HomeMy WebLinkAboutBBR Working Group 6.2.17FC-019 (eForms 0704) Page 1 of 3
DATE: June 2, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Update from Working Group to Address Homeless Encampments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report provides an update from the Working Group to Address Homeless Encampments including, the
scheduling of a second Call-to-Action meeting to bring the initial participants back together, the status of what is
being done to address homeless encampments, and how it is working.
HISTORY/STATUS:
On January 8, 2016, the Sheriff-Coroner's Office published a Roll Call Training Bulletin as a living document, created
through the research of existing procedures from other agencies with input from County Counsel to address
homeless encampments.
On February 19, 2016, a County and Community Organization Homeless Call-to-Action Roundtable was held and
included the following participants:
Fresno Madera Continuum of Care Executive Board
Fresno County Departments of :
o Behavioral Health
o County Administrative Office
o County Counsel
o Public Health
o Public Works and Planning
o Sheriff-Coroner’s Office
o Social Services
A representative from Fresno Councilmember Soria’s Office
Fresno Police Department Homeless Task Force
Fresno Mayor’s Chief of Staff
Poverello House
Fresno Rescue Mission
Veteran’s Administration Central California Health Care System
Fresno Housing Authority
Westcare
A Madera County Supervisor and Chief of Staff
On March 16, 2016, the County Administrative Officer formed the Working Group to Address Homeless
Encampments comprised of the County departments that attended the Call-to-Action and included representatives of
Supervisorial Districts 1 and 3.
Agenda Date:
Board Briefing Report
The Working Group has addressed encampments in the County, some of which have reached populations of more
than 30 people. These encampments’ negative impact on the public include trespassing on private property; public
health and safety concerns; human waste disposal; drug paraphernalia-used syringes; human trafficking-prostitution;
public nuisance including obstructed streets, sidewalks and alleyways; blight; and, increased property crimes. The
encampments that have been addressed in the County include:
Location Parties Involved Cleanup by Date of Cleanup
Mendota Westlands Water District Contractor paid by the
District
November 2015
Shields/Sierra Vista Private Owner County January 2016
Princeton/Valentine
Avenues
Private Owner County April 2016
Belmont/Hughes Avenues San Joaquin Valley Railroad
and Cemetery District
County with assistance
of an environmental
contracting company
May 2016
Shaw/Hayes Avenues Fresno Irrigation District County with assistance
of an environmental
contracting company
October 2016
Shields/Sierra Vista - revisit Private Owner County January 2017
Orange/Lorena Private Owner following a
court injunction sought by a
neighbor company
Private Owner January 2017
Lafayette/Dennett Two Private Owners County with assistance
of an environmental
contracting company
March 2017
DEPARTMENTAL SERVICES:
On August 23, 2016, the Working Group presented to your Board a report detailing the group’s activities, including:
Behavioral Health visits encampment sites, ensures Fresno Madera Continuum of Care is engaged to
provide outreach support to encampment dwellers. The Continuum of Care meets with encampment
dwellers prior to and after dis-encampment activities to offer housing and treatment options over several
days/weeks/months at each encampment site, most dwellers refuse services.
County Counsel provides an advisory role to legal concerns and questions regarding the County’s general
homeless encampment abatement policies and specific department concerns.
Fresno Sheriff’s Office tracks and documents Homeless Encampment calls and prioritizes camps. County
agencies and contractors are coordinated including advocate response. There is a 7-day minimum posting
process before cleanup action that alerts occupants to vacate. The homeless camp is documented and
photos are taken every day during the posting period. On the day of cleanup, the remaining occupants are
removed, the personal property is identified and stored, and the contractor disposes of trash and cleans
site.
To retrieve stored personal property:
Individuals with stored property are given a receipt with contact information and have 90 days to claim
their property
The deputy schedules a date and time for individuals to claim property stored at the County facility
Unclaimed property is disposed of 91 days after date of storage
Public Health is involved during noticing period/hazardous material screening, hazardous material and
hazardous waste screening during cleanup, and sharps and pharmaceutical screening and disposal.
Public Works and Planning receives initial complaints and notifies owner of violation, administers citations
to non-responsive owners and records liens, if necessary; provides information to other agencies
(ownership, maps, photos, etc.); and follow up with property owners to prevent reoccurrence of violations.
Assists the Sheriff with the cleanup by providing equipment, personnel and necessary coordination.
Social Services provides an advisory role as a funder and Regional Representative to the Fresno Madera
Continuum of Care and information on available services for those who are homeless.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
On September 27, 2016, your Board allocated $100,000 to offset the cost associated with homeless departmental
cleanup activities. The funding will be expended by June 30, 2017.
During negotiations with Exclusive Service Area Program haulers, your Board provided direction to the Department
of Public Works and Planning to address illegal dumping and homeless encampment cleanup services.
FOCUS OF STAFF ACTIVITY:
The Working Group continues to meet every four to six weeks to discuss the homeless encampment status and
address issues collaboratively.
The County continues to collaborate with community organizations and the Fresno Police Department Homeless
Task Force.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) Continued County collaboration with the identified Call-to-Action agencies
2) A 2nd Call-to-Action meeting has been scheduled tentatively in the month of July 2017.
3) To continue to address the homeless issue, the Working Group recommends:
Increased community awareness about panhandling, illegal dumping, and empowering property
owners to take responsibility for their properties.
Pursuit of permanent housing and services for the homeless, such as the upcoming Department of
Behavioral Health’s mobile unit.
4) Continued funding allocation to address the encampment cleanup process.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #6, November 15, 2016
BAI #8, September 27, 2016
BAI #6, August 23, 2016
CONTACT PERSON(S):
Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer, (559) 600-1221
Sonia M. De La Rosa, Senior Administrative Analyst, (559) 600-1222 or sdelarosa@co.fresno.ca.us