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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM Declaration of Shelter Crisis and Approval of Related Actions and Aquisition of the Property at 350 Merrydale Road PPT350 Merrydale Road City of San Rafael & County of Marin Partnership forInterim Shelter & Affordable Housing 1.Declare Shelter Crisis and adopt related regulations to advance the development of interim shelter. 2.Enter into Grant Agreement and Affordable Housing Agreement with County of Marin for interim shelter and affordable housing development. 3.Execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the property at 350 Merrydale No Council Action on the following: •The community will have the opportunities to provide additional input on: •Interim Shelter Site Plan •Operational/Programmatic details, including procurement of cabins, security, etc. •Good Neighbor Policy •Permanent affordable housing development •The next two community meetings will be in the evening on December 9th and January 14th –more details to come. Tonight’s Proposed Actions Why Interim Shelter? •No one should have to suffer on our streets. Interim shelter restores dignity for our unhoused , most vulnerable neighbors who desperately need our help. •You can’t rebuild your life while trying to survive outdoors. Shelter offers stability and a safe place to heal. •It’s the foundation for real progress.An interim shelter program offers consistent case management services and treatment options. •It’s the bridge to permanent housing.A safe, service-rich and well managed program leads to lasting outcomes for individuals and for San Rafael as a whole. San Rafael's Response to Homelessness •The lack of adequate shelter has been a priority for the City over a decade. •City Council created a Homelessness Subcommittee in 2012 to coordinate efforts and reduce unsheltered homelessness. •In 2013, the City Council adopted a Homeless Action Plan. •The City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund has invested more than $3M for supportive housing developments, such as the Casa Canal (3301 Kerner) and Jonathan's Place projects. •The City invested $775k for the SAFE (Specialized Assistance for Everyone) team, a mobile mental health crisis response unit. City County Partnership •Thank you to Derek & Team -Over the last year, the City partnered with the County to identify creative solutions to this lack of shelter space. •Encampment Resolution Fund (Round 3) joint grant -$6M •50/50 cost share program for housing-based case manager •October 14, 2024 –Joint Public City/County Housing & Homelessness Subcommittee meeting •November 4, 2024 –Cooperative Agreement Approved by City Council, which included how we would work together to administer the Encampment Resolution Fund grant and prepare for the interim shelter phase •April 18, 2025 –Joint Public City/County Housing & Homelessness Subcommittee Meeting Critical Need for Interim Shelter & Recent Success •It takes a long time to build permanent supportive housing; in the meantime, we have 264 unsheltered individuals living on the streets. •Successful piloted interim shelter programs •2021 Services Support Area (31 out of 47 participants housed). •2023 City Council Study Session on Interim Shelter; Council established site selection criteria. •2024 Mahon Creek Sanctioned Camping Area (8 participants housed so far). •Community concerns about public safety and cleanliness around the Mahon Creek Sanctioned Camping Area were addressed through community engagement with neighbors and businesses. Alignment with Policy & Goals City Council Strategic Plan 2025-2028 •Explore the implementation of a housing-focused interim shelter program, in collaboration with County. •Implement interim shelter with robust services. General Plan Housing Element 2023-2031 •Reduces homelessness by transitioning unsheltered into permanent housing. •Provides housing at most needed affordability levels. •Creates affordable housing opportunities in all parts of the City. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Element •Improves housing stability for San Rafael residents. Council-Manager Form of Government The Mayor & City Council: •Adopt strategic plans and annual goals that articulate the community’s highest needs and long-term direction. •Approve the city budget, which is one of the most powerful ways to signal what matters most by directing funding and staff resources. •Pass ordinances, resolutions, and policy frameworks that establish the rules, standards, and expectations for city services and community outcomes. •Engaging with the community through meetings, public hearings, listening sessions to understand needs and ensure priorities reflect resident input. •Provides policy-level direction to the City Manager, who then implements those policies, operationalizes them, and oversees all day-to-day city operations. Timeline of Community Engagement •Oct. 10 & 13: Door-to-door outreach to 121 households and 23 nearby businesses. •Oct. 15: Public announcement of the pending purchase and proposed land uses for the site (press conference). •This occurred as soon as the County Executive