City of Sacramento
City Council Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-01423 7/26/2022 Discussion Item 24.
Title: Reinstate Resolution 2021-0058 to Original Scope of Operations for the Outreach and Engagement Center Site
File ID: 2022-01423
Location: District 2
Recommendation: Pass a Motion: 1) Reinstating R2021-0058, to original scope of operations for the Outreach and Engagement Center Site; 2) Allow the Outreach and Engagement Center to be open seven days a week, for up to 23 hours per day, serving up to 50 people; 3) Allow the Outreach and Engagement Center to serve as a safe setting for those experiencing homelessness to access resources; and 4) Approval of the Department of Community Response Good Neighbor Policy.
Contact: Mary Lynne Vellinga, Chief of Staff, 916-808-7881, [email protected], Mayor’s Office
Presenter: Mayor Darrell Steinberg, 916-808-5300, [email protected], Mayor’s Office
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Good Neighbor Policy
3-R2021-0058 Elimination of Criteria to Open Emergency Shelters and Direction to include Operation of Triage Shelters
4-Notice of Exemption
5-Comprehensive Siting Plan Site CEQA Review
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: On any given night in Sacramento, several thousand people live unsheltered outdoors. The 2022 Point in Time Homeless Count released by the Sacramento County Continuum of Care reported approximately 9,278 individuals experienced homelessness throughout the County. Despite the placement of over 1,600 people in supportive housing in 2020, the number of people living outdoors continues to be exacerbated by the City of Sacramento Page 1 of 4
File ID: 2022-01423 7/26/2022 Discussion Item 24.
public health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with inadequate numbers of shelter beds to meet the demand.
On January 26, 2021, Northern California experienced an atmospheric river system, the first severe storm of 2021, with an inch of rain in downtown Sacramento and southerly wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour.
On January 27, 2021, the City Council held an Emergency City Council meeting and adopted an emergency declaration to take all action necessary to address the local emergency and imminent health and safety threats to the unhoused population during significant weather events. The City Council proclaimed the existence of a local emergency related to persons experiencing homelessness in extreme winter conditions and provided direction to the City Manager and the Emergency Services Manager to take all action necessary to address the local emergency, to address imminent health and safety threats to unhoused population during significant weather events.
The City Council directed staff to open warming centers, regardless of the Sacramento County requirements for temperature or weather events, in order to offer residents respite from the health effects of being unsheltered.
As a result, City staff was able to open multiple warming centers to include the downtown library, City parking garage, City Hall, community centers and a church utilizing a combination of City staff and resources as well as private donations, community volunteers and County resources.
On March 9, 2021 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-0058, that directed the City Manager to adopt a City policy that overnight respite will be provided year-round in Triage Centers, regardless of weather conditions, dispersed throughout the City. Specifically, the Council directed the City Manager to aggressively pursue a network of walk-in Triage Centers in underutilized public and privately enclosed spaces and safe parking lots throughout the City where people currently experiencing homelessness are living outdoors.
In response, City staff identified prospective Respite Center sites including a City owned location that was formerly the Science & Space Center Museum (3615 Auburn Blvd.). The facility is currently available, configured, and ready for operations. A contract to operate the Outreach and Engagement Center site was approved by City Council on January 4, 2022 (Motion No. 2022-0008). However, on March 4, 2022, Motion No. 2022-0073 was passed, providing direction that the Outreach and Engagement Center (O&E Center) site may only be open when specific weather thresholds are met and the site may only be operated for a limited time. Under this direction for the summer months, the Outreach and Engagement center can only be activated when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a Heat Advisory.
Since March 4, 2022 under the weather related criteria, the City has activated the Outreach and Engagement center for a total of five days. There have been many other days in which the temperature in Sacramento was at or exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit, including several occasions where there were multiple days in a row of such heat. However, because the NWS did not issue a Heat Advisory on those days, the respite center remained closed. While there have been positive impacts for our City’s most vulnerable on the days when the center has been opened, the inconsistent nature of activation has hindered efforts to build the necessary rapport to reduce barriers to housing and empower those experiencing homelessness to engage in comprehensive services.
City of Sacramento Page 2 of 4
File ID: 2022-01423 7/26/2022 Discussion Item 24.
