03-27-12 Supplemental Information i
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MEMORANDUM
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TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER ,`,�
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION —AGENDA ITEM 11.a.
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT — PILOT SAFE OVERNIGHT PARKING
PROGRAM
DATE: MARCH 26, 2012
Attached is correspondence received today regarding Temporary Use Permit 12-002 to
establish a Pilot Safe Overnight Parking Program at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
located at 301 Trinity Avenue.
c: Community Development Director �
Associate Planner
City Attorney
City Clerk
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City of Arroyo Grande Council �. �.=,
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City Hall � �-;>;.
300 E. Branch St. � .��.'�
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 � <;;�
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March 26, 2012 , �;
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Dear Mayor Ferrara and Council Members, � �
As a pastor of a church within city limits and as a long time city resident, I support the
adoption of the Temporary Use Permit so as to establish a pilot "Safe Overnight Parking
Program" at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. These are my reasons:
1. The need for dry and safe shelter is a human need, and it has not yet been met my
the 5-Cities communities, despite the efforts of the homeless coalition; therefore, this
small pilot program is a modest and earnest first step of a caring community.
2. The rules and procedures are very well thought out and it has the approval and
cooperation of the Arroyo Grande Police Department.
3. Denial of this pilot project would be opposed to the spirit of the community that
established our new Diversity Coalition of South County; diversity of incomes and
employment status and health-disability status is to be dignified with collective care
and encouragement. This pilot project provides just that statement.
4. The age-old question, `Who Is My Neighbor?"was answered with practical,
humanitarian, and spiritual clarity - the one who helps the person in need is the �
neighbor. America's `Good Samaritan Law' is predicated upon this truth. The good
people of St. Barnabas want to be the good neighbor on OUR behalf. Let's help them
do it.
I thank you for all the burdens of governing you assume every day. May you be guided
with insight and fairness as you govern on behalf of the common good.
Sincerely,
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Rev. Randy Ouimette, Senior Pastor ,
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959 Va(ley Road Arroyo Grande,California 934'LO (805) 489-1259 �
R�ndy Ouimette,Pastor Patrick Darnell,Youth&Family Pastor
Fa�x (805) 489-87I9 Emai1 saint'ot hnsa�,cr,hotmail.com Web Site saintjohnsa�.com
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Dear Mayor Ferrara:
I read Cynthia Lambert's article in The Tribune this morning reporting the pilot program
proposed by Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church wherein three vehicles housing homeless
individuals may park overnight in their parking lot.
Three years ago I was homeless for a 7-month period. At the very least . . . Having
had a safe place to park at the time could only have served to (1) shorten the time
period during which I was homeless; (2) eliminate the counter-productive fines I paid for
illegal lodging; and (3) eliminate the distraction suffered by the police department from
more important duties than my homeless situation.
I urge you to allow this program and I would encourage you to reach out to other
churches and organizations that would be willing to assist the City with its efforts to end
homelessness.
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Thank you.
Susan Brunner
San Luis Obispo, California �
suzbrunner@qmail.com �
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Mayor Ferrera and city council, '
I write to you in concern about the parking in church lots by the homeless. �
Who is going to control the possible drug and alcohol use, and the problems �
that come with that? The police will do back round checks, but can they �
check to see if the person is a high functioning alcoholic, or a recreational �
drug user who has not been arrested YET?
What if others want to come and stay with the family in the vehicles? Or the
flow of people coming and going to visit those people now that nice weather
is just around the corner.
I lived near Santa Cruz and saw what it did to that city when they started to
do things to try to help the homeless. They are now overwhelmed by the
numbers who come there to live (?) And in Colorado the citizens would
bring out food to feed the homeless, and it got to be more than could be
consumed, so food was just left out to rot.
