City of Sacramento
City Council - 12:30PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00944 8/1/2023 Discussion Item 3.
Amending Weather Respite Activation Criteria
File ID: 2023- 00944
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution that will amend weather respite activation criteria to include any National Weather Service extreme weather events, including (but not limited to) wind, flood, or rain events which will be implemented by the City Manager.
Contact: Nick Golling, Homeless Services Manager, (916) 808-7816, [email protected], Department of Community Response Presenter: Nick Golling, Homeless Services Manager, (916) 808-7816, [email protected], Department of Community Response Attachments:
1 - Description/Analysis
2 - Councilmember Proposal Request Submission sponsored by Council Members Katie Valenzuela and Caity Maple
3 - Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: This item is a follow up discussion to City Council Discussion Item No. 2 re weather respite criteria held on June 27, 2023.
On March 1, 2022, Council passed a motion to open the Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC) at 3615 Auburn Boulevard as a respite center with weather criteria and weather criteria would also apply to other respite centers in the City.
These criteria current weather criteria include the following opening thresholds:
Cold Weather: 1. Nighttime lows of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span; or 2. Rain for two or more consecutive days (forecast 60% or more); or 3. One day or night of rain combined with nighttime lows of 32 degrees or lower.
File ID: 2023-00944 8/1/2023 Discussion Item 3.
Hot Weather: 1. Publication of a National Weather Service (NWS) Heat Advisory. An NWS Heat Advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Advisory is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100° or higher for at least 2 days, and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°.
The weather respite activation criteria is now being amended to include any National Weather Service extreme weather events, including (but not limited to) wind, flood, or rain events as stated in Council Member Proposal Request Submission sponsored by Council Members Katie Valenzuela and Caity Maple.
Amending the opening thresholds include the following:
Wind/Severe Weather Threshold:
1. NWS issuance of a High-Wind Watch, Warning, Wind Advisory, or Severe Thunderstorm Watch/Warning.
Cold Weather Threshold:
1. A 50% or higher probability of nighttime lows of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span.
2. Rain for two or more consecutive days (forecast 60% or more) during Meteorological Fall and Winter (September 1 - March 1)
3. One day or night of rain combined with nighttime lows with a 50% or higher probability of 32 degrees or lower.
4. A wind chill factor of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span; or
5. A Wind Advisory announced by the National Weather Service, Sacramento during Meteorological Fall and Winter (September 1 - March 1).
Hot Weather Threshold:
1. NWS issuance of an Excessive Heat Watch, Warning, or Heat Advisory Air Quality Index (AQI) Threshold:
1. AQI of 151 or higher. Categorized as “Unhealthy”, some members of the general public may experience healthier effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
These recommended thresholds are closely in line with the thresholds used by the County of Sacramento and are aligned with the Partnership Agreement between the City of Sacramento and the County of Sacramento, and the subsequent Collaboration Protocol for City-County Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (“Collaboration Protocols”):
File ID: 2023-00944 8/1/2023 Discussion Item 3.
“Section C: Collaboration Protocol, Item 5, Shelter and Housing, “Coordinate ongoing operations for emergency shelter sites that remain open at all times (including, nights, weekends and holidays), for respite sites, and for weather respite sites, including the staffing of sites, and the provision of basic needs, security, hygiene, storage, cleaning, and maintenance.”
These criteria are separate and distinct from State and County Office of Emergency Services Severe Weather Emergency Plans which are monitored by the City’s Office of Emergency Services. Respite Center opening thresholds are monitored by the Department of Community Response.
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations:
The proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) (it can be seen with certainty that no significant effect on the environment would occur), 15269(c) (relating to specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency), and 15301 (existing facilities). The proposed resolution simply updates the weather respite center’s opening thresholds to account for extreme weather conditions. These centers offer respite to individuals to mitigate the health effects of exposure to extreme weather.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: This item is a follow-up to discussion item no. 2 on Council Council’s agenda on June 27, 2023, and a Council Member Proposal Request Submission sponsored by Council Members Katie Valenzuela and Caity Maple.
Financial Considerations: Not Applicable.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not Applicable.
Background: On March 9, 2021, the City Council 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. (Resolution No. 2021-0058.) 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.
