy and procedures of prescription medications.
Client Access to Emergency and Medical Care
Clients may have access to medical care at any time. Clients should communicate to staff members on duty their need for medical care, if possible.
If a client requires first aid items, they may access them from a Shelter staff member at the service desk. The staff member may assist the client in first aid care with client’s permission, as he/she will be trained, and using universal precautions.
In case of a seizure, staff will be trained in appropriate safety precautions or will call 911 if seizure persis ts or causes bodily harm. If a client needs emergency or serious medical care, the staff on duty will call 911 and follow 911 procedures. In case of an injury, staff will not move the client. They will contact other staff, call 911, and if appropriate, check breathing and pulse and begin CPR if needed. One staff member or trained volunteer will attempt to keep the client comfortable and keep other clients away from immediate scene, while another staff member will wait for medical personnel, give medical per sonnel information about the client, and direct them to client.
The Shelter Manager will be called as soon as possible. After client emergency or incident has been controlled,
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the lead staff member will complete an Incident Report form which will be sent to the Shelter Manager and higher-level staff as needed.
First Aid Equipment, Supplies and Procedures
The Shelter Operator and/or approved medical partner will have first aid supplies available at all times. The first aid kit will be inspected monthly, updated as items expire, and re-stocked after each use. Staff members will be trained annually in universal precautions, first aid care, seizure, and Mental Health crisis. Any incident occurring at the shelter requiring first aid will be documented in the daily report and an Incident Report will be prepared and sent to the Shelter Manager and other higher-level staff as necessary.
Policies & Procedures for Disease Prevention
The Shelter Operator will have protocols for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases and conditions such as seizures, diabetic episodes, mental health episodes, lice, bed bugs, influenza, and other communicable and contagious diseases. Universal precautions will be maintained at al l times in handling of fluids, client clothing, laundry, and in all cleaning of premises.
When an accident or injury to an employee or client occurs or when there has been damage to Shelter property, staff will follow a set protocol which includes:
● Immediately contacting their supervisor about the situation ● Dealing with any injuries
● Securing the accident scene by obtaining names, addresses, and phone numbers of witnesses (if possible), taking photos (if possible), and noting any unusual circumstances ● Recording all necessary information to complete a formal report ● Reporting all accidents or injuries within 24 hours to insurance carrier
If a client shows symptoms of a contagious disease or other public health concern that might threaten another person, the client will be sent to a local medical facility or emergency room for diagnosis and treatment. If a client leaves due to disease, the bedding and client’s clothes will be washed, bed cleaned, and bedding replaced on the bed . Clothes and belongings will be stored in designated areas and held for the maximum amount of time permitted. The shelter will operate to conform to best health practices and concerns.
Universal precautions will be used for all handling of client possessions. Staff will follow hand washing techniques recommended by the Health Department.
If a client shows symptoms of tuberculosis, the client will be sent for medical diagnosis and asked to receive a TB test. All clients may be offered TB testing through partner medical services as a community health benefit.
Food Policies
Provision of Nutritional Needs of Clients
The Shelter Operator will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to each client every day. Meals will be prepared
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at an approved off-site facility. They will ensure that meals will be nutritious and balanced. The Shelter Operator is responsible for providing and calendaring all meals and snac ks either through a food volunteer network or through a registered food vendor.
The Shelter Operation will include in its in -kind donation strategies, opportunities for food donations and partnerships with local food banks. The Shelter Operator will also work with community and church partners and existing community meal service programs to offer opportunities to feed the homeless individuals and families at the shelter. The Shelter Operator may elect to schedule daily food deliveries through a third -party vendor and include such expenses in their operating budget.
Tables will be set up for meals in the central dining area of the Shelter at the scheduled meal times. Food will be served at designated times of operation for registered shelter clients. All su ch meals must meet Health Departments standards.
Provisions for the Sanitary Storage and Preparation of Food The Chula Vista Village at Otay will have adequate space for storage of dry foods, refrigerated foods, frozen foods, and supplies. Separate refrigerator/freezer space should be available for client medications. The Shelter Operator will provide extra refrigeration and freezer appliances as needed to supplement safe storage of food, if space is available. Current certificates of food handling safety will be posted in the kitchen area and in the employee file for each cook. Cooks and volunteers assisting them will follow the procedures of the County Health Department as taught in the ServSafe Food Handler Program. All volunteers will be supervised by a Shelter employee.
