HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/16/2016 11 Homeless Camp Location Options and Update 10 I
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 11.
For Meeting of: August 16, 2016
ITEM TITLE: Homeless Camp Location Options and Update
SUBMITTED BY: Cliff Moore, City Manager
Joan Davenport, Director of Community Development
Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the July 28, 2016 City Council Public Safety Committee meeting, staff was directed to bring
information to the full Council responsive to the potential relocation of the homeless camp at the
current location. This item was carried forward from the August 2, 2016 Council meeting.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Review staff report and provide staff direction
BOARD /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
Public Safety Committee reviewed an early version of this report. After considerable discussion,
and no consensus on specific future location or actions, this item was referred back to the full City
Council with the request for more information on alternative sites.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
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MEMORAND UM
TO: Honorable Mayor Gutierrez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Cliff Moore, City Manager
Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Dominic Rizzi, Police Chief
Joan Davenport, Director of Community Development
DATE: August 16, 2016
SUBJECT: Requested Information Regarding Relocation of Current Homeless Camp
Background for this report
At the July 28, 2016 Yakima City Council Public Safety Committee meeting, staff was directed
to bring information to the full City Council on August 2, 2016 responsive to potential
relocation of the current homeless camp. This item was continued to the August 16, 2016
meeting.
1. Current Camp at South 3 Street & East Chestnut St: The current camp location was
selected by City Council on July 5, 2016. Most of the camp was moved from the street
right of way along East Chestnut Street and South 6 Street on Monday, July 11, 2016.
a. Site accommodations for the current camp at South 3rd Street and East Walnut
include fencing, awnings, portable toilets, hand washing stations, site security,
sharps containers and drinking water. To date, the costs listed above for the camp
are approximately $6,700, which was funded from the $20,000 loan from Yakima
Health District and reimbursed by the Homeless program at Yakima Valley
Conference of Governments. Additional costs have been incurred by City Streets
Division ($4257) and the Refuse Division ($482). At this time, we have not charged
these City expenses against the $20,000 fund created by the health District and
the YVCOG program. Actual total costs to date is about $11,500.
b. Continuing the camp location in the current location is constrained because it has
created operational challenges to the police department for services delivered in
the adjoining structure. If the City Council chooses to maintain the temporary
encampment at this location until the Cold Weather Shelters open (on or about
November 15 the Yakima Police Department will likely consider alternate
operational changes for the adjoining building. These costs have not been
estimated.
c. The City Council authorized the temporary use of this parking lot for a homeless
camp "until Neighborhood Health provides transitional housing ", or about August
15 2016.It now appears that the placement process from Neighborhood Health
may last until late August because some of the housing units require repair.
d. There was a clean -up required related to the East Chestnut camp site. The City
Street Division removed approximately 6 inches of dirt and graded gravel on the
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site. The adjoining property owner, Neighborhood Health, had 3 trees that were
damaged and dying removed.
2. Master Lease Program: Neighborhood Health will be providing housing for
approximately 35 to 44 people in 30 housing units. The housing is planned for a 12-
month period. Additionally, Neighborhood Health will provide case management and
supportive services for the individuals participating in the master lease program.
Placement of individuals into the program is now on -going and is expected to be
complete by mid- August. All of the people camping at the homeless camp may not
qualify for housing. As a result, there may be people that do not get housed with this
program and may desire to continue camping in the city. Neighborhood Health has
provided services to the existing camp, including on -site delivery of water (provided by
the City), service in -take and some limited case management. Their staff have
interviewed each resident of the camp, assigned spaces for camping and kept day -time
order at the site. At night, the City has contracted security services with a private firm.
Although it is not known what the future two months will bring, it is anticipated that
Neighborhood Health will continue to provide basic services to any future camp.
3. Lease a Building to Accommodate the Camp: The Public Safety Committee asked
staff to investigate the potential of leasing a building that could accommodate the
homeless camp. Specifically, the building known as "Super Bingo" (South 3 Avenue
and Mead Avenue) was suggested. A commercial realtor was contacted to determine
the feasibility of this solution. We were informed that a commitment on the "Super
Bingo" building was already in development. In addition, the cost to lease the building
was approximately $8 to $10 per leasable square foot. No source of funding is currently
budgeted or available to the City of Yakima for this purpose at this time. Most large
commercial structures are leased at about the same rate. Industrial property is
considerably less expensive to lease, but often lack air conditioning and may not have
fire suppression sprinkler systems. A structure instead of an outdoor camp does offer
some advantages such as the ability to control access, climate and comfort. Should an
indoor facility be secured, the City would need to contract supervision services with one
of the homeless providers or faith based organizations.
