To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure / Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, SPI, 707-565-2550 / Nolan Sullivan, DHS, 707-565-4774
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): All
Title:
Title
License Agreement with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa for Use of County-owned Property
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) Director to execute the proposed license agreement with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (Catholic Charities) for the use of County-owned property, located at 332 and 336 Eliza Way, in Santa Rosa, consisting of 2, single-story refurbished dormitory buildings, each comprised of 8,075 sq. ft. of space, to provide 24/7 site operation and management for the interim shelter facility commonly known as Eliza’s Village; and
B) Delegate authority to the SPI Director to execute future amendments and associated documents, as reasonably requested by Department of Health Services (DHS) and SPI staff in consultation with the County Executive, and in a form approved by County Counsel, which are consistent with the essential terms of the original proposed license agreement and do not extend the term of the license agreement;
C) Make findings as required by Government Code Section 26227 that the proposed use of the property by Licensee will carry out programs necessary to meet the social, health and rehabilitation needs of the population of the County and that the subject premises are not needed for other County purposes during the term of the proposed agreement or any extensions thereof.
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Executive Summary:
Section 26227 of the Government Code allows the County to enter into an agreement with nonprofit agencies for use of county real property, provided that the Board makes a finding that the agreement will carry out programs serving public purposes and the property will not, during the time of possession, be needed for County purposes. This item seeks Board authority to execute a proposed license agreement with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (“Catholic Charities”), for use of County-owned property located at 332 and 336 Eliza Way in the County Los Guilicos campus in Santa Rosa, and to make the findings as required by Section 26227.
Discussion:
Department of Health Services (DHS) services at Eliza’s Village.
In August 2021, the County set up a shelter and navigation center (LG Village), consisting of approximately 60 interim housing units and infrastructure, to assist persons experiencing homelessness, who had been residing on the Joe Rodota Trail in Santa Rosa. The LG Village was managed and operated by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission (CDC). The Homelessness Services program transferred from CDC to DHS in January 2023.
In July 2024, your Board authorized St. Vincent de Paul to provide support services and site management at LG Village under a services contract with DHS, until all LG Village individuals and operations were transitioned to their current location at 332 and 336 Eliza Way within the Los Guilicos campus (Eliza’s Village). Eliza’s Village consists of two refurbished dormitory buildings, each building comprised of approximately 8,075 sq. ft., for a total of 16,150 sq. ft., with the capacity to house up to a total of 80 individuals in single-room occupancy or up to 160 individuals in double-room occupancy, as needed. Rehabilitation of the dorms at Eliza’s Village was completed in September 2024.
Following a request for proposal process, in July 2026, DHS entered into an Agreement for Services with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (Catholic Charities) to provide homelessness program site management and related services at Eliza’s Village. DHS serves as the lead for the Program housing clients at this location and provides services that include housing navigation, case management and behavioral health services coordination. DHS determines which clients can be referred to Eliza’s Village to receive eligible services. DHS is also responsible for utilities, maintenance and security expenses at this location.
Catholic Charities provides site management services at Eliza’s Village which include 24-hour site operations and staffing, guest intake and exit coordination, maintaining Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) guest records, Coordinated Entry System enrollment support, coordination with County-designated case managers, facility and room inspections, enrichment and engagement programming, volunteer coordination, low-barrier shelter operations, enforcement of County-developed guest conduct standards, trauma-informed de-escalation and crisis response, emergency preparedness training, and overall site safety and security management. The facility also provides accommodations such as showers and laundry.
As the interim homeless housing site management contractor, Catholic Charities will license the Premises from the County, through a proposed license agreement, which contains the following key provisions:
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Premises: |
332 and 336 Eliza Way, in Santa Rosa within the County Los Guilicos campus. This facility contains two, single-story refurbished dormitory buildings, each comprised of 8,075 sq. ft. of space, for a total of 16,150 sq. ft. Please see Attachment 1 -Site Plan. |
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Term: |
The term will commence upon full execution of the proposed license agreement, effective July 1, 2026, and expires on June 30, 2029. The license agreement provides two (2), 1-year extension options, which would extend the term of the license agreement through June 30, 2031, based on funding availability for the program. |
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Consideration: |
In lieu of rent, Catholic Charities will provide project site management services and related services at Eliza’s Village. |
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Termination: |
County may terminate the license agreement for any reason, including the event of revocation or lapse of any required permit, upon five (5) days’ prior written notice. |
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Public Interest. Section 26227 of the Government Code allows the County to enter into an agreement with a nonprofit agency for use of county real property, provided that the Board makes a finding that the agreement will carry out the programs serving public purposes and the property will not, during the time of possession, be needed for County purposes. The County contracts with numerous community-based organizations to deliver services in a variety of modalities, often using County-owned properties for maximum efficiency. The provision of this facility through the proposed license agreement is in the best interest of the County and general public and contributes to public well-being by promoting health, stability, and recovery among vulnerable populations, thus reducing the need for more intensive public assistance and improving quality of life. The premises to be utilized by Catholic Charities is not otherwise used for any County operations or programs, and there is no foreseeable need for County use of the proposed premises during the term of the license agreement.
Staff requests that your Board authorize the Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) to execute the proposed license agreement, future amendments and associated documents required for the operation of the license agreement, as reasonably requested by SPI and DHS staff and in consultation with the County Executive, and in a form approved by County Counsel, which are consistent with the essential terms of the original agreement and which do not extend the term of the agreement.
Staff further requests that your Board make a finding pursuant to Government Code 26227 that the proposed agreement carries out programs serving public proposes and that the County does not need the proposed Premises during the extended terms of these agreements.
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 1: Expand integrated system of care to address gaps in services to the County’s most vulnerable.
Objective: Objective 3: Create a “no wrong door” approach where clients who need services across multiple departments and programs are able to access the array of services needed regardless of where they enter the system.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 26-27 Adopted |
FY 27-28 Projected |
FY 28-29 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
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Funding Sources |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no monetary value associated with the proposed license agreement with Catholic Charities, and therefore no direct fiscal impact. Maintenance and utility expenses associated with these facilities are included in DHS annual Recommended Budgets.
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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 - Site Plan
2 - Copy of Proposed License Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.