REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 20, 2020
FROM: LEE BRAND, Mayor
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: H. SPEES, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
WORKSHOP - Santa Clara Street Area Update
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Mayor’s Office to provide a briefing to City Council on the Plan for the Santa Clara Street Area.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Plans to address the challenges associated with the area bounded by Ventura, Santa Clara, G Street and E Street in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND
On March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19. Due to the transient nature of the homeless population and greater potential to increase COVID-19 transmission posed by their relocation, the CDC issued guidance and/or considerations for encampments to allow unsheltered individuals to remain in place. Following the CDC’s guidance, the City suspended the daily clean ups in the area bounded by Santa Clara Street, E Street, Ventura Street, and G Street. As a result of this suspension, the long-term encampment in the Santa Clara Street Area it has become larger, more entrenched, unhealthy, and dangerous.
In order to address these challenges, a plan has been developed to improve the health of those experiencing homelessness in the area through 1.) reducing vehicular traffic, 2.) re-instituting daily clean ups, 3.) increasing outreach and navigation services, and 4.) establishing a good-neighbor district that reduces encampments in the area bounded by Fresno, Highway 41, G Street and Highway 99).
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this item is not an award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
N/A
Attachment: Presentation