The Mayor is now proposing Council pass a Motion reinstating R2021-0058 as it related to the Outreach and Engagement Center and accomplishes that following items:
1. Allow the Outreach and Engagement Center to be open seven days a week for up to 23 hours per day, serving up to 50 people at a time.
2. Allow the O&E Center to also serve in its full capacity as an Outreach and Engagement Center during the day, where those experiencing homelessness can find a safe and dignified setting to receive additional services, resources, and referrals to other programming.
3. Approve DCR’s Good Neighbor Policy (GNP) for this location, as discussed and agreed upon by the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home, which is located directly to the Southeast of the Outreach and Engagement Center.
Per the original agreement with the Outreach and Engagement Center Operator, Hope Cooperative, referrals to the Center are to only be made via DCR between the hours of 4pm and 6pm. Entry will take place by referral, and those within the immediate vicinity will receive first priority.
DCR will provide a monthly data report to Council and the Community relevant to operations at the Outreach and Engagement Center.
The Mayor believes this course of action is in keeping with the policy considerations discussed on March 9, 2021 when the Council passed Resolution No. 2021-0058 “Elimination of Weather Criteria to Open Emergency Shelters and Direction to include Operation of Year-Round Triage Shelters as part of the City’s Shelter System and Ongoing City of Sacramento Work Program and Budget” to open Triage Centers year- round and independent of weather variables.
Policy Considerations: On March 9, 2021 Council passed Resolution No. 2021-0058 “Elimination of Weather Criteria to Open Emergency Shelters and Direction to include Operation of Year-Round Triage Shelters as part of the City’s Shelter System and Ongoing City of Sacramento Work Program and Budget” to open Triage Centers year-round and independent of weather variables. On January 4, 2022, City Council approved the City Manager to execute an agreement with Hope Cooperative for Respite Center Program Services city-wide.
Economic Impacts: Not Applicable.
Environmental Considerations: The proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) as it can be seen with certainty that no significant effect on the environmental would occur, as set forth in the Notice of Exemption filed on February 16, 2022 City of Sacramento Page 3 of 4
File ID: 2022-01423 7/26/2022 Discussion Item 24.
(Attachment 4).
The City Council has reviewed the proposed use for 3615 Auburn Boulevard, and, as set forth in Attachment 5, has concluded that the operation of the respite center would have no significant effect on the environment.
Sustainability: Not Applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The Outreach and Engagement Center is a fully viable location that can provide respite to those in the nearby community experiencing homelessness.
Approximately 9,278 individuals experience homelessness throughout the County. The number of people living outdoors continues to be exacerbated by the public health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the lack of shelter beds located within the City.
Financial Considerations: The City Council has already approved a contract for the provision of Respite Services.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not Applicable.
City of Sacramento Page 4 of 4
Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC) Respite Program Good Neighbor Policy A. Program Operation.
1. Contractor will be responsible for daily program operations.
2. The program will be locked to limit access to only approved guests.
3. Prior to program entry, perspective guests will be screened for 290 status using a federal database public search, and registered sex offenders will not be permitted access.
4. All guests will be required to pass through a security check upon site entry. During this check, they will be a
sked to have personal items searched. There shall be no weapons permitted on site (this includes, but is not limited to: knives, firearms or other projectile weapons, blunt objects, etc.).
5. Guests will not be permitted to leave the property after nightly intake is completed unless there are m
itigating circumstances approved by the contractor.
6. Services will be guest-centered. They include case management, linking to financial and non-financial re
sources, medical and behavioral health, alcohol and other drug treatment, employment and others.
7. The site is limited to guests, service providers and staff; no visitors.
8. Drug use and sales are not allowed on or around the program site. Possession is not allowed on-site.
B. Noise.
1. No amplified sound is allowed on the site.
2 . A
ll noise from outside activities would be consistent with normal activities in the neighborhood and would not have a significant impact on the neighborhood.
C. Cleanliness.
1. The area around the pro gram shall be kept clean, with no visible negative impact to the neighborhood.
2. Gu
ests can only smoke in designated smoking areas and must properly dispose of all cigarette butts.
D. Site Staff.
1. The pr ogram will be staffed by the Contractor 24 -hours a day, seven days a week.
2. S
taff will be experienced in working with vulnerable populations, including those suffering from mental health
issues, understand cultural competencies, and be knowledgeable in de-escalating crises as necessary.
