Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/2018 06E Temporary Emergency Cold Weather Shelters PolicyBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT 1 Item No. 6.E. For Meeting of: November 6, 2018 ITEM TITLE: Resolution authorizing and directing the Yakima Department of Community Development to identify and implement a policy regarding temporary emergency cold weather shelters; and providing that such policy shall be valid only from November 15, 2018 through March 31, 2019 SUBMITTED BY: Joe Caruso, Code Administration Manager Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney Joan Davenport, Community Development Director SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The proposed resolution sets the minimum standards and requirements for shelters. Although no specific locations have been proposed, this resolution will allow the City to take applications for such shelters for the winter season. Requirements identified in the resolution focus on the temporary volunteer managed characteristics of these shelters. The Building/Fire Official will review the applications, insurance and site plans (which must include defined sleeping areas) and approve them before the shelter buildings can be used. These policies do not apply to the temporary homeless encampment, run by Transform Yakima Together, subject to the Lease Agreement previously entered into by the City. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: 2 ATTACHM E NT S : Description Upload Date Type Resdution E S 10/26/2018 Resdution A RESOLUTION 3 RESOLUTION NO. R -2018 - authorizing and directing the Yakima Department of Community Development to identify and implement a policy regarding temporary emergency cold weather shelters in the City of Yakima, and providing that such policy shall be valid only from November 15, 2018, through March 31, 2019. WHEREAS, the City of Yakima, in conjunction with religious organizations, non-profit service providers, and Yakima Valley Conference of Governments, is aware that there is within the City of Yakima a population of homeless persons who may require temporary emergency shelter from cold weather during the winter months; and WHEREAS, owners of various buildings, which may include churches or buildings owned or controlled by religious organizations, located within the City of Yakima have indicated that they are willing and able to provide temporary emergency shelter; and WHEREAS, the City of Yakima currently has no municipal code provisions, whether under the zoning, buildings, fire or other codes, expressly allowing, authorizing, or regulating the use of such buildings as temporary emergency shelters; and WHEREAS, RCW 35.21.915 may apply to emergency winter shelters if owned or controlled by a religious organization; and WHEREAS, the City of Yakima Department of Community Development has endeavored to create interim policy guidelines to address and regulate temporary emergency shelters and health and safety issues that may arise in their operation; and WHEREAS, at the time of this Resolution, no specific building has been identified and confirmed as a building where temporary homeless shelter facilities may be located, but it is believed that one or more will be found prior to November 15, 2018; and WHEREAS, the Yakima City Council finds and determines that it is in the public interest, and the best interest of the City and its residents, to adopt the resolution and policy guidelines set forth herein; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: The City of Yakima Department of Community Development is hereby authorized and directed to implement the policies listed herein and require all operators of temporary emergency shelters during the winter period to provide application materials as attached hereto. Policies shall include the following, and must be certified by the owner or legal occupier of each building: 1. Sleeping areas shall be located on the ground floor of the building or on other floors with approved exiting; 2. Smoke detectors shall be located in all sleeping areas and connected to a central station monitor; 3. No cooking is allowed on the premises, unless done in an approved commercial kitchen; 4. The on-site staff ratio shall be one staff member per eight overnight guests; 4 5. If there is no adequate fire suppression system, staff members must remain awake and alert throughout the night, serving as a night fire watch; 6. The owner or legal occupier of the building shall provide a floor plan showing the dimensions of the building, including exits and door swing, more than 72 hours before the first night of occupation; 7. Organizations not falling under RCW 35.21.915 shall provide proof of adequate insurance; and 8. Any other health and safety requirements determined necessary by the fire marshal or building code officials based on the proposed building(s) to be used as temporary homeless shelters under this resolution. 9. All entities wishing to operate a temporary emergency shelter shall fully fill out and submit an application, with all necessary accompanying documents, which must be approved before the shelter can open. This policy does not apply to the Transform Yakima Together Lease Agreement for the temporary homeless encampment entered into between the City and TYT. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 61h day of November, 2018. ATTEST: Kathy Coffey, Mayor Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk TEMPORARY EMERGENCY COLD WEATHER SHELTERS ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY Definition Temporary Emergency Shelter: Provides for November 15, 2018 through March 31, 2019 for housing for the homeless at the below mentioned church facility Application Process Location Address Name of Location Owner or Owner's representative shall submit and self-certify the following: ❑ Sleeping areas to be located on ground floor, or on other floors with approved exiting ❑ Smoke detectors shall be located in all sleeping areas and connected to a central station monitor ❑ No cooking is allowed on the premises ❑ On-site adult staff ratio of one member per eight overnight guests. On duty staff shall remain awake/alert ❑ Floor plan showing dimensions with exits and door swing Applicant Signature Date Shelter Contact(please print) Phone Number Permanent shelters with approved fire safety equipment and exits are not subject to the requirements of the emergency cold weather temporary administrative policy. FEMA and Red Cross shelters occupied during a declared City/County/State emergency are not subject to the requirements of the emergency cold weather temporary administrative Policy. The above temporary administrative policy is to remain in place until approved,cancelled or modified by the Yakima City Council