File ID: 2023-00944 8/1/2023 Discussion Item 3.
In response, City staff identified prospective respite center sites including a City owned location that was formerly the Science and Space Center Museum (3615 Auburn Blvd.). A contract to operate the Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC) site was approved by City Council on January 4, 2022 (Motion No. 2022-0008).
On March 1, 2022, Council passed a motion to open the OEC as a respite center with weather criteria with the activation thresholds as noted above.
On July 26, 2022, Council voted to have the OEC operated as a triage center per Resolution No. 2021-0058 allowing the OEC to open to a full capacity of up to 50 people daily.
In late September 2022, the OEC opened to full capacity. The OEC has proven to be a successful tool in its ability to be flexible during inclement weather conditions. During the severe weather storms earlier this year, the OEC was able to accommodate up to 100 individuals at a time.
On March 28, 2023, Council approved a one-year extension of operations at the Outreach and Engagement Center with TLCS Inc., dba Hope Cooperative. The OEC has continued to serve up to 50 individuals per day, 7- days a week, up to 23-hours per day while also having the capacity to surge when activated to a total of 100 per day.
SAC�MENTO
COUNCILMEMBER PROPOSAL REQUEST SUBMISSION
Process as outlined in the Council Rules of Procedure, Chapter 12.
Submission Date: June 26, 2023
SUBJECT (brief summary): Expanded Respite Services in the City of Sacramento Councilmember Sponsor: Councilmember Katie Valenzuela and Councilmember Caity Maple Assigned Council Staff Member: n/a
Proposal Summary/Recommendation (Provide a brief description of the proposal):
This proposal is to expand respite services in the City of Sacramento by taking the following actions:
• Expand weather criteria to include any National Weather Service identified extreme weather events, including {but not limited to) wind, flood, or rain events. • Establish standard notification procedures to enable adequate access to weather respite centers, including:
o At least 24 hours notice, distributed on social media and in partnership with local media outlets.
o A standard pick-up location at City Hall in partnership with Regional Transit. o A city phone number for anyone to call who might need assistance accessing the weather respite centers (who cannot otherwise make it to City Hall). • Establish key expectations/rights for patrons of all city respite centers, including:
o The right to get a ride back to your encampment location if you decide to leave the respite center (or when it is closed after the weather event concludes). o The right to securely store any belongings you have while you are at respite centers.
o The right to stay with your pets and important community members who may be in respite with you.
o The right to food, clean water, and restrooms.
• Expand 24/7 respite centers to be citywide, with at least 2 additional centers (one in the central city and one in the south) with a minimum 100 person capacity.
Rationale for Recommendation {Identify the issue(s) that this proposal will address):
At the May 30, 2023 City Council meeting, city staff reported on the status of weather-based respite in Sacramento. Councilmember Valenzuela had asked for that update after the significant storms in January 2023 failed to trigger the existing weather criteria, causing city and county staff to scramble to find options that too few unhoused residents utilized - in part due Councilmember Proposal Request Submission
Form Rev. 03/15/2023
to the late notification, but in larger part due to the inconsistent resources offered during weather events - leading to the tragic death of unhoused people on the streets during those storms. During the Council discussion, staff also reported that Sacramento's only 24/7 respite center, the old Science Center (now called the Outreach and Engagement Center), had served hundreds of unhoused residents and achieved a 46% positive exit rate.
This discussion made a compelling case for the City of Sacramento to consider reforms to the respite system, including: expanding the weather criteria to capture extreme weather events, standardizing the process for notifying unhoused people of weather respite opportunities, standardizing client rights while at respite centers, and expanding 24/7 respite centers citywide.
Applicable Council Priority Goal: Addressing homelessness Recommended Priority Level:
IZI 0-30 days
□ 30-60 days
D Greater than 60 days
City Council Committee Review Recommended:
□ Budget and Audit Committee (B&A)
D Law and Legislation Committee (L&L)
D Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE)
□ Racial Equity Committee (RE)
D City Board, Commission, or Committee Review Recommended (list advisory body(ies)):
Do any of the following Council Policy Considerations apply? If so, give a brief explanation:
IZI DEi: People of color and people who identify as LGBTQ+ are disproportionately experiencing homelessness.
