City Council Meeting Comments - March 16, 2026
Item 4a - 350 Merrydale
I appreciate the engagement we have been able to have with staff on the Code of Conduct and Good Neighbor Policy.
1 appreciate that the Code of Conduct has moved to a 3-strike enforcement process. I would like to ask though that you delete one word: On page 8 of 9, for Major Infractions, please delete the word "serious" where it says serious criminal activity; since I think it is reasonable to think that any criminal activity is serious.
1 also appreciate that the City appears to be moving away from condoning illegal drug use at the site. I submitted a comment letter referring two news articles that San Francisco and other cities are moving away from the "harm reduction" approach, and about a sober homeless shelter that is near capacity, with a waiting list. I am asking that you and staff investigate and evaluate these further and I believe they support you looking to operate 350 Merrydale without illegal drug use.
I have the following questions:
Will the participants have any private property rights with the shelters they live in? What are the phases that are anticipated for the opening of the shelter and how will the phases be implemented?
Is there illegal drug use at the Mahon Sanctioned Camping Area and how will illegal drug use be any different at 350 Merrydale?
The murder at Anderson this weekend is shocking and frightening to my community. I remind you that you have decided to place this interim shelter in a residential neighborhood with young families, many young children, day care centers, elder assisted living facilities, and businesses and it is your responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of the community.
If anyone wants to say I am just being a NIMBY, that's fine with me because I do not have any problem saying that I do not want to see illegal drug use in my back yard.
Thank you,
Gregory Andrew
3/16/2026
350 Merrydale Road Interim Shelter
Participant Code of Conduct and Good Neighbor Policy
Major Infractions
Major infractions are behaviors that pose a safety risk or involve serious violations, including but not limited to violence or threats of violence, possession or use of weapons, serious criminal activity, destruction of property, harassment, or behavior creating an immediate safety concern.
Major infractions result in immediate action, including:
Step 1: Immediate Safety Intervention
• The Site Operator takes appropriate and timely safety measures to protect participants, staff, and the surrounding community.
• Security or law enforcement may be contacted when appropriate. • The participant may be temporarily separated or placed on temporary suspension if a cooling-off period is necessary.
• When feasible, referrals to short-term services, including medical or behavioral health support, may be provided.
Step 2: Incident Review and Determination
• The Site Operator documents the incident.
• Shelter leadership, in coordination with City staff, reviews the incident as soon as practicable.
• A determination is made regarding suspension, conditional return, or program exit.
Step 3: Program Exit (If Warranted)
• For serious safety-related incidents, a participant may be exited from the program without prior warnings.
• When appropriate and safe, Site Operator staff will provide information about alternative service connections.
Re-Entry Consideration
In limited circumstances and at the discretion of program leadership, a former participant may request future consideration for re-entry. Decisions are based on demonstrated behavior change, engagement with services, and risk assessment.
Throughout the process, the Site Operator works with participants to address concerns, support positive behavior change, and encourage continued participation in the program. Exiting participants to unsheltered homelessness is not the goal of this program. In most cases where a program exit is necessary, the Site Operator will make reasonable efforts to coordinate a warm handoff to appropriate service providers or work with City and County partners to identify alternative shelter or placement options, based on availability and individual circumstances.
Rev. 02/2026