CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
AUGUST 8, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair Edone called the Regular Meeting of the City of San Clemente Human Affairs Committee to order on August 8, 2023, at 3:35 p.m. The meeting was held at San Clemente City Hall, First Floor Community Room located at 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California.
Committee
Members Present: Chair Lisa Edone, Vice Chair Rosemary Salas, and Members Stuart Anderson, Cord Bauer, Tyler Boden, Jill
Schachter, and Dick Veale
Guests: Residents: George Gregory; Donna Vidrine, and Tom Streeter
Staff Present: Janet Batchelor, Management Analyst II
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE
The Pledge was led by Donna Vidrine.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Approve minutes from the July 25, 2023 Adjourned Meeting of the Human Affairs Committee.
MOTION BY MEMBER ANDERSON, SECONDED BY MEMBER BODEN AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, to approve the minutes from the July 25, 2023 Adjourned Meeting of the Human Affairs Committee as submitted.
4. SPECIAL OR PUBLIC PRESENTATION
A. Jewish Family Services, Chris Olsen: Safe Streets presentation via Zoom.
Chris Olsen, Jewish Family Services, summarized the human services provided by Jewish Family Services, and discussed the Safe Streets, a safe parking program for people experiencing homelessness, including its purpose, requirements for participation, process, and services.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Human Affairs Committee of August 8, 2023 In response to Committee questions, Mr. Olsen explained the necessary qualifications including those of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); wrap around services; steps for San Clemente to begin a program including identifying funding source, determining location, and issuing a request for proposals for services; parking during non-operational hours; demographics of participants; assistance with obtaining valid vehicle registration and insurance; RV parking; average time services are utilized; and site locations.
In response to George Gregory, Mr. Olsen discussed the insurance policy for the corporation and size and staffing of the lots.
In response to Tom Streeter, Mr. Olsen stated more complaints from overnight sites than 24-hour sites were received.
In response to Donna Vidrine, Mr. Olsen discussed initial concerns with crime increases, loitering and attracting more homeless; 90% reduction in negative public comments to the Council after one-year pilot; and investigative report indicating no increase in calls for service in the area.
The Committee discussed the number of homeless vehicles; overnight parking at Walmart; need to determine the problem prior to coming up with a solution; RVs versus vehicles; and need for data to research the issue.
George Gregory discussed the cost of vehicle insurance and difficulty in retaining valid insurance and registration.
Chair Edone suggested considering a deeper dive under the Work Plan discussion.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND UPDATES
A. Human Affairs Committee Work Plan
The Committee discussed the FY 2022-2023 Work Plan projects. • Project #1. Community Resource Fair
Chair Edone suggested moving forward with a community resource fair, including implementation of Homeward Bound and a budget for advertising.
Member Anderson discussed the Homeless Collaborative plans for a Homelessness 101 forum.
The Committee discussed the target market; means of advertising; lack of information of resources for the homeless; expectations of homeless attending the last fair; and resources for those on the verge of becoming homeless.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Human Affairs Committee of August 8, 2023 • Project #2. Resources Directory:
Chair Edone stated the City’s website has been restructured and the Committee can move forward with the IT Department to update the resource directory on the City’s website.
Project #3. Overall Homelessness Strategy:
Member Anderson discussed the programs in Encinitas and Newport Beach, indicating the City of San Clemente was lacking the resource to offer bridge housing.
Chair Edone suggested Homeless 101, United Way and safe parking be considered in the overall homelessness strategy. She reminded the Committee that it served at the will of the City Council.
The Committee discussed the meaning of bridge housing and potential shelters in the area.
• Project #4. Mentorship Program for Young Adults & Grades 6-12 “A Day in the Life”:
Member Boden stated the Chamber of Commerce was working on a similar program, modeled after Vista and Oceanside. He discussed the need for funding for a program in San Clemente.
Chair Edone suggested the Committee work with the Chamber. • Project #5. “Every 15 Minutes” DUI Prevention Program:
Vice Chair Salas stated she would ensure the High School applied for the grant in a timely manner.
• Project #6. SCHS Humanitarian Award:
Vice Chair Salas discussed the need to work with High School to obtain more applicants.
Member Boden offered to work on the project.
The Committee discussed potential items to add to the Work Plan.
Member Bauer suggested reaching out to residents using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to build a professional, non-partisan questionnaires to seek desires of
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Human Affairs Committee of August 8, 2023 taxpayers, regarding topics such as open space, Pickleball, and sand replenishment. He suggested adding a project of participating in “Solutions for Change,” a model to solve homelessness.
Member Schachter suggested a project on e-bike safety education.
Member Stuart suggested researching options for providing housing for homeless.
Member Veale suggested upgrades to the senior center and funds for a case manager.
Member Boden suggested memorializing the process for utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The Committee discussed the origin of the funds and allocation by the City.
Member Boden suggested working on a Character Counts Program.
Chair Edone summarized the proposed FY 2023-204 Work Plan items and work groups as follows:
1. Community Resource Fair/Update Resource Registry on city website– Chaired by Chair Edone, with Members Anderson and Schachter
2. Overall Homeless Strategy, including Homelessness 101 Town Hall, Safe Parking, Housing Options Research, Solutions for Change – Chaired by Member Anderson, with Members Bauer and Boden
3. Mentorship Program – Chaired by Member Boden, with Member Bauer and Vice Chair Salas
4. Every 15 Minutes DUI Simulation – Chaired by Vice Chair Salas, with Member Anderson and Chair Edone
5. San Clemente High School Humanitarian Award – Chaired by Vice Chair Salas, with Members Boden and Schachter
6. AI Questionnaire for the Community– Chaired by Member Bauer
7. Senior Center upgrades – Chaired by Member Veale, with Member Schacter
8. CDBG process – Vice Chair Salas and Member Anderson
9. Character Counts Program– Chaired by Member Boden, with Members Schachter and Anderson
Chair Edone asked the Chair of each workgroup to submit the workplan item to City staff by September 1st. City staff will consolidate all work plan items into one document to be placed on the HAC September 12th Agenda for final approval of the Committee.
B. Updated Human Affairs Committee 2023 Meeting Calendar The updated 2023 HAC meeting calendar was provided to the Committee.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Human Affairs Committee of August 8, 2023
6. NEW BUSINESS
None.
7. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Ms. Vidrine thanked the Committee for its work and asked if September was designated as Service Club month. Member Boden explained that he had simply announced that he was working on it. Member Vidrine stated the San Clemente Homeless Collaborative would like to work with the Committee and suggested a presentation by Solutions for Change. She offered the services clubs she was engaged with for the Resource Fair.
8. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
None.
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR EDONE ADJOURNED THE MEETING AT 6:05 P.M. TO THE REGULAR HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2023, AT 3:30 P.M. AT SAN CLEMENTE CITY HALL, FIRST FLOOR COMMUNITY ROOM, LOCATED AT 910 CALLE NEGOCIO, SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Lisa Edone, Chair
Attest: ______________________________
Janet Batchelor, Management Analyst