TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: Councilmember Davis
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 05/02/2022
Approved Date 0 5/02/2022
SUBJECT: CITY ROADMAP-ENCAMPMENT MANAGEMENT AND SAFE
RELOCATION POLICY
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept staff recommendations with the modifications made in the memos dated April 29, 2022 that were authored by Councilmember Peralez; Councilmembers Jones and Mahan; and Mayor Liccardo, Vice Mayor Jones, et al; and the following additional modifications:
a. Prioritize using a consolidated database that improves processes, including data integration, refining the intake process, and developing a comprehensive workflow system for BeautifySJ and Housing database in the 2022-2023 Proposed Operating Budget. Continue quarterly snapshots of progress made by both departments.
b. Direct the BeautifySJ Interagency Team to:
i. Advocate for landscape design solutions on Caltrans property that deter encampment hotspots and decrease pedestrian crossing on hazardous roadways.
ii. Work with Caltrans and Santa Clara County to ensure homeless outreach and alternative housing options are offered to unhoused residents on Caltrans property, prior to abatement.
2. Include the abatement of Columbus Park as part of Phase III and a. Direct staff to include unhoused individuals at Columbus Park in the housing assessment. Come back to Council in May 2022 with an update on efforts and integration
COUNCIL AGENDA: 05/03/2022 ITEM: 7.1
b. Direct Housing Resources and Outreach to set-up a resource/information booth at Columbus Park during the daytime to ensure the area is activated while Phase III continues.
c. Direct the City Manager to seek funding to include the abatement of Columbus Park as part of Phase III through the MBA process.
3. Send out a city-wide request for mechanics on all City platforms to accelerate operable or semi-operable vehicle repairs.
4. Expedite the construction timeline for Prototype Park to October 2022 to prevent re- encampment of Guadalupe Gardens.
5. Direct staff to find temporary parking for the Guadalupe Community Garden volunteers on Walnut Street or in a PRNS facility close to the Community Garden. Include the option to enforce posted parking rules along Walnut Street during volunteer hours.
DISCUSSION
Encampment Management Strategy
Encampment management takes multi-departmental and jurisdiction coordination. We should provide staff with the tools they need to aid and manage encampments. The Housing Department and BeautifySJ should have access to a consolidated database that is concise and efficient. This will ensure both departments and our city partners have complete metrics of encampment needs, areas of concern, and staff goals and achievements.
Caltrans
There are encampment hotspots throughout San Jose ramps, highways, and expressways that pose a threat to drivers and unhoused residents. These encampments are on Caltrans property and are likely to end in fatalities. The Meridian clover leaf ramps off of I-280 are an example of hazardous conditions and near pedestrian fatalities. Getting this one, unsafe site abated took months of persistent effort by both the D6 office and Assemblymember Low’s office. After less than a week, it was already re-encamped. We must have a better process for securing these sites once they have been abated.
The BeautifySJ Interagency Team can work with Caltrans on landscape design solutions that deter camp set-up and pedestrian crossing on interchanges and dangerous intersections. In partnership with the Housing Department and Santa Clara County, the BeautifySJ Interagency Team can aid Caltrans in escalated clean-ups by providing timely homeless outreach, and by seeking partnerships that expedite Caltrans property clean-ups. Where possible, utilizing BeautifySJ staff for abatement clean-ups on Caltrans property.
Guadalupe Gardens and Columbus Park
This is the last extension request the City is asking from the FAA. Therefore, it is imperative that we keep Guadalupe Gardens clear and that we comply with FAA regulations. City staff and our partners continue their efforts to provide social services, outreach, and housing solutions to this area. Their efforts have yielded success in Phase I and II, and I appreciate their hard work as they tackle Phase III.
However, the abatement of Phase I and Phase II and the current abatement efforts of Phase III prompted unhoused residents to move into Columbus Park.
Columbus Park is located between Spring Street, Asbury Street, Irene Street, and West Taylor Street. It is immediately adjacent to Guadalupe Gardens. The proximity of the park to Guadalupe Gardens is concerning because unhoused residents are using it to relieve the saturation from Phase III. There is a very real possibility that Columbus Park will become an encampment proportional to what we have seen throughout Guadalupe Gardens and potentially spill back to the forty acres regulated by the FAA. This would nullify staff efforts to comply with FAA regulations.
Columbus Park should be included in the Phase III abatement plan for Guadalupe Gardens and included in the housing assessment (Vulnerability Index - Service Prioritization Decision Assistance) from the Housing Department and HomeFirst. This will ensure the area is kept clear while Guadalupe Gardens and Prototype Park are developed and activated.
Car Abatement at Guadalupe Gardens and Guadalupe River Park (GRP) Staff has identified 30 operable and inoperable vehicles at Guadalupe Gardens and Guadalupe River Park that may need mechanical assistance to depart the area. We need more mechanics to successfully remove all vehicles from this area. We should exacerbate all of our communication outlets to find more mechanics.
Prototype Park
Guadalupe Gardens must remain clear of encampments to comply with FAA regulations. The construction of Prototype Park should be expedited wherever possible. This will ensure the area is activated as soon as abatement occurs. Keeping eyes and movement in this area will deter individuals from building encampments at Guadalupe Gardens.
Guadalupe Community Gardens
The Guadalupe Community Gardens volunteers are essential in the upkeep of the garden located on Walnut St. They pay an annual fee to tend to their plot and are required to meet a certain number of volunteer hours. Many volunteers have expressed frustration in accessing the garden due to limited and unsafe parking. We should enforce a designated parking area for Guadalupe Community Garden volunteers on Walnut Street to ensure the area stays activated and volunteers are able to access their plots. Staff should also explore using PRNS facilities as a temporary and limited parking solution.
Attachment A