All storage areas will be cleaned on a planned schedule and outdated food will be disposed of. There will be a rotation schedule for storage and use of food in freezer, refrigerator, and dry goods pantry that maximizes use of food so that it does not become outdated.
Transportation Policies
The policies for travel to and from the Chula Vista Village at Otay will be designed to support client needs and minimize potential impact on the adjacent residential neighborhood and businesses. The following transportation measures will be implemented as detailed below.
Transportation Flow On and Off the Property
The Chula Vista Village at Otay Operator will create a plan for safe and effective flow of traffic on and off the property based on the schematics of the Shelter grounds and surrounding neighborhood. Considerations should include provisions for personal automotive transportation and bus and shuttle services.
Pedestrian Traffic
The Shelter will operate by bed reservation only and no walk-ins will be accepted. Clients who are staying at the Shelter will only be allowed access to the Shelter via walk up.
Any individual that does walk -up will receive information on how to make a bed reservation, set -up
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appointments with the Chula Vista Village at Otay staff and be provided transportation to a self-directed location out of the surrounding area to return only when the established reservation protocol has been followed.
Bicycle Traffic and Parking
A bicycle rack will be provided in a secured outdoor area. Bike locks will be encouraged but are the responsibility of the client to obtain. Every client is allowed one bicycle on site while enrolled in the Chula Vista Village at Otay.
Clients will not be allowed to store any nonoperational bicycles or bicycle parts on site of the community.
Personal Vehicle Transportation and Parking
The Shelter parking lot will be available to Shelter staff. Volunteers, vendors, and community visitors may also park their vehicles in the Shelter lot while at the facility.
Client vehicles eligible to park in the Shelter will be designated to the north lot and will be listed on the Vehicle Parking Form by license plate and client name. Vehicles parked in lot overnight must be registered on this log each night. Security staff will include the parking lot during security rotations.
Shelter Operator also has the right to tow any vehicle found parked in undesignated areas outside the shelter in the surrounding neighborhoods.
The eligibility of use and parking of client personal vehicles will be determined by HHS, HOT, and/or the Shelter Operator based on individual need resulting from employment and compliance with the stipulations of the Client Intake Form. Parking will be limited to the lot, north of the shelter with access only with legitimate use.
Signage shall be provided to identify parking restrictions and regulations.
Staff Transportation of Clients
Shelter staff will not be permitted to transport clients under any ci rcumstances in their personal vehicles. Only designated staff in Shelter-owned/operated or contracted vehicles may transport clients.
Delivery of Shelter Goods and Community Donations
Deliveries for Shelter goods and community donations will be dropped off in a designated area. The planned location for these designated drop -offs will take into consideration pedestrian, bike and other vehicle traffic routes to minimize safety risks and impact to the shelter site and surrounding area.
It is antici pated that delivery of goods from contracted vendors will occur approximately three times weekly.
The delivery of community donations by private donors will occur approximately three times daily during designated donation drop-off times.
All deliveries of goods and/or donations will occur between the hours of 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Shelter Manager will ensure that there is adequate space either onsite or offsite to store these donations.
Financial Policies
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Financial Requests from Clients
Financial requests from clients must be requested and received through their Shelter Operator Case Manager to receive the requested item (bus pass, clothing/food voucher, etc.) to assist the client achieve their housing goals. All bus passes and/or vouchers are kept in a locked safe in a locked office or closet at all times when not in use.
Client Possessions and Funds
No monetary funds of clients will be handled by the Shelter staff. Clients are responsible for their belongings, including funds, while at the Shelter. It will be encouraged by staff for clients not to have funds on site, and to store wallet, electronic devices, and any cash in appropriate locked storage. The Shelter Operator will have a policy of not being responsible for lo st or stolen items listed in the signed Rules Agreement, and read nightly when rules will be reviewed before intake.
Clients will not be permitted to give cash to Shelter Operator staff at any time, for any reason.