I think it is a shame for people to have to live in their vehicles, but I would
not want them in my neighborhood. How about the council all let one
person park in their driveway, or out front of their house for 6 months as a
trial. Then and only then decide to do it to other residents who live in this
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town. God knows the arrogant Mayor would not have them in his i
neighborhood. i
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I also would not want to look out my windows at a church parking lot and
see porta pottys sitting there for 6 months. I think maybe the church should
allow them to sleep inside at night if they want to help them. How well can j
a child sleep in a cold car curled up on a sit? I
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And who gets those spots, people with jobs, or just those with children? �
And how many cars are we talking about in the long run, IF this works out? ,� '
What does it do for the person who might want to sell and home by that � � ;
church, I think it devalues the home. � �
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I think we need a lot more thought put into this before I would be �' '��� i
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comfortable with this idea, so right now I say no. � <:;�
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A citizen of Arroyo Grande � �
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E.ry��i `I edl 1R41��i1'J4f ;.9 �.E�17SIek3G
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Path to a Home i
10 Year Plan to '
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End Hometessness i
We envision a future March 22, 2012 %
in which the housing j
and comprehensive qnthony Ferrara �
services necessary to Arroyo Grande City Council i
remain housed are 300 East Branch Street
available for all, I
affordiny everyone Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
maxinium self-
su�ciency,and the
opportunity to be RE: Pilot Safe Parking Program in the City of Arroyo Grande
productive and
participating pear Mayor Ferrara and Members of the City Council of Arroyo Grande:
members of our
community.
On behalf of the Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC) of San Luis
Obispo County, I would like to express our appreciation that you are giving
significant attention to the establishment of a pilot Safe Parking Program for
Homeless Persons at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Arroyo Grande.
The need to initiate such programs has been a consideration of HSOC for
some time, and worthy enough that we passed a resolution in support of
such efforts.
We wish to congratulate your City for taking a leading role in considering this
type of scattered site Safe Parking for homeless persons, with the hope that �
your pilot program will be successful, and will serve as a model for other I
locations across San Luis Obispo County. I
We have attached a copy of that Resolution, and hope that you will �
incorporate its recommendation in making your decision. I
mcer ly, � �
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JAMES R. PATTERSON j
Homeless Services Oversight Council, Chair I,
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� y HOMEL�SS 5�12�ICES OVEI2SIG�-I'T COtJ�CIL
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RESOLCTTION �
Pnth to a Ho�ne S1�FE PA�bI{��G PitOG I�/I FOI��-IOMELESS '
10 Year Plan ko I
End Home%ssness j
We envision a future WI-�E12EAS the incidence of homeless residents has increased in recent i
in which the housing years due to the recessionary times. �
and comprehensive (
services necessary to ������S a number of homeless residents sleep in their vehicles
remain housed are
available for all, overnight,as their only form of shelter;
affording everyone
maXtmw,�serf i�IHEREAS residents sleeping in vehicles create: 1) a perceived threat to
sufficiency,a�2d the public safety; 2) a concern for one's personal safety when forced to use a
opportunity to be
product�ve and vehicle as night shelter; and 3) a drain on law enforcement resources;
participating
membersofour WII�RE!-!S a number of jurisdictions have established Safe Parking
�omrnuxitry, Programs that provide a safe, designated location where homeless residents
can park undisturbed for the night;
W�-i�12El�S a Safe Parking Program can facilitate outreach to homeless
and can assist their transition to services and housing;
�II-�EREAS the Homeless Services Oversight Council of San Luis Obispo
County convened a discussion group who researched best practices of Safe
Parking Programs and prepared informationa] materials for local use;
T�IEREFOii�the Homeless Services Oversight Council endorses Safe i
Parking as a necessary and valuable interim housing oppor�unity, benefitting
both the community and homeless residents. i
FIIRTH�R,the Homeless Services Oversight Council urges local
jurisdictions to seriously consider the establishment of Safe Parking projects j
and to malce their best efforts to support such interim approaches, using the i
identified best practices.
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March �( . 2011 _ ��
Supervisor Adam Hill !