Staff will be trained in areas such Harm Reduction principles, cultural competencies, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care.
E. Site Security.
1. Due to the size and layout of the property, there will be 24-hour security on-site and patrolling the outside perimeter to provide a safe environment for guests and staff. Security Guards will also be trained in areas such as Harm Reduction principles, cultural competencies, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care.
2. Endeavoring to keep all guests in program during the overnight hours, all reasonable efforts will be made by the contractor to keep guests safe from the elements. Guests who experience difficulty with interpersonal interactions will be offered a designated isolation space as available, to de-escalate any behavioral issues observed by staff and other guests.
3. Guests who engage in criminal behavior, as well as guests who have been asked to leave due to unsafe behaviors and refuse to do so; will be subject to law enforcement action removal.
4. The program will be enclosed by a fence with one primary entrance and exit which shall be monitored by staff.
5. Guests’ belongings will be searched before they are allowed to enter.
6. Loitering, camping, and informal food and clothing distribution around the program will not be allowed.
7. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies will be utilized to identify and remedy areas that are dark or secluded or otherwise places of vulnerability.
F. Community and Coordination with the Neighborhood
1. Regular Community meetings will be hosted to provide updates regarding program operations and will provide a venue for neighbors, businesses, and other community stakeholders to provide feedback and co-produce improvements.
2. As the Children’s Receiving Home (CRH) is bordered directly to the west of the property, should any participant of their program come onto the program site, a designated contact from CRH will be immediately notified, and all efforts will be made to return them to CRH.
3. The City has established signage along the access road bordering the program site and the CRH outlining that the road is intended for emergency access and therefore parking, loitering or camping is not permitted. The City intends to maintain that area for its intended purpose. Additionally, the City will establish any additional signage as-needed. Contracted security will regularly patrol this area on perimeter checks to ensure safety and compliance.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-0058
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
March 9, 2021
Elimination of Weather Criteria to Open Emergency Shelters and Direction to Include Operation of Year-Round Triage Shelters as part of the City’s Shelter System and Ongoing City of Sacramento Work Program and Budget
BACKGROUND
A. On any given night in Sacramento, severa l thousand people live unsheltered outdoors.
The 2019 Point in Time Homeless Count released by the Sacramento County Continuum of Care reported 5,570 individuals who were unsheltered. On June 30, 2020, Sacramento Steps Forward detailed 5,123 people experiencing homelessness in Sacramento County, a majority of whom were in the City of Sacramento; that number did not decline through calendar year 2020 despite the placement of over 1,600 people in supportive housing. The number of people living outdoors continues to be exacerbated in 2021 by the COVID pandemic public health and economic crises with inadequate numbers of shelter beds to meet the demand.
B. In September 2018, a panel of the Ninth Circuit decided the Martin v. City of Boise, wherein the court ruled that, except under specific circumstances, enforcement of ordinances that prohibit sleeping or camping on public property by individuals experiencing homelessness is unconstitutional when meaningful alternatives such as a shelter space or legal places to camp. The Ninth Circuit amended its opinion in April 2019 but denied a petition for rehearing by the full court and in December 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for review filed by the City of Boise.
C. On January 5, 2021, the City Council confirme d that addressing this shelter crisis and the devastating need for housing individuals is the City’s highest priority. The City Council also adopted a comprehensive city-wide work program to identify and define additional prevention services and comprehensively identify sites throughout the city that would provide both temporary and long-term housing solutions, such as safe parking and camping areas, new shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive and affordable housing with systematic implementation (Resolution 2021-0004). The preparation of a Comprehensive Master Plan for Siting, Operations, Programs and Financing is in progress with a Council vote to consider the Plan anticipated in June 2021.
Resolution 2021-0058 March 9, 2021 Pa
ge 1 of 4
D. On January 12, 2021, the City Council approv ed the continuation of a local declaration of a shelter crisis and extended the duration of the present shelter crisis to January 12, 2022. The shelter crisis was first declared on January 14, 2020 for one year under chapter 7.8 of division 1 of title 2 of the California Government Code and at that time the Council directed the city manager to take action to streamline the provision of homeless shelters (Resolution 2020-0017).