4. Alternate locations: City -owned alternate locations were suggested to accommodate
a relocation of the existing homeless camp, both of which were previously identified.
Each site has some positive aspects along with other attributes that make it less
desirable. In both of these cases, the concept is a temporary homeless camp that is
authorized for camping until the time the winter warming shelters are open. A relocation
of the camp would require moving the equipment that has been installed at the current
site, including temporary fencing, shade structures, portable restrooms, hand - washing
stations, trash and related improvements.
a. Fair Avenue & 1 -82 : This site is about one acre in size and consists of 5 tax
parcels. The site is adjacent to modest single family homes and the 1 -82 on -ramp.
The site is zoned General Commercial. In order to make the site safe for campers,
it would require fencing around the perimeter to discourage pedestrian traffic on I-
82 and the ramps, as well as control where pedestrians may cross Fair Avenue.
There is no adjacent sidewalk. Traffic moves fast along the Fair Avenue corridor
Page 2 of 7
and to the freeway ramps. The site is on a transit line and has a few trees to offer
some shade. The site can be accessed from East Chestnut Avenue.
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Pros:
• Some shade trees
• Access to transit
• Site is accessible to individuals and services
Cons:
• Close proximity to 1 -82 and Fair Avenue: noise traffic and safety issues
• Fast moving vehicles with no sidewalk along frontage, problematic for
pedestrians
• Site is adjacent to Fair Avenue, with the Central Washington State Fair
scheduled in September
• No crosswalk on Fair Avenue
• Adjacent to neighborhood
• Site is mainly dirt and gravel — may be dusty in wind conditions and muddy
during rain — site prep is estimated to be expensive
Page 3 of 7
• The rocky area appears to be a spoils area from when the freeway was
built. It is unsuitable for much of anything without a lot of cleanup. The area
nearest the Fair /freeway ramp corner is the low spot and is a big mud
puddle when it rains. Fill and re- grading would be needed to push the water
somewhere else.
• Traffic Engineer would have preferred to locate the ped- crossing at
Chestnut but the sight distance is marginal.
• Estimated cost to make the site useable is in the $25,000 to $35,000 range
mostly for jersey barrier and fencing and does not include utilities.
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b. Wastewater Plant field: The City owns multiple parcels near the Wastewater plant
that are idle. Very few services exist in the vicinity and the site is remote from
hospitality industry. Yakima Transit does not provide services to the site. There is
no electricity or street lighting available at the site. The site would need to be
mowed to remove the large weeds growing on the property. There are trees near
the Yakima River and the site adjoins the Yakima Greenway east of the property.
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Pros:
• Remote area, but does not interfere with existing commercial or hospitality
industry
• Not near a neighborhood
• Shade trees within walking distance
• Site accessible by public streets
Cons
• Proximity to Greenway Trail and users which include families with children
• Proximity to Wastewater Plant (WWTP) which is subject to trespass issues and
security concerns. Any failure of the WWTP can easily create a widespread
public health emergency
• Wastewater plant operates highly technical, sensitive and expensive equipment
which could be subjected to vandalism
• Riparian environment of Yakima River adjacent to the WWTP which is part of
the City of Yakima NPDES permit compliance
• Grass field is very dry and may be subject to fire hazard
• Very poor street lighting and may create camper safety issues after dark
• No Transit service
• Not near support services
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c. Bravo Company Blvd, `. x t ; ° ..
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concern was A, T `. i: *,1-.."‘ °'�'"� W t 1 '• . t ` � ,:71111.:-..
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expressed by the , �, f ; ... 1)' J '( } N
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Commerce and local
businesses related to impacts on the tourism industry.
Pros:
• Not directly on Arterial Street
• Dead end street with some grass in field
Cons:
• Less than 500 feet from hotels and restaurants
• Adjacent to a neighborhood
d. Existing Location of 3` St & Walnut St : The camp was established here as a
result of previous Council direction. While it has minimal improvements, it is not an
ideal site. Neighborhood Health has provided daily camp supervision and intake for
future housing for some residents.
Page 5 of 7
Pros:
• Currently established with fencing, pavement, adjacent street lighting
• Highly visible and easy to monitor
• Accessible to services
• On Transit Route
Cons:
• Pavement is hot
• Increase in homelessness in the CBD has had a visible effect on the area
• Camp has had a negative impact on the operation of the adjoining building
for police and security purposes. YPD would likely need to explore
alternative location or solutions for short term, until winter shelter opens
• Proximity to the CBD, with Hot Shots and Fresh Hop Events scheduled this
fall.