Annual Outside Audit
An independent financial audit of the Shelter Operator shall be completed on an annual basis. The most current audit will be kept on file at the Shelter Operator’s administration office(s) and may be viewed as necessary.
The Chula Vista Village at Otay may also be subject to an annual program audit or monitoring. It will be the responsibility of the Shelter Operator to correct any deficiencies reported by the audit within the time limits available to them.
Financial Reports Review
Financial reports will be produced each month by the accounting department of the Shelter Operator . The Administration Office of the Shelter Operator will review financial statements and budgets with leadership on a regular basis. Adjustment will be made in spending as necessary.
Legal Policies
Policy for Compliance with Local Laws
The Shelter Operator and City of Chula Vista will follow all local, state, and federal laws, including County Health Department and City Fire Code requirements, and has staff trained for food handling, CPR, fire drills and other disaster evacuation procedures. The Shelter Operator and staff will work cooperatively with local law enforcement to communicate any breaking of laws by clientele while on its premises. Additionally, Shelter staff and management will cooperate with law enforcement agencies on investigations for persons wanted for crimes as much as is possible while maintaining policies on client confidentiality.
Policy for Compliance with Labor Laws
The Shelter Operator will comply with all required labor laws. OSHA training and reviews will be done during
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staff meetings on a quarterly basis. OSHA flyers will be posted in administrative offices.
The Shelter Operator’s wages will be at or above minimum wage. Employee breaks, meals, and overtime will be monitored legally and compensated as needed. The Shelter Operator will be contracted with a company to examine any work injuries. The proper incident reports, Workmen’s Compensation forms, and requirements will be completed.
Non-Discrimination Policies
The Shelter Operator will adhere to a policy of non-discrimination which will be stated in the Shelter Operator’s Policies and Procedures Manual.
The Shelter Operator will not discriminate in the provision of client care based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, marital status, geographic, national, or ethnic origin, HIV status, disability, or veteran status.
Policy for Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act The Shelter Operator will comply with appropriate standards of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Staff will be trained about and will be cognizant of any physical disability upon entrance of the client and will assist as needed to conquer any barriers from the structure of the building. Staff will receive training to work appropriately with persons with disabilities. All persons will be treated with dignity, value, and worth.
Gender-Specific Programming Policy
Persons accessing Chula Vista Village at Otay services will be identified by the gender identification for which they choose. Staff will provide beds to persons of gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation with due regard to privacy and client rights.
Bathrooms and showers will be constructed with equal privacy for all clients, regardless of sexual orientation, expression, or identity. All programs and services will be available with the dignity of all clients as highest priority.
Sexual Harassment Policy
All clients, volunteers, and employees shou ld be able to coexist at the Chula Vista Village at Otay in a trauma informed care environment, free from sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior.
The Shelter will have a zero -tolerance policy for sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior o f a sexual nature. No sexual harassment will be tolerated by anyone on the facility grounds - including by staff, volunteers, or clients. Clients, staff, and volunteers will be notified if in the Shelter Operator’s sole discretion any of their remarks, advances, gestures, or attire constitutes sexual harassment toward any person in the Shelter facility.
Anyone who believes he or she has been the subject of any such behavior will be urged to report it to the staff or supervisor immediately. A report will be completed and taken to the appropriate staff or supervisor for
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resolution. Reported incidents will be investigated on a confidential basis. Provisions will be instituted to guard the safety and emotional health of persons who have been victims of a reported incident. After proper review, a person found to have engaged in sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature will be subject to disciplinary action including possible immediate exit from program or termination from employment.
Policy Regarding Sex Offenders
The Shelter Operator will have strict requirements for the safety of vulnerable adults. Staff and volunteers will be trained in sex abuse definitions, sex offender policies, child abuse, and vulnerable adult abuse. All employees must review this training yearly and be certified to have passed its standards.
The Shelter Operator will follow federal law requirements in reporting sex offenders. All clients will be screened for sex offenses through the National Megan’s Law database. Screening will be conducted at the time of reservation; no potential participants with a registered sex offense will be admitted as clients.