agreed to recommend the proposed grant to the Board of Supervisors •Intention was to forecast what was being proposed at the site •Amplify message thru media to raise community awareness •Oct. 28: Hosted webinar which provided an overview of the proposed interim shelter program and answered questions from residents. •Nov. 6: In person, publicly noticed special City Council meeting and open house offering an opportunity for residents to provide feedback directly to the City Council. What we heard (so far) -Major Themes •Concerns about safety on the SMART pathway, illegal dumping, loitering, parking, neighborhood safety and security. •Questions about how the site will operate day-to-day and who will live there and what the rules will be. •Concerns that new encampments could appear near the interim shelter. •Preference to have had an opportunity to provide input earlier and want more opportunities for input. Revisions Based on Community Input •Preliminary site design will include a main entrance at 3833 Redwood Highway rather than 350 Merrydale Road. •Registered Sex Offenders will not be eligible to participate in the program. •Proposed camping ordinance to prohibit camping in the immediate vicinity and within 2,000 feet of the interim shelter. •Plans being developed to address concerns regarding increased RV and car overnight parking; including targeted parking enforcement. •Police Department's Special Homeless Outreach Unit, responsible for camping ordinance enforcement will have office space and will have consistent presence on site. Revisions Based on Community Input •Revised draft of the Good Neighbor Policy to include specific requests from the community, including: •No loitering permitted outside the property or in nearby neighborhoods or surrounding areas •No loitering on SMART-owned property •Alcohol and illegal substance use prohibited on site •Quiet hours enforced 10 p.m.-7 a.m. •Designated points of contact available 24/7 for community concerns •Lighting and security systems maintained to ensure visibility and safety •Visitors must be approved and are only allowed during designated hours Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Image Source: Simple Psychology.org Success at Mahon Creek Path Crime on Mahon Path down by 80%, Andersen/Lindaro down by 50% from '23 to '25 24% of former residents have been permanently housed since 2023 74% are working with a housing-based case manager 54% have secured employment or financial assistance (ie SSI, SSDI) 82% are enrolled in benefits. 100% of individuals requesting substance use treatment have received referrals to services Homelessness in Marin County •Impacts of homelessness in San Rafael have been disparate and significant when compared to other cities and town in Marin. •Marin County has 1,090 people experiencing homelessness countywide, with 788 unsheltered (72%). •80% of San Rafael's Homeless population is unsheltered. •Countywide, there are only 235 shelter beds total – which includes specialized resources for families, youth, survivors of domestic violence, and temporary emergency response shelters,and 108 transitional housing beds. •Ritter Center, one of the largest Marin service providers for unhoused individuals, reported that only 1 in 4 shelter referrals are accepted. Why Declare a Shelter Crisis? •The numbers justify it. •80% of City’s homeless population is unsheltered. •It meets the legal standard •GC §8698 requires finding that "a significant number of persons are without the ability to obtain shelter" and that "this situation constitutes a threat to their health and safety.” •We previously declared a crisis – this updates it •The City last declared a Shelter Crisis in 2018 to access state funding for homeless services. Changes in state law (SB 1395) require us to update it now. •Underscores the urgency and commitment •Declaring a Shelter Crisis provides the authority for the City to act quickly to expand shelter capacity. •The County of Marin declared a Shelter Crisis in March 2025, reaffirming the need for coordinated local action. What does a Declaration Provide? •Regulatory Flexibility •Suspension of certain state and local laws and regulations which would hinder rapid deployment of the shelters. •Provides flexibility to streamline procurement, construction, and shelter setup. •Development Authority •Allows for low barrier navigation centers and homeless shelters on city owned or leased property as a use by right, enabling a streamlined permitting and development process. •CEQA Exemptions •Provides broad CEQA exemptions for local agency activities related to navigation centers/homeless shelters. •Public Accountability •Requires annual report to State Legislature on shelter capacity, resident outcomes, and actions to reduce homelessness. Findings in Support of a Declaration •There are insufficient affordable housing opportunities in San Rafael and Marin County •The number of unhoused individuals in Marin and San Rafael significantly exceeds the amount of shelter beds available •Unauthorized encampments cause sanitation, health, and safety impacts to individuals experiencing homelessness •Interim housing with site