HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM Administrative Order Authorizing Creation of Sanctioned Camping Area and Prohibiting on North Mahon Creek Path (effective 09-17-24)CITY OF SAN RAFAEL ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER AUTHORIZING CREATION OF SANCTIONED CAMPING
AREA AND PROHIBITING CAMPING ON NORTH MAHON CREEK PATH TO
FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF SANCTIONED CAMPING AREA
This Administrative Order of the City Manager of the City of San Rafael authorizes
the creation of Sanctioned Camping Area (outlined below) on the northern portion of the
Mahon Creek Path and prohibits camping in this location to facilitate creation of the
Sanctioned Camping Area. This Order is effective as of September 17, 2024 at 8.00 AM
(the "Effective Date"). This Order is being issued pursuant to the authority of the City
Manager, under San Rafael Municipal Code section 19.50.030(B), to "absolutely prohibit
camping, or adopt time, place, or manner conditions on camping, at any time in or on one
or more public properties, or portion thereof."
L BACKGROUND
The City and the County of Marin partnered on an ERF-3 grant application earlier
in 2024. In April, Cal ICH announced its intent to award the County of Marin and the City
a total of $5,999,241 in funding. The City and County proposed utilizing the funds to
address San Rafael's largest encampment, and Marin County's largest urban
encampment, known as the Mahon Creek Area encampment. The Mahon Creek Area
encampment includes two sections along the Mahon Creek Path, one from Francisco
Boulevard West to Lincoln Avenue ("North Mahon Creek Path") and a second from
Lincoln Avenue to Anderson Drive ("South Mahon Creek Path").
Utilizing the ERF-3 grant funds, the City intends to establish a Sanctioned Camping
Area along the North Mahon Creek Path. The Sanctioned Camping Area will include up
to 47 tent sites for enrolled participants. This is a joint effort between the City and the
County of Marin which aims to focus resources to support participants on their pathways
to housing. Marin County Health and Human Services will contract with a housing case
management provider to have three full-time housing case management staff and one
full-time outreach worker dedicated to ERF-3 enrolled participants, including individuals
in the Sanctioned Camping Area. There will also be a program operator on -site who will,
in a trauma -informed manner, provide a variety of operations related services. This
includes, but is not limited to, conducting regular participant check -ins and assisting case
management staff in maintaining contact with participants.
The Sanctioned Camping Area is intended to provide safe and secure campsites,
with gates, fencing, and 24/7 security personnel on -site to assist with resident safety,
notify emergency services as needed, and monitor the overall location. Fire extinguishers
will be placed in outdoor cabinet locations throughout the Sanctioned Camping Area.
Participants will be provided with 10' x 10' tents that will be set up by program staff prior
to their entry into the camping area. Up to two small office units will be placed on -site to
be used by housing case managers and outreach staff. Shade canopies will be set up to
provide meeting spaces for residents, as well as on -site staff. Four standard restroom
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units and two ADA compliant units will be provided for residents. One restroom will be
reserved for security and on -site staff use. Garbage dumpsters will be internally placed
at the camping area gates, as well as trash bins throughout the site. Garbage pickup
service will be provided regularly by Marin Sanitary Service. Additionally, participants will
only be able to keep items inside their campsite areas and not add additional items to the
exterior of their tents.
The Sanctioned Camping Area will be open to individuals identified as residing in
the Mahon Creek Area encampment prior to January 31, 2024 (the submission date of
the ERF3 grant application). City staff anticipate the Sanctioned Camping Area will
operate for 12-18 months.
Participation in the Sanctioned Camping Area is voluntary, and individuals will be
prioritized based on the following criteria (in rank order):
1. Plaintiffs in Boyd v. City of San Rafael
2. VI-SPDAT Score
3. Length of time residing in the MCA encampment
4. Previous participation in the City's Service Support Area
The City's goal is to have the Sanctioned Camping Area in operation by early
October 2024. This is contingent upon the issuance of required permits by utility
companies. The City is working collaboratively with those agencies to expedite the
process.
In order to prepare North Mahon Creek Path for these improvements, the City
needs to clear the area of all existing campsites, debris, and other obstructions. This
Administrative Order prohibits camping on North Mahon Creek Path so that the City can
make the necessary improvements. The City anticipates that when this Administrative
Order is lifted, camping will be permitted on North Mahon Creek Path only as part of the
Sanctioned Camping Area.
II. ORDER
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to authority vested in the City Manager under
Section 19.50.030(B) of the San Rafael Municipal Code, the City Manager of the City of
San Rafael hereby orders as follows:
1. A Sanctioned Camping Area shall be authorized on North Mahon
Creek Path to be operating generally as described above. This Order is not
intended to confer on any individual a right to reside in the Sanctioned Camping
Area, or a right to require the City to provide any particular amenities or services
at the Sanctioned Camping Area.
2. Effective September 17, 2024 at 8:00 AM, camping is prohibited on
North Mahon Creek Path. The prohibition shall remain in effect until a
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subsequent administrative order of the City Manager rescinding or modifying the
prohibition.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City Manager of the City of San Rafael has executed
this Order as of the day, month and year below written.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL: DATE:
chklne Nli oVIM
Cristine Alilovich (Sep 8, 2024 20:31 PDT)
CRISTINE ALILOVICH, City Manager
ATTEST:
City Clerk
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
September 9, 2024
Page 3 of 3
2024 09 06 DRAFT Administrative Order
Regarding Mahon Creek Path (FINAL)
Final Audit Report 2024-09-09
Created: 2024-09-09
By: John Stefanski (John.stefanski@cityofsanrafael.org)
Status: Signed
Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAASUEhozxVlbX5X-KBPicRulpjoUDFYYYj
"2024 09 06 DRAFT Administrative Order Regarding Mahon Cre
ek Path (FINAL)" History
Document created by John Stefanski (John.stefanski@cityofsanrafael.org)
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0 Agreement completed.
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