Confidentiality Policies
Personal Confidentiality
People seek help from emergency shelters at a difficult time in their lives. Their need for service and the help that can be given is determined through sharing of factual and personal information. For this to be effective, every client must be able to trust that every staff member and volunteer hold confidential the shared information.
Therefore, Shelter Operator staff will keep strict confidentiality practices as written in Confidentiality Policy.
These practices include:
a. Fact of Participation: The fact that an individual is or has been a participant in the Chula Vista Village at Otay should not be disclosed except as may be specifically defined. Inquiries by visit, telephone, or letter regarding a participant in the program should be answered with the statement that information as to whether a particular person is or has been in residence cannot be divulged; that if in fact the individual is in residence, they will be advised of the inquiry, and that, at their discretion, they will or will not communicate with the inquirer.
b. Disclosure to Other Agencies: Disclosure of client information to other social service agencies, whether on a referral to or from the agency, generally may be permitted only with the person’s written consent.
Information is to be withheld where enjoined by law and whereby contract the Shelter Operator has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of client records (as under the Privacy Act) . Disclosure of information relating to program participants should not be made to employers, credit agencies, unions, or other similar organizations, except at the request, and with the consent of the participant.
c. Information to the Client: In some situations, it may be required by law to disclose to the participant
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information contained in his/her own case record. Information disclosed should be limit ed to that which is included in the formal case record. The formal case record should contain factual information, not counselor notes and observations. Information provided by other agencies should not be shared.
d. Law Enforcement Agencies : All requests for information regarding clients originating from law enforcement agents, should be referred to the Shelter Operator’s acting Legal Department. Before any action is taken, on any legal request, a staff member or program manager should conta ct their Legal Department as there are boundaries in place to determine the sharing of information with law enforcement personnel according to its policies on client confidentiality (as stated in the Shelter Policies and Procedures) and applicable law.
When an arrest warrant or a search warrant has been issued by a court after a showing of probable cause, if such a warrant is presented to the facility relating to a client in the residence, staff will cooperate with the law enforcement agency in making the arrest or the search, preferably in a manner which will involve the least disruption of the program at the facility.
e. Written Consent: If there is any doubt as to whether client information should be disclosed, the consent of the client should be first obtained, except as otherwise required by law. The consent will be in writing on a Release of Information form and should identify the information to be disclosed, the person or agency to whom it will be disclosed, and the purpose of the disclosure, and the period of time during which authorization is granted.
f. Abuse Reporting: Shelter staff will comply with all state and municipal laws requiring reporting to governmental agencies of instances of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse. Staff will report any suspicion or evidence of child abuse or vulnerable adult abuse according to the law’s requirements.
All staff persons at the shelter will be mandatory reporters. An incident report will also be completed and submitted to the Program Manager and any higher -level staff as needed. All staff will be trained at time of hire to spot signs of abuse and to properly document and report it. Training will be repeated annually.
g. Harm to Self or Others : If a client at the Shelter program shares with a staff person a viable threat to do harm to self or another, the terms of confidentiality can be revoked, as in the case of suicidal or homicidal admittance.
Database Confidentiality Policies
Only trained Intake staff, Case Managers, and management staff will be authorized to access the HMIS Database.
Each staff person will have a separate password for entry. Staff are only to use computers that are authorized and HMIS compliant. No persons wit hout a username and password set up by the Shelter Operator ’s IT department should have access to staff-only computers.
Exceptions to the Confidentiality Policy
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All clients will be informed that when the law requires management to disclose client-related information, such as to prevent danger to self or others, or to report child and elderly/vulnerable adult abuse, staff will do so.
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SECTION III. STAFFING AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
A. Staff Policies
1. Hiring Policy
The Shelter Operator must be an equal opportunity employer. A copy of its applicable Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy will be available in the Employee Handbook and through the Human Resources Department of the Administrative Offices.
All staff positions and n ewly hired staff will be approved by the Direc tor of Programs and will be thoroughly vetted through a new hire process as outlined below.
2. Screening Procedure
Position openings will be posted on various employment networking websites. Potential applicants will be screened through a two-step interview process.
The first interview will be scheduled with Shelter Operator Human Resources. If deemed eligible, the applicant will conduct an in-person interview with the Director of Programs.