E. On January 26, 2021, Northern California ex perienced an atmospheric river system, the first severe storm of 2021, with an inch of rain in downtown Sacramento and southerly wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour. The storm destroyed the temporary shelters, tents and property of those experiencing homelessness in Sacramento. At least four people died during this time period.
F. On January 27, 2021, the City Council held an Emergency City Council meeting and adopted an emergency declaration to take all action necessary to address the local emergency and imminent health and safety threats to the unhoused population during significant weather events. The City Council proclaimed the existence of a local emergency related to persons experiencing homelessness in extreme winter conditions and provided direction to the City Manager and the Emergency Services Director to take all action necessary to address the local emergency, to address imminent health and safety threats to unhoused population during significant weather events (Resolution No. 2021-0023). The City Council directed staff to open warming centers, regardless of the Sacramento County requirements for temperature or weather events, in order to offer residents respite from the health effects of being unsheltered.
G. Since the Council action of January 27, 2021, City staff have opened three warming centers in a downtown library, city parking garage and a church with the support of individual Councilmembers, private donations for supplies, social worker staffing by Sacramento County, and a tremendous corps of community volunteers. Over 80 individuals have been served each night the facilities were open for walk-in or safe parking operations. Intended as shelter to provide a warm, safe place for overnight respite, the facilities have also served as walk-in triage centers to connect people to mental health and other services including motel vouchers for especially vulnerable populations including pregnant women, families, and elderly veterans.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council recognizes t he urgent need to bring residents indoors with temporary and permanent shelter and housing solutions. The condition of living outdoors is a public health crisis regardless of the weather conditions, whether they include heat, cold, severe winds, rainfall, or poor air quality.
Resolution 2021-0058 March 9, 2021 Pa
ge 2 of 4
Section 2. Short-term shelter is not an end, but in many cases an essential beginning to helping people connect to the mental health and other services they need to secure housing and stability in their lives.
Section 3. Triage Centers, both daytime a nd overnight, established by the City with a network that includes quality non-profit service providers, local assembly and faith-based organizations, Sacramento County social service agencies, and private property owners, will allow the City to bring more people indoors in much greater numbers, even temporarily, while the City Council confronts the difficult decisions to site longer-term shelter, treatment facilities and housing projects deemed essential to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness and finds the resources to fund and finance these facilities.
Section 4. The City Council directs the City Manager to remove the temperature-related criteria to provide warming shelters and instead adopt a City policy that overnight respite will be provided year-round in Triage Centers dispersed throughout the City.
Section 5. The City Council di rects the City Manager to include the Triage Centers in the work program for the Department of Community Response and Office of Emergency Management and to aggressively pursue a network of walk-in Triage Centers in underutilized public and privately enclosed spaces and safe parking lots throughout the City where people currently experiencing homelessness are living outdoors. The City Council also directs the City Manager to dedicate specific Triage Centers or Centers with separate entrances and facilities to specifically serve families with children.
Section 6. The City Council directs the Cit y Manager to identify and allocate funding sources for the Triage Centers and report back to the City Council for the remainder of FY 2020-21 and for inclusion in the FY 2021-22 budget the resources needed to implement a robust program.
Resolution 2021-0058 March 9, 2021 Pa ge 3 of 4
Adopted by the City of Sacramento City Council on March 9, 2021 by the following vote:
Ayes: Members Ashby, Guerra, Harris, Jenning s, Loloee, Schenirer, Valenzuela, Vang, and Mayor Steinberg
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Attest:
_____________________________________
Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk
The presence of an electronic signature certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy as approved by the Sacramento City Council.
