TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jaime Boscarino, Finance Director
DATE:April 25, 2023
SUBJECT: Navigation Center Fee Waiver
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve a fee waiver for all City planning, building, and impact fees; wastewater connection fees excluded from waiver.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time to complete staff report is included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 General Fund Budget. Estimated planning, building, and impact fees are $100,000. Estimated total project costs for the Navigation Center at 1205 Lawrence Drive total $3.9 million for design and construction and $0.8 million annually for operations. The County of Ventura has approved financial support for both construction and operation. The City is a co- applicant with the County of Ventura for a State Encampment Resolution Grant. If awarded, the Grant will fund the construction of the Navigation Center and two years of operating costs. Staff will return to City Council for a formal expenditure authorization request at a later date.
BACKGROUND:
In 2022 the Ad Hoc Homeless Committee (Committee) recommended the City- owned parcel at 1205 Lawrence Drive to serve as the initial location for the City’s emergency shelter, herein referred to as Navigation Center.
On September 27, 2022, City Council authorized staff to issue a Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) for the construction and operation of a Navigation Center at 1205 Lawrence Drive; adopted Resolution No. 2022-049 declaring the Lawrence Drive property as Exempt Surplus Land pursuant to the
Navigation Center Fee Waiver
April 25, 2023
5 3
2 Surplus Lands Act; and authorized the Mayor to sign a letter to County of Ventura requesting financial assistance to support the associated capital and operating costs.
City staff issued the RFP/Q on October 7, 2022, and on December 6, 2022, City Council unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to select the Proposer, DignityMoves (DM), Hope the Mission, and Many Mansions to develop, lease, and operate a Navigation Center. Collectively they demonstrated expertise and experience in designing, constructing, and operating interim housing and the capacity to complete the project successfully and in a timely manner.
On February 28, 2023, City Council approved an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement and Right of Entry Agreement with Many Mansions, DM, and Hope the Mission for development of a Navigation Center at 1205 Lawrence Drive. City Council also authorized the City Manager to initiate preparation of a lease agreement, operation and service agreements, and other ancillary documents necessary to properly develop, construct, secure, operate, and maintain the Navigation Center.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The service-enriched Navigation Center will provide housing and services to persons experiencing homelessness selected on a referral basis from local service providers, various County agencies, and law enforcement. The Navigation Center will provide immediate interim housing for residents experiencing homelessness.
Onsite support and housing navigation services will assist each person in either preparing to return to stable traditional housing or to transition into permanent supportive housing based on their unique individual circumstances and needs.
The Navigation Center will also assist in enhancing the City’s enforcement capabilities to preserve public safety and environmental quality.
City staff have already held multiple planning meetings with the DM/Hope the Mission/Many Mansions (Applicant) team in order to ensure the project moves forward as expeditiously as possible. The Special Use Permit application is ready for submittal to the City. The Applicant team has submitted a formal request for a waiver of City planning and permitting fees (Attachment #1). Although staff initially anticipated requesting waiver of planning and permitting fees upon approval of the Definitive Agreement, so as to not delay the project, staff is requesting waiver of these fees at this time.
Environmental Review
Under CEQA Guideline Section 15378(b)(4) and (5), City Council’s action approving the fee waiver is not a “Project” as defined under CEQA. City is acting on a waiver of fees which does not commit the City to approving the project Navigation Center Fee Waiver
April 25, 2023
5 3
2 application. Such action will not have a direct or indirect effect on the environment.
A CEQA analysis will be conducted as part of the site analysis for the proposed use during the negotiations of a lease and ancillary agreements and a CEQA determination will be presented as part of future City Council action.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
J. Implement high quality revitalization projects within Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Newbury Road Areas; Develop a pedestrian-oriented, viable, and self- sustaining "Downtown;” and, continue to support production of long-term affordable housing.
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Letter requesting fee waiver from applicant FIN:430-10\jb\H:\COMMON\Council\2023\Adminstration\042523 Navigation Center Fee Waiver Staff Report.docx