3. Acceptance Procedure
A completed application packet and staff letter of recommendation will be sent to the head of the Human Resources Department who conducts a thorough background check. Every potential applicant will be screened for active warrants, violent felony convictions, sexual offenses which require registration, and legal ability to work. The applicant must successfull y complete all screening requirements before they will be able to begin working directly with clients.
Upon hire, the new employee will sign a job agreement form and will be provided a job description informational sheet for their records. They will also attend a general orientation program led by the Head of the Human Resources Department. This orientation will cover important topics, such as but not limited to, sexual harassment policies, and appropriate interactions with co -workers, volunteers, and clients. Training places a heavy emphasis on appropriate conduct between staff and clients and will be expected to adhere to these practices when interacting with clients. Program Manager and Shelter Manager will complete a lengthier program-specific orientation process.
4. Staffing Policies for Safe Humane Environment
The Chula Vista Village at Otay will be staffed to provide the safest, most dignified environment for all clients. All staff will be easily identifiable and will be required to wear Shelter Operator-Approved shirts, as well as name tags while on site. Staffing will be scheduled to optimize safety of staff, volunteers, and
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clients and to provide optimal coverage during hours of high volume. Initially, some positions described below maybe be fully or partially filled by existing Shelter Operator staff.
Shelter Manager will be a full -time, salaried position with at least 2 years of direct life experience working with long -term homeless, low income, and diverse populations. The Shelter Manager will be responsible for coordinating program services for the shelter. Primary responsibilities include supervising support staff. This position will report directly to the Shelter Operator Director of Programs.
Shelter Manager will be responsible for coordinating volunteer services and providing support for the Chula Vista Village at Otay. The Shelter Manager will work directly with volunteers, conduct orientation, training and provide support to volunteers at the shelter. This role will also recr uit and encourage participation by outside service providers, maintain the service provider room reservation schedule and ensure the day-to-day operational functions of all shelter and volunteer services.
Regional Program Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of case management services. Case management and supportive services will follow Housing First principles and will prioritize clients being linked to housing opportunities through CES and other opportunities. The Program Manager will provide guidance in the delivery of services and will be responsible for approval of client extensions based on the client ’s level of engagement in their housing plan. The Program Manager will provide support to staff during designated shifts and will assign tasks, oversee administrative duties that support program services. The Regional Program Manager reports directly to the Director of Programs.
Engagement Associate Staff will be responsible for providing supportive services and logistical support to the Shelter during designated shifts. This position will require a flexible work schedule including weekend, morning, evening, and holiday shifts to provide optimal coverage during Shelter hours. This position will report directly to the Shelter Manager. This position will assist with shelter setup and maintenance, general cleanliness, and safety of the facility, assisting and receiving orders from vendors, posting and updating signs and service calendars, and more as needed.
Case Manager positions will be supervised by Shelter Operator Regional Program Supervisor. The Case Manager(s) will be responsible for all intakes and will conduct an individual assessment of needs, followed by provision of targeted services focused on returning individuals to permanent housing as quickly as possible. The Case Managers will conduct the VI - SPDAT assessment, determine eligibility, enter assessment into C ES for prioritization and linkage to housing provider, helps clients obtain necessary documents, and provides individuals with employment guidance and community resources.
When clients are referred to other programs, the Case Manager provides a warm hand-off to the service provider.
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Overnight Logistics Coo rdinator position will provide overnight coverage at the Shelter. They will resolve conflicts and file incident reports as necessary, report violations and general events in the daily log. They also oversee the cleaning crew and conduct property checks.
Shelter Volunteers will assist with daily ongoing operations of the shelter as needed. Volunteers will be needed 7 days per week to help between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00p.m. Volunteers will be assisting with set- up, clean-up, preparing and serving meals.
B. Policies for Staff Training
All Chula Vista Village at Otay staff will be trained when hired in emergency evacuation, first aid procedures, mandated reporting policies, crisis intervention, and CPR procedures. This training will be repeated and updated annually and as needed. Staff may receive additional training on dif ferent topics as opportunities arise and are needed.