Chair, Homeless Services Oversight Council �
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Homeless Services Oversi,�ht Council//P.O.Box 12101//San Luis Obispo,CA
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Kelly Wetmore �
From: Steve Adams '
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 11:00 AM I
To: 'Tony Ferrara'; 'Joe Costello; 'Brown, Tim@DIR'; 'Caren Ray; 'Jim Guthrie'
Cc. Kelly Wetmore; Teresa McClish ,
Subject: Overnight Parking Agenda Item Phone Message
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I received a phone message from Mr. Fred Fink,who specifically requested I pass on to City Council his support for the
overnight parking proposal. He was a member of the Grand Jury, who issued a report critical of the lack of services for
the homeless in South County.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: STEVEN ADAMs, CITY MANAGER&
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - AGENDA ITEM ll.a.
TEMPORARY USE PERMIT - PILOT SAFE OVERNIGHT PARKING
PROGRAM
DATE: MARCH 27,2012
Attached is correspondence received today regarding Temporary Use Permit 12-002 to
establish a Pilot Safe Overnight Parking Program at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
location at 301 Trinity Avenue.
c: Community Development Director
Associate Planner
City Attorney
City Clerk
Petition Opposing Homeless Parking at St. Barnabas
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In neighborhood surrounding
St. Barnabas? (yes or no) Signature
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$7 Support (yes or no) &
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Petition Opposing Homeless Parking at St. Barnabas
Petition Opposing Homeless Parking at St. Barnabas
oppose pafIC1;7~
would oppose ,Pa b&r /0OChd,7 if fimd
Karen Walsh .
RECEIVED
267 Atlantic City Avenue
Grover Beach, CA 93433-1205 MAR 27 2012
(805) 748-871 8 ARROYOGKANDE CITY CLERK
Tuesday, March 27~, 2012
Arroyo Grande City Council
300 East Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420-2706 U .S .A.
RE: Allowing for Overnight Parking at Saint Barnabas ~~isco~al Church (SUPPORT)
Honorable Mayor Tony Ferrara and Arroyo Grande City Council Members:
I am writing this letter in support of allowing overnight parking for our local homeless at Saint
Bamabas Episcopal Church through approval of the Temporary Use permit No. 12-002 to establish
a pilot program that's addressed on 'Agenda Item 11 .a. on your regular meeting agenda this
evening. The proposal you have provides the necessary elements for this.
I have lived in the South County for over 20 years and I'm a member of Saint Bamabas Episcopal
Church. I'm not normally someone who publicly expresses my opinion on matters such as this, but
after an incident this past weekend I felt compelled to address this matter that speaks to my.heart
and I hope to yours too.
I have a 3d and 4~ grader that attends Grover Heights Elementary School and they have friends
who are currently homeless. My daughter was attending a friend's birthday party with 11 other
grade school girls this past weekend. One of the girls is currently homeless and my understanding
is that she and her family are living in their vehicle. During the birthday party, one of the 4~ grade
girls stood up in the middle of the group and announced that this child was homeless and lives in
her car. This wasn't common knowledge to the other children prior to this child making this
statement. Of course the little girl that is homeless was embarrassed and humiliated. Fortunately,
the other children in the group were supportive to the girl and showed her nothing but love.
Nevertheless, this situation could have potentially been avoided if the child and her family had
someplace to call home.
I believe that the parking lot at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church is ideal for allowing families like my
daughter's friend to retain some anonymity while they continue to attempt to gain more permanent
housing. Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church could allow these families a place to feel that they
belonged and some sense of stability through what may be one of the most trying times of their
lives.
I fully support my church being proactive in taking'leadership on this issue that affects our friends in
our community and I'm asking for your support in this leadership as a partner in facilitating making
this happen with the authority that you have to take action tonight.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (805) 748-871 8.
'Thank you for your consideration.
KAREN WALSH
Arroyo Grande City Council
RE.CEIY:EB
CITY OF ARROYO GRANbE
12llAR27 PP112: I0
I am writing in support of the pilot safe parking program as a St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. There is a
clear need for safe and legal places for those who have no other alternative to sleep in their vehicles
while seeking permanent housing. This proposed program includes effective screening and oversight
designed to protect the safety of the community. I feel it is our duty as a community to come together
and help the homeless citizens which are mostly women and children. Being homeless could happen to
anyone of us; all it takes is a catastrophic event to drastically change a family's life. Even you could end
up in just your car with your three children, no money, living day to day with no hope.