• The area has been a used for area children walking to Davis High School,
Madison House, and the Transit Center
In all scenarios, the City would need to continue providing portable toilets, a hand washing
station, sharps container, garbage collection service, an awning for shade, security patrols and
drinking water. City staff estimates that the costs will exceed the $20,000 loan from the
Yakima Health District to operate the temporary encampment through November 15
5. Coordination with Yakima Valley Conference of Governments Homeless
Programs. During the Public Safety Committee, staff was urged to coordinate the
homeless camp with the ongoing programs at the YVCOG. As explained at that
meeting, the Master Lease Program through Neighborhood Health is a direct result of
coordination between the needs of the homeless population in Yakima and the YVCOG
Homeless programs. The City has participated in all aspects of recent projects to serve
and coordinate the needs of individuals in Yakima with YVCOG. At the current time, the
YVCOG program is in the process of drafting the 5 -year project and funding plan for
Homeless issues in the Yakima Valley. Until this Plan is complete, access to any funds
to address programs and needs of the homeless is restricted. The Plan is targeted to be
complete in the next 60 days. YVCOG has, however, already agreed to provide
reimbursement for the $20,000.00 loan from the Yakima Health District to the City.
6. Actions needed by Yakima City Council:
a. Provide direction regarding the preferred location to accommodate the homeless
camp after the "Master Lease" program is in effect. Without a sanctioned place for
homeless persons to sleep, the City will have difficulty enforcing the newly adopted
camping ordinance and other related matters. The potential temporary camp
locations include
i. retain existing camp location
ii. Fair Ave & 1 -82
iii. Wastewater Plant site
iv. Bravo Company Blvd
None of the locations listed below are ideal for a temporary homeless camp, for the
reasons summarized in this report. However, with all factors considered, the best
Page 6 of 7
short term solution may be to leave the camp in the current location until the winter
shelters open.
b. Begin immediately to work with YVCOG, Neighborhood Health and the local faith -
based community on the Cold Weather Shelter Program so they will be operational
by mid - November. This planning and coordination is needed soon. In addition,
there is no official daytime warming shelter during this program, which may be
explored if there is interest from a location to host such a shelter. A daytime
warming shelter would help to address complaints of loitering and nuisances
related to homeless issues in the downtown and adjacent neighborhoods
previously received by the City.
c. Continue to support and collaborate with the YVCOG Homeless programs which
focus on a "Housing First Approach" as well as the private non - profit "Justice
Housing Project ".
Page 7 of 7
City of Yakima Distributed at the
MeetingX
Contract#2016-111 - Temporary Homeless Camp Sanitation Facilities DAC #: 515 -669 -4100
Transaction Date Merchant Name Item Description Amount Staff /Purchaser
6/15/2016 ULINE Sharps Containers for Homeless Encampment per Contract #2016-111 $110 59 R Ibarra
7/7/2016 Yakima Bindery Homeless Camp - stencil - Contract#2016 -111 $6 92 J Davenport
7/12/2016 Sears Tent & Awning Two 20'x20' canopy - one month rental (services began 7/11/16 - 8/10/16) $600 00 .I Caruso/ R.Ibarra
7/13/2016 Costco One pallet Water - 48 cases @2 99each (Rosalinda purchased) $143 52 R. Ibarra
7/19/2016 L&S Fencing 270 of rental fence for 3 months (services began 7/8/2016- 10/07/2016) $584 28 J Caruso/ Ribarra
7/25/2016 Costco One pallet Water - 48 cases @2 99each (Dan Bigby purchased) $143 52 D Bigby
7/22/2016 Budget Septic & Drain Portable toilets - 4 week rental (Services began 6/14/16 through 07/12/2016) $630 81 S Hawkins/R.Ibarrt
7/28/2016 Granite Material Cost for 6th Street/Chestnut Ave homeless camp clean up (new top soil) $1,355 85 J Rosenlund
Not Invoiced Yet Budget Septic & Drain Portable toilets - 4 week rental (7/13/16 through approx 08/10/16) Note as of 7/14 $97000 S Hawkins/R Ibarra
increased to twice per week servicing
Not Invoiced Yet Phoenix Security Monthly flat rate (7/15/2016 - 8/15/2016) $3,510 00 J Caruso/ R Ibarra
Not Invoiced Yet Sears Tent & Awning Two 20'x20' canopy - pro-rated month rental (8/11/16 - 8/31/16) $300 00 J Caruso/ R Ibarra
Phoenix Security daily rate beginning on 8/16/2016 thru <as needed>
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Expenses by Other Divisions (IPR Reimbursement ?)