Each staff member also receives on-going in-service training in crisis management. Staff will also be trained in Strength Based Approaches and positive communication skills. Each staff member will be re quired to attend annual training to update and improve their knowledge. Documentation of training will be kept in each employee’s file by the Shelter Manager and is provided to the Head of Human Resources for filing, when appropriate.
Security staff will be provided sensitivity training to better equip them to work with homeless clients, and those in crisis.
1. Emergency Procedures - Evacuation, First Aid, and CPR, 911 Reporting Shelter staff will be trained in fire, earthquake, and chemical spill evacuation procedures when hired and annually. Evacuation drills with all staff and clients will be held and recorded quarterly. Evacuation protocols will be recorded at the Service Desk for reference.
Evacuation maps will be posted throughout the facility. All staff will be trained in first aid and CPR procedures annually. 911 reporting will be taught in orientation and reviewed annually. CPR certificates will be kept in staff files. Universal precautions will be followed.
2. Safety Conduct - Prevention of Abuse, Crisis Intervention, Conflict Resolution Shelter Operator will have a required training program in prevention of child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, child abuse reporting, and sexual harassment titled. Each staff member will complete this training program annually. Certificates of completion will be recorded in Human Resource files.
Chula Vista Village at Otay staff will complete a course in conflict resolution and crisis intervention upon hire and annually. Documentation of completion will be recorded in staff file.
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3. Appropriate Behavior for Dignity and Respect
Operations, program, administrative and management staff will be trained in a Strengths Based Perspective model of client care. They will be trained regularly, including at time of hire, on the best methods of working with, treating, and responding to clie nts who have had difficult and traumatic life experiences. Each staff member will be expected to put these models to use in every interaction they have with clients and potential clients. Staff members will be offered training regularly and expected to participate actively. Notice of completion will be recorded in staff files, and each staff member should have access to this information in the readily available staff handbook.
4. Communication
Shelter staff will undergo classes in communication skills – such as handling phone calls, confidentiality policies, crisis management and de -escalation of conflict. The communication skills will be reinforced through practice and reviewed at regular staff meetings as warranted. Courses covering topics such as communication skills with mentally ill persons, receptionist skills, communication with difficult people, and conflict resolution will be completed. This training should be done at least monthly and additionally, if deemed necessary.
5. Resources and Referrals
Operations, Program, and Case Manager staff will be oriented to resources, homeless services, and organizations for collaboration and referral. They will also be highly trained staff to connect clients to the Coordinated Entry System, as a system designated entry point.
Protocols for offering and accepting referrals from other agencies will be in place, reviewed by staff, updated, and kept in a manual on-site.
6. Mental Health and Addiction Skills
All program staff will attend mental health training events which include naming of symptoms, co - occurring diseases, de-escalation techniques, and safety protocols. This training will be done at time of hire and annually, or as necessary. Client speakers prese nt workshops on various aspects of mental health diagnoses, symptoms, and care. Staff will be trained in symptoms of drug abuse, and referrals for treatment. Recovery programs will be encouraged, and off-site referrals will be made as appropriate.
Though sobriety will not be a requirement to stay in the Shelter or participate in services, clients will be expected to be able to practice self-care, follow all rules and regulations, and behave appropriately and respectfully toward staff, volunteers, and other clients. Drug use while at the Shelter will be prohibited and will result in immediate exit from the program.
7. Self-care
Regular staff meetings will be held for all staff. Part of the purpose of these meetings will be communication and processing of stressors while working in the difficult environment of a large -scale
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Shelter Program. Staff will be welcome to participate in team -building activities throughout the year, including holiday parties, and events with co-workers.
All staff will be trained in effective communication with coworkers and in proper techniques to address coworker harassment and stressors and will be made aware of the importance in practicing self -care.
Staff will be informed of an open -door policy with supervisors and the Head of the Human Resources department.
8. Annual Staff Evaluation and Training Plan
All staff will be evaluated by their direct supervisor at 60 days from their hire date and at annual intervals. The evaluation form will be stored in the employee file held at the Human Resource office.
9. Documentation of Staff Training
Attendance of and participation in staff training will be recorded in each staff file by the Program Manager of Emergency and Shelter Services. Training required by all staff members will also be recorded in the Human Resources file to ensure each member’s knowledge and information will be up- to-date.