'the city of Arroyo Grande has the ordinance of no overnight parking anywhere. This means the
homeless will be ticked, then perhaps have their car impounded, forcing them into the street with no
--shelter--at allrThe Pilot Safe;parking programis ttieEiEst-h'uma3e a-nii'dece'ntnt'thingw<could do for the . .
homeless community. This will provide a safe environment, if not for just one night, and will not have a
I negative impact on the Village of Arroyo Grande.
I have been a business owner of Arroyo Grande since 1997.1 grew up here, In Arroyo Grande
and went to'~ranch Elementary, Paulding Middle School, and Arroyo Grande High ~chkol.
Salon 132
132 East Branch St
Arroyo Grande, CA
March 27,20 12
RECEIVEQ
CITY OF ARROYO GRAHBE
Arroyo Grande City Council
Mayor Tony Ferrara
Mayor Pro Tem Tim Brown
Councilman Joe Costello
Councilman Jim Guthrie
Councilwoman Caren Ray
Agenda Item- Pilot Safe Overnight Parking
My name is Margery Gallegos and I live at 25 1Trinity Ave (the house closest to the church). My
family and I have lived at this location for 9 years. Our major concern with this project is the
inadequate supervision of the project which jeopardizes the safety of our family, neighbors, and
neighborhood. This residential area is very dark, isolated and inappropriate for an overnight
parking.
As previously mentioned, the church is located in a very isolated area surrounded by acres of land.
We are extremely concerned about the overnight parking as my home has been broken into as well
as two of our vehicles. Additionally, there have been problems with graffiti, drinking, and car
racing in the parking lot.
I have two daughters that are full time students, one is attending Bradman University (in the
evenings) and the other is attending Allan Hancock (in the evening). Also, they both work full time
jobs and often have to work late hours. Having the overnight parking next door concerns all of us.
The following are a few of our concerns:
Screening
The pamphlet provided to the neighborhood specifically stated background checks; however, during
the neighborhood meeting it was made very clear by the chief of police that it was not an actual
background check, but more of a process of verifying someone's identity.
Lightin
The ch:ch has stated that the lighting issue has been fixed. I eorn~letelv disagree with the letter
submitted by St Barnabas Church stating the lighting issue has been addressed (letter dated March
20,2012). Yes, the sensors in the parking area have been extended to be on when it gets dark, but
this does not resolve the issue. The areas around my house and neighborhood are extremely dark
and the visibility around the neighborhood minimal. There are no rules regarding participants
leaving the parking lot area, so anyone who steps away from the parking lot will not be seen. I
believe this is a safety issue from my family and do not believe the lighting issue has been resolved.
Also, what about liability issues, who is liable if someone is injured on my property?
Page 2
Supervision of the Program
The church has indicated they would have a volunteer drive by once each night at 9:00, who is going
to supervise fiom 9 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.? Who is going to ensure that cars do not come and go
throughout the night? Who is going to ensure that participants leave the parking area by 7:00 a.m.?
The solution provided by the church to temporarily have a church volunteer sleep in their car for a
month is completely unacceptable. What about the remaining 11 months of the year? The residents
in the neighborhood will be left to monitor and supervise. The program supervision proposed by the
church is insufficient and unacceptable without additional nightly police patrol between the hours of
7pmto7am.
I would also like to add that in researching Santa Barbara's project, I believe its success is due to the
fact that the majority of the parking is in business locations. The business owners support this
project as it's a win-win situation. The participant has a place to parklsleep and the business owner
has someone to oversee the business at night. I would also like to add that the majority of these
parking areas are well lighted with a great deal of ongoing traffic (not isolated areas).
Our number one concern is the safety of our family and the families in the neighborhood. For all of
the reasons stated above we strongly disagree and do not support the overnight parking project.
I commend the churches efforts in trying to assist the homeless in our county, but strongly believe
that opening the church doors to 3 families (no more than 5) is a healthier alternative. Allowing
them to sleep in the church would provide a safe, warm, and more comfortable option.
Thank you for your consideration
Margery Gallegos
RECEIVED
CITY OF ARROYO GRAKBE