Resolution 2021-0058 March 9, 2021 Pa ge 4 of 4
Mindy Cuppy
Digitally signed by Mindy Cuppy
Date: 2021.06.16 16:18:49
-07'00'
1 City of Sacramento
Department of Public Works and Department of Community
Development
Comprehensive Siting Plan Site CEQA Review: 3615 Auburn Boulevard
Date: February 1, 2022
Name of site: 3615 Auburn Boulevard
Site Address and/or Assessor Parcel Number (APN): 3615 Auburn Boulevard; APN 240- 0342-011
2035 General Plan and Zoning: General Plan Land Use = Parks and Recreation; Zoning = R-1 (Standard Single Family)
Size of site: Southern portion of an approximately 13.9-acre parcel Proposed use: Overnight Respite/Daytime Engagement & Triage Services Setting (use of nearby properties and infrastructure features):
North South East West
Arcade Creek; Park
Road; single-family
residential; Interstate
80 Auburn Boulevard;
multi-family
residential;
commercial
Bridge Road; Harry
Renfree Field; Del
Paso Regional Park
Children’s Receiving
Home of
Sacramento; Watt
Avenue; Interstate 80
Site Background Overview: The project site was historically used as the Sacramento Discovery Museum Science and Space Center (Museum), which was a non-profit organization aimed at educating and inspiring young children in science. The Museum was located on-site from 1976 until 2021, when it was relocated to 400 Jibboom Street, and rebranded as the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. The existing building on-site is now vacant, and the site is unused. The majority of the project site has remained undeveloped, with the Museum building and parking lot located in the southern portion of the site.
Prior CEQA review: The City has not conducted previous review of the site or on-site activities pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, (CEQA).
Review of the Proposed Project
The following section describes the existing site conditions and provides a review of the proposed operations and the potential for operation to result in impacts to the physical environment.
Site Location and Existing Condition
The project site is located at 3615 Auburn Boulevard in the City of Sacramento (see Figure 1).
The parcel on which the project site is located is largely undeveloped, with the vacant Sacramento Discovery Museum Science and Space Center located in the southern portion of the site. 2 Figure 1
Project Site Boundaries Map
*Project Site boundaries are approximate.
Single-Family
Residential
Multi-Family
Residential
Commercial
Multi-Family
Residential
Harry
Renfree Field
Del Paso
Regional Park
Project Site
Legend
Project Parcel
Project Site
(Vacant Discovery
Museum)
Project
Parcel
3 Arcade Creek flows east to west across the northern edge of the project site parcel. Access to the project site is from Auburn Boulevard is by way of an existing asphalt driveway.
The project site is substantially surrounded by urban uses, including Park Road, single-family residences, and Interstate 80 (I-80) to the north; Auburn Boulevard, multi-family residential, and commercial uses to the south; Bridge Road, Harry Renfree Field, and Del Paso Regional Park to the east; and Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, Watt Avenue, and I-80 to the west.
Operation
The proposed project would use the former Sacramento Discovery Museum Science and Space Center building to provide space for administrative offices and emergency respite and services.
Respite and daytime engagement/triage services consist of a safe space to stay overnight, and assistance with enrollment into mainstream services and triage into appropriate shelter and housing programs in the community.
Admittance to the program would be through referral from the Department of Community Response (DCR), local Park Rangers, and the Department of Human Services. The referral groups would target unsheltered persons already staying in close proximity to the project site, as there is camping that now occurs in the neighborhood. An intake director would work directly with the referral providers to develop a daily roster and control census.
The proposed project would include minor improvements to the existing Museum site. On-site improvements would include either the removal or fencing of a dilapidated shed located behind the main building, and installation of a fence around the perimeter of the Museum site to enclose the area permitted to be used by guests. In addition, interior improvements to the vacant Museum building would include the replacement of upstairs carpet and a wifi/camera set up. Portable restrooms and dog kennels would be provided on-site. The proposed project would not include the construction of any additional structures, or other on- or off-site improvements.
Respite entry hours would occur seven days a week between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and the project would be operational from 4:00 PM to 7:00 AM nightly to provide respite services. During intake, guests would be provided an opportunity to join comprehensive shelter and housing programs in the community. On-site follow-up appointments for guests who elect to join such programs would be scheduled between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM the following day (five days a week) to complete a Comprehensive Needs Assessment where the project operator would find necessary resources, as well as work with providers in the community to enroll guests into 24- hour comprehensive programs. The proposed project would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a third-party operator.
Good Neighbor Policies
The following is a list of site-specific Good Neighbor Policies that would be implemented for 3615 Auburn Boulevard prior to the site’s operation as an Overnight Respite/Daytime Engagement and Triage Services site:
A. Program Operation.
1. Contractor will be responsible for daily Program operations.
2. The Program will be locked to limit access to only approved guests.
3. Guests will be screened for 290 status and registered sex offenders will not be allowed access.
4. Guests will pass through a metal detector upon entrance to search for weapons. 4 5. Lockers will be provided for guests and all belongings must be securely locked away.