B. Volunteer Policies
1. Selection, Screening, and Background Checks
The Chula Vista Village at Otay Volunteer Coordinator will actively recruit through a variety of sources, including schools, church groups, and community programs on an as needed basis . Volunteer Coordinators will hold regular Volunteer Recruitment events in order to increase the number of volunteers that serve at the Shelter.
Individuals, as well as groups, will be invited to volunteer at the Shelter. It is recommended that all volunteers be 18 years of age or older.
All potential volunteers will be screened for sex offenses and criminal background checks before being confirmed for volunteer duty.
With regard to meal provision, all volunteers interested in providing meals to Shelter clients will have their applications forwarded to Shelter Operator Volunteer Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for holding orientations with meal volunteers regarding ServSafe food handling procedures, Health Department rules regarding meal provision at the Shelter and calendaring all volunteer meals with the Shelter Manager. This meal calendar will be provided 30 days in advance to allow the Shelter adequate time to work with Meal Vendor and ensure that projected volunteer meals are substituted for regular meals in the upcoming month.
2. Orientation and Training
Shelter Operator will include a Volunteer Coordinator position(s) in its staffing plan to support volunteer coordination efforts at the Shelter. The Volunteer Coordinator will handle scheduling, orientation and
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training of the volunteers.
Before beginning service , volunteers will be provided an Application and Agreement that includes information about volunteer duties, appropriate conduct with clients, staff, and other volunteers. Each volunteer will be required to sign this Agreement before they will be assigned a duty at the Shelter.
Volunteers who do not agree with the requirements or refuse to sign will not be assigned a duty and will not be able to volunteer at the Shelter.
Volunteers will be trained on-site at tasks by the Volunteer Coordinator on duty. Any tasks that require a trained staff member will be supervised by that staff member to ensure accuracy and cleanliness.
Volunteers will be given opportunities to attend community forums and events to receive more training about community resources and network with other community agencies.
Volunteers will be expected to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards. Those found in violation of this code will be removed from the facility and may be limited in future volunteer opportunities.
The volunteer code of ethics includes the following:
a. Each volunteer Must Maintain a Firm Commitment to Professional Conduct Volunteers of the Shelter will be expected to maintain the highest level of moral, ethical, and professional conduct while at the site. Volunteers will not engage in verbal abuse, inappropriate jokes and stories, and or any type of inappropriate interaction with Chula Vista Village at Otay staff or clients.
b. Limiting Relationships with Clients
Volunteers will be prohibited from developing dual relationships with any clients they meet through their volunteer involvement at the Chula Vista Village at Otay. Examples of dual relationships include (but will be not limited to) a volunteer entering a business, romantic, or sexual relationship with a client. Soliciting clients for their business will be strictly prohibited.
Volunteers will be not allowed to be named as having authority to make decisions for a client under any type of power of attorney or other legal procedure.
c. Food and Other Substances
Volunteers will not consume any food items or drinks supplied by the Shelter while volunteering.
Food and drinks will be purchased solely for the consumption of the clients. Volunteers must also commit to not consuming any type of illicit drugs on the property while volunteering. Volunteers who appear to be under the influence of any substance that impedes their ability to perform their duties safely and efficiently may be turned away.
d. Discrimination
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Volunteers will not discriminate against any client. They will not judge an individual based on their race, disability, religious preference, sexual orientation, color, age, veteran status, citizenship, ancestry, national origin or gender.
e. Volunteer Boundaries
Volunteers will be not permitted to loan or give money to clients, should not meet with clients outside of the Chula Vista Village at Otay without permission from program staff, and will be not allowed to drive clients in their vehicles.
f. Commitment
Volunteer commitment should be taken seriously. If a volunteer misses a shift without removing themselves from the schedule and giving notice, the volunteer may be limited or restricted from volunteering.
g. Identifiable Lines of Authority
Volunteers will be informed of identifiable lines of authority in their Application Packet. Volunteers will defer to the Volunteer Coordinator on duty to give resources, referrals, and handle situations beyond their responsibility and volunteer agreement.
Volunteers will also have access to the Shelter Manager or lead staff member on site, for questions and grievances.