IZI Climate Action: People on the street are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly extreme weather events. Having meaningful mitigation measures in place for respite is a meaningful and well-documented climate adaptation strategy.
Financial Considerations: The City of Sacramento already spends approximately 3% of our total budget on homelessness, including outreach workers, trash pickup, and 311 call response. This is in addition to the emergency response resources when someone is injured, in need of evacuation, or killed during extreme weather events. Meaningful and expanded respite options would alleviate those downstream costs, saving the city resources while enabling better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
Council member Proposal Request Submission
Form Rev.03/15/2023
Mayor's Review:
Date Reviewed:
Committee Review Required:
□ Budget and Audit Committee (B&A)
□ Law and Legislation Committee (L&L)
D Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE)
□ Racial Equity Committee
D City Board, Commission, or Committee Review (list advisory body(ies)):
Committee Review Exception Applies:
□ Urgent matter that requires quick council action.
D A matter related to a pending council matter.
D A matter that on its face falls fully outside the jurisdiction of the City. □ A matter within the City Manager's executive function that does not need council authorization.
Department(s) Collaboration Needed:
Mayor's Additional Direction:
Mayor's Signature: _________________ Date: __________ _ Councilmember Proposal Request Submission
Form Rev. 03/15/2023
City Council Standing Committee Scheduling:
Transmitted for addition to the following agenda{s) for committee review to initiate staff work on the proposal:
Standing Committee Tentative Agenda Date
Budget and Audit Committee {B&A)
Law and Legislation Committee (L&L)
Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE)
Racial Equity Committee (RE)
Proposal will also be made part of the Councilmember Proposal Tracking Log.
City Clerk's Additional Comments:
City Clerk's Signature: ________________ Date: __________ _ Councilmember Proposal Request Submission
Form Rev.03/15/2023
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
August 1, 2023
Amending weather criteria for activation of respite centers to include National Weather extreme weather events.
BACKGROUND
A. On March 9, 2021, the City Council 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. (Resolution No. 2021-0058).
B. On March 1, 2022, Council passed a motion to open the Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC) at 3615 Auburn Boulevard as a respite center with weather criteria that applied to the OEC and other respite centers in the City. N otwithstanding Resolution No. 2021-0058, this criteria included the following opening thresholds:
Cold Weather:
1. Nighttime lows of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span; or
2. Rain for two or more consecutive days (forecast 60% or more); or
3. One day or night of rain combined with nighttime lows of 32 degrees or lower.
Hot Weather:
1. Publication of a National Weather Service (NWS) Heat Advisory. An NWS Heat Advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.
C. On June 27, 2023, Council held a workshop which discussed the current weather criteria for the activation of a respite center . Council Members Valenzuela (District 4) and Maple (District 5) proposed amending the current w eather criteria to include National Weather Service extreme events.
D. Amending the current weather criteria thresholds is in alignment with the Partnership Agreement between the City of Sacramento and County of Sacramento.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. There continues to be an 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. However, severe weather
events heighten the threats to the health and safety of the unhoused and increases the urgency for additional shelter space.
Section 2. The weather criteria to activate a respite center shall now be as follows:
Wind/Severe Weather Threshold:
1. NWS issuance of a High -Wind Watch, Warning, Wind Advisory, or Severe Thunderstorm Watch/Warning.
Cold Weather Threshold:
1. A 50% or higher probability of nighttime lows of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span.
2. Rain for two or more consecutive days (forecast 60% or more) during Meteorological Fall and Winter (September 1 – March 1)
3. One day or night of rain combined w ith nighttime lows with a 50% or higher probability of 32 degrees or lower.
4. A wind chill factor of 37 degrees or lower for two or more days within a five-day span; or
5. A Wind Advisory announced by the National Weather Service, Sacramento during Meteorological Fall and Winter (September 1 – March 1).
Hot Weather Threshold:
1. NWS issuance of an Excessive Heat Watch, Warning, or Heat Advisory.
Air Quality Index (AQI) Threshold:
1. AQI of 151 or higher. Categorized as “Unhealthy”, some members of the general public may experience healthier effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to implement weather respite activation criteria based upon the National Weather Service extreme weat her events, including but not limited to wind, flood, or rain events with the corresponding thresholds as listed above.