6. Guests will not be permitted to leave the property after nightly intake is completed unless there are mitigating circumstances approved by the contractor. If guests insist on leaving, they will not be permitted back in the center until being referred back the following day.
7. Services will be guest-centered. They include case management, linking to financial and non-financial resources, medical and behavioral health, alcohol and other drug treatment, employment and others.
8. The site is limited to guests, service providers and staff; no visitors.
9. Drug use and sales are not allowed on or around the Program site.
B. Noise.
1. No amplified sound is allowed on the site.
2. All noise from outside activities would be consistent with normal activities in the neighborhood and would not have a significant impact on the neighborhood.
C. Cleanliness.
1. The area around the Program shall be kept clean, with no visible negative impact to the neighborhood. “The area around the program” is defined as all public property 25 feet surrounding the Program.
2. Guests can only smoke in designated smoking areas and must properly dispose of all cigarette butts.
D. Site Staff.
1. The Program will be staffed by the Contractor 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Staff will be experienced in working with vulnerable populations, including those suffering from mental health issues, understand cultural competencies, and be knowledgeable in de-escalating crises as necessary.
3. Staff will be trained in areas such Harm Reduction principles, cultural competencies, de- escalation, and trauma-informed care.
E. Site Security.
1. Due to the size and layout of the property, there will be 2 Security Guards on the property at all times to provide a safe environment for guests and staff. Security Guards will also be trained in areas such as Harm Reduction principles, cultural competencies, de- escalation, and trauma-informed care.
2. Any guest threatening the safety of the Program staff or the public will be discharged from the program, and the appropriate first response action taken.
3. The Program will be enclosed by a fence with one primary entrance and exit which shall be monitored by staff.
4. Guests’ belongings will be searched before they are allowed to enter.
5. Loitering, camping, and informal food and clothing distribution around the Program will not be allowed.
6. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies will be utilized to identify and remedy areas that are dark or secluded or otherwise places of vulnerability.
5 CEQA Review
The project qualifies for the exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3):
A project is exempt from CEQA if:… The activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
The discussion below identifies the analysis of the City in its CEQA review of the proposal.
General plan and zoning
The 2035 General Plan designation for the project site is Parks and Recreation. The 2035 General Plan indicates that the Parks and Recreation designation provides for public and private recreational opportunities to surrounding neighborhoods, communities, and the region including parks (community and regional parks), greenways and trails, golf courses and commercial recreation facilities with an emphasis on outdoor, and compatible public, quasi-public, and selected special uses.
The general plan recognizes the importance of responding to the human service needs of persons experiencing homeless:
Facilities Location. The City shall work with the County on identifying adequate sites for health and human services facilities within the city to ensure that such facilities are easily accessible, distributed equitably throughout the city in a manner that makes the best use of existing facilities, and are compatible with adjoining uses. (PHS 5.1.1)
The City is implementing a program to respond to the needs of the community, both persons who are experiencing homelessness and established communities. The project would establish decent and accessible facilities; the City program has, as a goal, the equitable distribution of facilities throughout the community.
Homeless Population. The City shall work with public and private social service agencies to site facilities to address the human service needs of the city’s homeless populations. (PHS 5.1.4)
In addition to the general plan support for addressing homelessness, the City adopted a Comprehensive Siting Plan to Address Homelessness (“Siting Plan”). The proposed project is consistent with the goals of the Siting Plan to address the urgent homeless crisis in a sustained and successful way.
Identifying the causes of homelessness and crafting meaningful programs has proven to be a difficult task for local communities, and the City of Sacramento is no exception. The general plan includes many policies that relate to the issue at hand, including housing policies, respect for neighborhoods and legitimate concerns of the residents of the City at large. The City’s Housing Element seeks to identify and implement policies supporting community-wide housing needs, and the City’s success in achieving a healthy housing balance in the community is related to the needs of persons experiencing homelessness. Chapter H-9 of the Housing Element, entitled 6 “Sustainable, Stable and Integrated Communities,” for example, identifies many of the policies intended to support community-wide housing needs. The proposed project is consistent with general plan goals, as well as the intent of the Siting Plan.