All volunteers will be provided with a name tag identifying them as such.
3. Descriptions of Volunteer Tasks
Volunteers will be needed 7 days per week. The Shelter Volunteer Coordinator will ensure all volunteers will be provided with a task and description of any duties they might perform. Tasks and duties include, but will be not limited to:
● Setting up and breaking down tables for dinners and breakfasts ● Distributing donations and hygiene items
● Organizing and setting up donations of clothing
● Helping direct lines to donations and food
● Serving meals, setting up snacks and drinks for clients
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Item 7.4
Agreement with Imperial Beach
for Unsheltered Housing
Services
Prepared by
Stacey Kurz, Director
Prepared for
Housing and Homeless Services
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2 210
Individuals Served
Since May 2023
124
FY 25/26
Enrolled Participants
39 FY 25/26
Successful Exits to Housing
Chula Vista Village at Otay
“The Village”
First bridge shelter in South Bay offering 62 individual pallet sleeping cabins.
Serves individuals 18+ with temporary housing and wrap-around support services.
Recently upgraded to improve operations with an additional community room and ADA restrooms.
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4 City of Imperial Beach
Unsheltered 25
During 2026 PITC
2026 Point-in-Time Count
2026 Sheltered 2026
Unsheltered
2025
Unsheltered
2025-26 Unsheltered
Change
Emergency
Shelter
Transitional
Housing
Safe
Haven
Total
South
Region
Coronado 0 0 0 0 2 1 100%
National City 168 13 0 181 149 135 10.3%
Chula Vista
(Sweetwater) 295 45 0 340 355 470 -24.5%
Imperial Beach 0 0 0 0 25 17 47.1%
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5 Reimbursable Agreement
Provides Imperial Beach ability to refer unsheltered individuals to Chula Vista’s Homeless Outreach Team for housing services.
The Village
Establishes a nightly rate for
clients once vetted by CV HOT.
Administration
CV Housing costs to provide
rental assistance services.
Rental Assistance
Provides funds for monthly
rental subsidy up to 24
months.
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8 Authorize City Manager to enter the
Memorandum of Understanding with
City of Imperial Beach for Unsheltered
Housing Services.
Recommendation
City of Chula Vista
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Pavement Major Rehabilitation Project
Public Outreach Update
Luis Schaar
Director & City Engineer
Engineering & Capital Projects Department
August 18, 2026
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Fourth Avenue
Alignment
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Typical Pavement Operations
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Key Stakeholders
Apartment & Condo Complexes: 20
Businesses & Malls: 10
Parks & Other City Facilities: 9
Schools: 8
Medical Providers: 5
Churches: 4
Bus Routes: 2
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Form Rev 9/30/2025
RESOLUTION NO. __________
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 1267
(PELLERIN) ESTABLISHING 18 YEARS OF AGE AS THE
MINIMUM AGE FOR MARRIAGE AND DOMESTIC
PARTNERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, marriage is a significant legal and personal commitment that carries lifelong legal, financial, social, and personal consequences; and
WHEREAS, under current California law, individuals under 18 years of age may marry under certain circumstances, including with judicia l authorization and parental or guardian consent; and
WHEREAS, minors may face unique challenges in understanding and freely consenting to the long-term legal and personal consequences of marriage, particularly when there are significant differences in age, power, or economic dependence between the minor and an adult spouse; and
WHEREAS, child marriage can have lasting consequences for a young person's education, economic independence, health, safety, and future opportunities, and can increase vulnerability to domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse and coercion; and
WHEREAS, California has an opportunity to strengthen its protections for children by ensuring that no person under the age of 18 can be legally married; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1267 (Pellerin) would prohibit marriage and domestic partnerships for individuals under 18 years of age, thereby establishing 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage in California; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista supports efforts to protect children from exploitation and coercion and recognizes every child should have the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop in a safe environment free from the pressures and legal consequences of marriage.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, that it supports Assembly Bill 1267 prohibiting marriage and domestic partnerships for individuals under 18 years of age and urges the State Legislature to pass the measure and the Governor to sign it into law.
Presented by Approved as to form by
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Resolution No.
John McCann Marco A. Verdugo
Mayor City Attorney
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