management and supportive services are proven to effectively improve life, health, and safety in San Rafael Ordinances Adopting Reasonable Local Standards and Procedures for Homeless Shelters •Proposed regulations authorize the City Manager to suspend any housing, health, habitability, planning and zoning, or safety standards, procedures or laws as applied to a City homeless shelter. •All projects must comply with 2019 California Residential Code Appendix X, and California Building Code Appendix O, and any future standards adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development . •This two-ordinance approach is to provide the City Manager with this delegated authority immediately until the second ordinance takes effect on December 31, 2025, 30 days from its second reading on December 1, 2025. Resolution to Authorize Agreements with the County If approved by the Marin County Board of Supervisors, the County of Marin will provide a grant of $8M: •To support the purc.hase of 350 Merrydale Rd. and initial setup of an interim shelter •City to purchase, own, manage property, and provide public safety services (PD/FD/SAFE Team). •City and County to split operating costs until June 30, 2027. •Site would close no later than June 30, 2029. •Requires additional fundraising or grants. •Maximum of 65 individuals served at any one time, no more than 70 unique individuals' total. •Priority placement to current Sanctioned Camping Area and Andersen Drive encampment participants. •Closed System Approach •No new entries within one year of anticipated closure date. Resolution to Authorize Agreements with the County In exchange for the Grant: •The City would entitle the property for up to 80 units of affordable housing by June 30, 2028. •This will require a separate review and approval process and is not under consideration tonight. •City would make a good faith effort to keep affordability levels as low as possible. •County would contribute $100,000 per entitled unit, up to 80 units; If less than 80 units are entitled, the City will refund the County $100,000 per unit. •If the property were not entitled with 80 units of affordable housing by June 30, 2028, or the City otherwise defaults on either the Grant Agreement or Affordable Housing Agreement, the City must reimburse the County the full grant of $8 million. The Affordable Housing Agreement has no end date. Overview of the Proposed Interim Shelter Program •65 individual cabins with heat, electricity, and storage •24/7, 365 on-site staff and security •Site operators will ensure daily maintenance and cleanup of site and immediate surrounding area •Coordinated care through Health and Human Services to ensure that residents receive behavioral health, social services entitlements, and holistic support •Services provided will include showers, restrooms, and meals provided on site •Informed by similar programs locally and across the state. Example Tiny Homes, DignityMoves village In downtown Santa Barbara Lessons Learned/Best Practices •24/7 staffing, predictable operations, and controlled access maintain safety. •Clear Codes of Conduct and Good Neighbor Policies create shared expectations for residents and the surrounding community. •Daily housing navigation and case management are essential for moving people into permanent housing. •On-site social services access increases stability and engagement. •Flexible, low-barrier entry (pets, partners, possessions) increases uptake. •Similar projects in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Petaluma, SF, San Jose, Redwood City, Oakland. Proposed Resolution to Acquire 350 Merrydale Road / 3833 Redwood Highway Main Criteria for Potential Sites •Site Suitability: •Minimum lot size •Flat topography •Access to utilities •Environmental constraints (e.g., flood zones, hazardous materials) •Accessibility: •Proximity to public transportation •Walking distance to services (e.g., grocery stores, healthcare, employment centers) •Ownership and Control: •Publicly owned land preferred •Willingness of private owners to lease or sell •Zoning and General Plan consistency •Operational Feasibility: •Ability to secure a service provider •Site security and management logistics •Cost of site preparation and ongoing operations Locations Considered •301 Smith Ranch Road •70 Skyview Terrace •245 Nova Albion Way •702 D Street •826 B Street •523 4th Street •Windward Way Parcel •100 Yacht Club Drive •Third & Tamalpais •101/ Andersen •City Hall Parking Lot •700 Irwin •70 Union Street •BMW Dealership Parcel •Parling Lot at Four Points by Sheraton •Northgate Mall Parking Lot •3rd Street Garage •Villa Inn/Sloat Nursery •Albery Park Tennis Courts •Menzies Parking Lot 350 Merrydale Rd. Property Overview •Approximately 2.5 acres •General Plan Designation: • Community Commercial Mixed Use •Zoning: •Planned Development District, which allows High Density Residential (HR1) uses •Last used as an adult school 1990-2020 •Entitled for 45 Townhomes in 2020 •Near Marin County Civic Center and SMART Station •Commercial Business to North and South •101 Corridor to the east •Residential subdivision to the west What makes 350 Merrydale Road Unique? •The