HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2019-094 Temporary Emergency Cold Weather Shelters PolicyA RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. R-2019-094
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 1, 2019, through March 31,
2020
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima, in conjunction with religious organizations, non-profit
service providers, and Yakima County, 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, one specific building has been identified and
confirmed as a building where temporary homeless shelter facilities may be located at 511 N
44th Avenue, and it is possible additional emergency shelter locations may be identified prior to
March 31, 2020, 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 by approved staff;
4. The on -site staff ratio shall be one staff member per eight overnight guests,
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 Lease Agreement for the temporary homeless
encampment entered into between the City and Sunrise Outreach
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 15th day of October, 2019
ATTEST
Sonya Car Tee, City Clerk ;` ..
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ITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEM ENT
Item No. 11.
For Meeting of: October 15, 2019
Resolution authorizing a policy regarding temporary emergency
cold weather shelters in the City of Yakima and providing such
policy shall be valid only between November 1, 2019 and March
31, 2020
Joan Davenport, Director of Community Development
Glenn Denman, Supervising Code Inspector
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The City of Yakima, in conjunction with religious organizations and non-profit service
organizations, has provided for temporary cold weather emergency shelters under the authority of
RCW 35.21.915. This resolution sets the minimum standards and requirements for shelters in
the City of Yakima. At this time, the City has received a request for a shelter from Rod's House
for young adults (age 18 - 24) to be housed at Englewood Christian Church. If other requests are
submitted during this winter season, the requirements of the attached resolution will apply. The
Building and Fire Official reviews all applications, inspects the facility, including the location of
defined sleeping areas and approves the facility with safety measures prior to use of the
structure. These requirements do not apply to the temporary homeless encampment run by
Sunrise Outreach, which is subject to a Lease Agreement previously entered into by the City of
Yakima.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
NA
Public Safety
Interim City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution.
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BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
ResolutionAIN-thisg 29 19 Emergency INtrother
10/212019 Resolutioo
Wrier Shelters in the City of Yakima. 2019
D Certification ailment from Reds House, 2019 10/212019 Backup Material
D Acimin9olicy_TomeEmergencyColcneatherSholter 9/24/2019 Backup Material