Anderson Rock Landfill Disposal material fees from 6th St/Chestnut Ave camp $560 00 Streets Division
Streets Division 6th Street & Chestnut Cleanup (Equipment, Materials, and Labor) $4,247 50 Streets Division
Refuse Division ( 0,1 tier dumpsters/refuse service for 6th St Homeless Encampment (for June/July) $481 07 Refuse Division
Updated as of 8/11/2016 TOTAL (including other division expenses): $13,644.06
\ \apollo1 shared 1Community Development \Homeless Encampment - Health District \Expense Log Contract 2016 -111 _Health District 20K Loan Page 1 of 1
Meetin City of Yakima 200 S 3r Street
Police Department Yakima, Washington 98901 ,f f��
Dominic Rizzi Jr, Chief of Police Telephone (509) 575 -6200 Fax (509) 575 -6007
Pobce
Memorandum
August 1, 2016 \\
To Chain of Command
From Lieutenant Shawn Boyle #4618
Patrol Lieutenant
Subject S Fair Ave and E. Chestnut Ave
On August 1, 2016 Captain Jones contacted me and asked me to evaluate the city owned area
near E Chestnut Ave and S. Fair Ave as a location for a homeless encampment Captain Jones
advised the city property had been identified as a possible location for the homeless
encampment.
I went to the location on August 1, 2016 and evaluated the area The property is a mostly dirt and
gravel parking area on the east side of S Fair Ave. E. Chestnut Ave is to the south of the
property and to the north is the eastbound entrance to I -82 from S Fair Ave. There are residential
properties to the east of the city owned property. Fair Ave Loop approaches the property from
the west, and makes a T- intersection at S Fair Ave west of the listed property.
The location would provide a gravel and dirt surface for camping and there is some shade
provided by trees on the east side of the location There is no shade to the west of the city owned
property There is a chain link fence along the residential property and the city owned location.
The city owned property at this location would provide limited incursion on residential
properties along its boundaries, but poses several safety concerns for the persons who would be
residing in the encampment. The safety concerns primarily are related to vehicle traffic in the
area and the residents' ability to safely cross S. Fair Ave while coming and going from the
encampment.
The residents will need to cross S Fair Ave in order to move westward toward the downtown
area of the city for services. S. Fair Ave is a 30 MPH zone, but in observing traffic, there are
many vehicles traveling at least 35 MPH. There are trees and other growth on the east side of S.
Fair Ave near E Chestnut Ave that limits visibility for motonsts approaching the potential
encampment property from the south. The visibility is limited until motonsts reach the area of E
Chestnut Ave Southbound traffic on Fair Ave goes under an overpass while negotiating a curve
prior to Fair Ave Loop.
There is no marked crosswalk in the area and although it is permissible for pedestrians to cross at
intersections, this will be made highly dangerous by the limited visibility on S. Fair Ave The
danger to pedestnans will be increased dunng the hours of darkness In observing the residents
when they resided in the area of S. 6 Street and E Chestnut Ave, the residents were often in the
roadway. In addition, there is significant drug and alcohol usage amongst the residents which
will impair their ability to safely cross the roadway
There are no sidewalks on the east side of S Fair Ave making it necessary for the residents to
cross the roadway in this location if they were to choose to use the sidewalks. Traffic entering I-
82 on the onramp is often accelerating as they make their way toward the I -82 to increase to
freeway speed There are no physical barriers such as large rocks or cement barriers to prohibit a
vehicle should it leave the roadway from dnving into the encampment
In evaluating the location for the encampment, there are limited positive reasons and significant
safety related concerns. I have listed numerous safety concerns regarding the flow of pedestnans
in this area as they interact with motonsts on S Fair Ave, Fair Ave Loop, E. Chestnut Ave and
the onramp to I -82 It is my belief there is a significant risk of a senous or fatal
vehicle /pedestnan collision if the homeless encampment is established at this location In order
to make pedestrians safer in this area, there would need to be additional lighting, signage and
engineering improvements.
I have attached images to this memorandum to assist with understanding the location and
potential safety concerns.
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If you have any questions regarding this memorandum or my safety concerns, please feel free to
contact me at 509- 728 -4541 or shawn bovle@yakimawa gov
Wig
Lieutenant S B f e #4618
Approved
Captain G Jones
Chief D Rizzi