City had searched for a site for over 2 years. •Flat, accessible lot large enough for 65 cabins. •Within City/County budget. •Identified as a location to develop affordable housing in San Rafael’s Housing Element. Proximity to Services/Downtown •Downtown services for unhoused residents include St. Vincent de Paul and Ritter Center, both of which operate on set schedules rather than as all-day service hubs. •During two engagement sessions, every Sanctioned Camping Area participant said that distance to downtown would not be a barrier for them. •It is a 6 minute bus ride or 16 minute bike ride to downtown from Merrydale. Upcoming Proposed Camping Ordinance Changes •In the Spring, the City Council will consider changes to camping regulations to; •Further prohibit unsanctioned camping along Andersen Drive. •Prohibit camping within 2,000 feet of the interim shelter site. •Make other adjustments as necessary following an evaluation of the existing regulatory framework. Interim Shelter Project Timeline Fall 2025 •Tonight’s Council Meeting. •Community Engagement Winter 2025/2026 •Project development, site set-up, and cabin procurement •City Council consideration of camping ordinance changes •Community Engagement •Launch Fundraising Campaign Spring/Summer 2026 •Launch Interim Shelter Program and begin providing services •Community Engagement Summer 2029 •Interim shelter closes no later than June 30, 2029 •Community Engagement Affordable Housing Development Timeline 2026 •City releases RFP for affordable housing developers 2027 •City and developer finalize terms of agreement 2028 •Developer must obtain land use entitlements by June 30, 2028 2029 •Interim shelter closes no later than June 30, 2029 2030 •Construction begins, after plans are approved and building permit is issued 2032 •Developer finishes construction 2033 •Leasing begins Next Steps - Plans for Future Engagement •If the City Council approves of staff’s recommendations, the work to establish the interim shelter would begin. •The City and County would hold the next two community meetings on December 9th and January 14th to receive community input on the following: •Interim Shelter Site Plan •Operational/Programmatic details, including procurement of cabins, security, etc. •Good Neighbor Policy •Permanent affordable housing development •Community engagement efforts will occur throughout the project. Recommended Actions 1.Adopt the resolution declaring a shelter crisis in San Rafael pursuant to California Government Code Section 8698, et seq. 2.Waive further reading, refer by title only, and adopt the urgency ordinance adopting reasonable local standards and procedures for homeless shelters pursuant to Government Code Section 8698, et. seq. 3.Introduce, waive further reading and refer by title only to the ordinance adopting reasonable local standards and procedures for homeless shelters pursuant to Government Code Section 8698, et. seq. Recommended Actions 4.Adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Grant Agreement between the City and the County of Marin in the amount of $8 million and an Affordable Housing Agreement to facilitate the acquisition of real property located at 350 Merrydale Road for use as an interim shelter and permanent affordable housing and to accept the full amount of the grant and appropriate $7 million to cover costs related to the acquisition. Recommended Actions 5.Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a purchase and sale agreement in the amount of $6.7 million, plus associated costs, a certificate of acceptance and other documents necessary to complete the purchase of the real property located at 350 Merrydale Road and to execute a professional services agreement with Cornish and Care Commercial (d/b/a Newmark) in an amount not to exceed $201,000 for real estate brokerage services rendered to the City for the City’s purchase of 350 Merrydale Road Thank you! Extra Resource Slides Camping Regulations and Enforcement Current unsanctioned camping ordinance prohibits unsanctioned camping: •Within 10 feet of private property •Within 5 feet of roadways •All City Parks, Falkirk Cultural Center •Lindaro Street (between Andersen and Jordan) •Mahon Creek Path (between Lincoln and Andersen) •Within 100 feet of a playground •Within 250 feet of a school •On open space properties, parking garages, public facilities, or public rights-of-way/sidewalks (when blocking access) If someone is camping in a prohibited area, the City will provide notice to the individual and then help them move within 72 hours, or immediately if there is an imminent threat to health and safety. Homelessness in Marin •Marin County has 1,090 people experiencing homelessness countywide, with 788 unsheltered •San Rafael has 326 individuals experiencing homelessness, with 264 unsheltered •Countywide, there are only 235 shelter beds total – which includes specialized resources for families, youth, survivors of domestic violence, and temporary emergency response shelters, and 108 transitional housing beds •Ritter Center, one of the largest Marin service providers for unhoused individuals, reported that only 1 in 4 shelter referrals are accepted