The project site is located within the R-1 zone of the City of Sacramento. Section 17.204.200 of the City Code identifies the purpose of the R-1 zone, to accommodate low-density residential uses composed of single-unit detached residences and duplex dwellings on corner lots. Permitted uses for the R-1 zone are set forth in Section 17.204.210. The proposed temporary overnight Respite center is an allowed use on-site, and would enable the City to use a vacant, city-owned building to help address the homeless crisis in the City, and in particular, the immediate environs.
Site and project characteristics
The parcel on which the project site is located is largely undeveloped; the project site consists entirely of the vacant Sacramento Discovery Museum Science and Space Center located in the southern portion of the site. While the undeveloped portions of the site, including Arcade Creek, contain natural habitats that could support rare, threatened or endangered species, the proposed project would not result in any additional development or disturbance on-site beyond what is currently present. As discussed above, fencing would be installed around the project site to enclose the area permitted to be used by guests. Therefore, natural habitats that could support rare, threatened or endangered species would not be disturbed as a result of the proposed project.
The proposed project would not include the removal of any on-site trees.
Access to the project site is by way of existing roadways that have adequate capacity to accommodate the relatively limited trips that would be generated by the proposed project. As most of the daily guests are anticipated to come from the homeless population in the immediate area, vehicle trips to and from the site would be primarily limited to those associated with staff.
The nearest noise-sensitive receptors to the project site consist of the residences located directly to the west of the project site. Activities that would generate loud noise would not occur; amplified sound would not be used or permitted. Given that building power would be provided by existing connections to the grid, noise from emergency generators would not occur on-site.
As discussed above, admittance to the program would be through referral and would target unsheltered persons staying within 0.125-mile of the project site, and, thus, the reasonable assumption can be made that the majority of guests traveling to and from the proposed project would do so through alternative transportation means such as walking and biking. As such, air quality emissions from project operations would be primarily limited to employee vehicles traveling to and from the site. Given the small scale of the proposed project, the resultant emissions would be considered negligible and below the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s thresholds of significance.
Development of the proposed project would consist of minor improvements to the existing Museum site such as the removal or fencing of a dilapidated shed and the installation of a fence to enclose the area where guests are permitted. As such, the proposed project would not substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area. On-site runoff would flow into the City’s existing storm drainage system, similar to the current conditions of the project site, and adverse effects to water quality would not occur.
Demand for City services could include law enforcement and fire protection. The City has substantial capacity to provide such services; and ongoing monitoring and enforcement of on-site activities by a third-party operator would reduce demand for law enforcement and fire protection services. More specifically, as discussed above, there will be two Security Guards on the property 7 at all times to provide a safe environment for guests and staff. In addition, loitering, camping, and informal food and clothing distribution around the Program will not be allowed. These robust safety measures will minimize the need for additional law enforcement services at the site and ensure the safety of nearby residents, including those at the adjacent Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento.
The existing building is currently connected to the City’s water and sewer systems, and has adequate capacity to be used by on-site staff and guests. In addition, sufficient portable restrooms and hand wash stations would be brought on-site for use by project occupants. The restrooms would be serviced by a third-party at regular intervals. All garbage and food waste must be deposited in covered receptacles that are emptied when filled and the contents disposed of in a sanitary manner.
Cumulative Impact
The project site is located within a residential area, which is mostly developed. The nearest Priority Site to the project site is Site 2A (Roseville Road RT Parking Lot), which is located approximately
1.18 miles from the project site. The nearest Priority Site is not located in close enough proximity to the project site such that the homeless populations would be overconcentrated in any one area, thereby having the potential to create combined cumulative effects.
Hazardous Waste Sites
The California Environmental Protection Agency provides a list of data resources that provide information regarding the facilities or sites identified as meeting the “Cortese List” requirements, pursuant to Government Code 65962.5. According to the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) EnviroStor database, the project site is not located on any list compiled pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code. The proposed project would not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment in regard to being located on a hazardous waste site.
Conclusion
This Memorandum demonstrates that the proposed project can be considered exempt from CEQA under Section 15601(b)(3). The City has determined that it can be seen with certainty that the proposed project would not have a significant effect on the environment.