To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): General Services, Community Development Commission
Staff Name and Phone Number: Caroline Judy, General Services: 707-565-8058, Dave Kiff, CDC: 707-565-7504
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
County License with CDC for Continued Use of Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as a Homeless Shelter
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the General Services Director to execute a license agreement with the Community Development Commission (CDC) for use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as a year-round, round-the-clock (24/7) homeless shelter for the benefit of the local community.
B) Find that the subject agreement is in the public interest and that the use of the subject Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building under the agreement will not substantially conflict or interfere with County use.
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Executive Summary:
The Director of General Services requests Board approval, as Licensor, of a license agreement with the CDC for use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as a year-round, round-the clock (24/7) homeless shelter. The CDC has contracted with West County Community Services (WCCS) to use the facility for a Navigation Center (including housing for up to 25 persons) the past year to assist in COVID response efforts. The proposed License will continue to support the County’s homeless services needs and the Board’s Strategic Pillar of Healthy and Safe Communities.
Discussion:
In December, 2019, the County of Sonoma declared a Homeless State of Emergency due to the number of residents who were living in unsheltered or unstable circumstances and due to the housing affordability crisis, which is driving homelessness and displacement of residents.
In March, 2020, the County of Sonoma’s Public Health Officer declared a public health emergency regarding the transmission of the novel coronavirus responsible for the disease known as COVID-19, with the declaration ratified by the Board of Supervisors.
In December, 2020, the County allowed the CDC to utilize the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building for the purpose of providing homeless services, including sleeping, showers and storage of personal belongings. The County’s decision was due to housing displacement occurring during the Covid-19 Public Health and Local Emergencies that hindered compliance with state and local shelter in place directives, creating a risk of increased spread of COVID-19, overburdening our healthcare system, and potentially resulting in loss of life.
In April, 2021, the County and CDC executed a letter agreement to allow Licensee’s occupancy of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building for use as a shelter to continue on a month-to-month basis through 6/30/21.
In November, 2021, the County and CDC initiated discussions to extend the operation of the homeless shelter at Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building.
Discussion between the County and CDC continued through January when a license agreement was finalized that will extend CDC’s operation of a homeless shelter at Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building through March 31, 2023.
The proposed license agreement that will extend CDC use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as a year-round, round-the clock (24/7) homeless shelter will support the County’s homeless service needs, help prevent the spread of COVID, and support the Board’s Strategic Pillar of Health and Safe Communities.
License. The proposed License between the County, as Licensor, and the CDC, as Licensee, contains the following key provisions:
1. Twenty-one (21) month term, commencing July 1, 2021 and expiring March 31, 2023
2. CDC to pay to the County a license fee of ($11,569) per month for use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as a year-round, round-the clock (24/7) homeless shelter
3. CDC accepts the Premises “As Is”
4. County to provide utilities and maintenance during the license term
5. CDC will reimburse County for the cost of any repairs that are needed to the premises arising out of or in connection with the CDC’s use of the Premises
6. County may terminate the license at any time by giving 30 day’s written notice
Project Costs and Construction Schedule.
None.
Procedural Authority. If it is in the public interest and if the use will not interfere with County’s use of the subject property, Government Code section 25526.6 allows the County to lease, license, or allow use of County real property by any public agency, on terms and conditions as determined by the County. Here, the license agreement with the CDC will continue to make available unused and underutilized space at the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building that is not needed for County purposes. By assuring the continued presence of the CDC operated, year-round, round-the clock (24/7) homeless shelter, this license agreement will support the County’s homeless service needs, help prevent the spread of COVID, and support the Board’s Strategic Pillar of Healthy and Safe Communities.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Healthy and Safe Communities
Goal: Goal 4: Reduce the County’s overall homeless population by 10% each year by enhancing services through improved coordination and collaboration.
Objective: Objective 5: Continue to collaborate with local partners, including Continuum of Care, to advance planning and policies to address homelessness.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 21-22 Adopted |
FY 22-23 Projected |
FY 23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$138,828 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$138,828 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
$138,828 |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$138,828 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The FY21-22 Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building rent revenue and maintenance costs are included within the General Services current budget.
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Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
1 - License between County of Sonoma as Licensor and the CDC as Licensee
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None