To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
License Agreement with West County Community Services for Use of Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as an Interim Congregate Homeless Shelter
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute an agreement wherein County of Sonoma, as Licensor, grants a license to West County Community Services (WCCS), as Licensee, for use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building, 16255 First St, Guerneville, CA 95446 for a one year term, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, as a year-round, round-the-clock (24/7) interim congregate homeless shelter for the benefit of the local community.
B) Delegate authority to the Director of Public Infrastructure to extend the term of the License for additional terms of one year each, not to exceed four (4) additional annual terms subject to availability of funding for building maintenance and utility expenses.
C) Make the findings that in the furtherance of the ending homelessness program, the Board of Supervisors hereby approves the issuance of the license for use to WCCS, which is a local nonprofit corporation, to carry out the programs determined by your Board to be in the best interest of the county and general public, and that the Premises is real property of the County, which is not and, during the time of possession, will not be needed for county purposes.
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Executive Summary:
Purpose. The Director of Public Infrastructure requests Board consideration for County of Sonoma, as Licensor, to grant a License to WCCS for use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building (Veterans Building) as a year-round, round-the clock (24/7) interim congregate homeless shelter. WCCS has entered into a provider services agreement with Department of Health Services (DHS) for delivery of specified services at the site. The proposed License will support the County’s homeless services needs and the Board’s Strategic Pillar of Healthy and Safe Communities.
Discussion:
The proposed license agreement will allow the use of the Veterans Building as an interim emergency homeless shelter and provide related services under a program administered by DHS. The program will carry out aspects of a five-year Strategic Plan to reduce homelessness approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 1, 2023, to strengthen supportive services in response to the strain felt by people experiencing homelessness, and by homeless service providers, who are overtaxed and under-resourced. The Parties acknowledge that building supportive services capacity is critical to ease this strain and better meet the needs of those in a housing crisis.
The proposed license agreement that will extend WCCS’ use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as a year-round, round-the clock (24/7) interim congregate homeless shelter will support the County’s homeless service needs, help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and support the Board’s Strategic Pillar of Healthy and Safe Communities.
License. The proposed License between the County, as Licensor, and the WCCS, as Licensee, contains the following key provisions:
1. One (1) year term, commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2027
2. Under delegated authority to the Director of SPI, County may extend the term for up to four (4) additional one (1) year extensions in the Director’s reasonable discretion
3. WCCS to provide services under the DHS -WCCS service agreement as the consideration for use of the Premises
4. WCCS accepts the Premises “As Is”
5. County to provide utilities and maintenance during the license term
6. WCCS will reimburse County for the cost of any damage to the premises arising out of or in connection with the WCCS’ use of the Premises
7. County may terminate the license at any time by giving 90 days’ written notice
8. The license shall automatically terminate if the service agreement between DHS and WCCS is terminated.
In support of the program conducted at the premises, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services serves as the Lead Agency designated by the local Continuum of Care, also known as the Homeless Coalition, and supports the implementation of the Homeless Coalition Advisory Board's priorities. In support of these efforts, additional appropriations of $138,828 for FY 2026-27 will be added during the 1st Quarter Consolidated Budget Adjustments, (approximately $11,569 monthly) to support costs to maintain and repair the premises, and for monthly utilities costs to be incurred with WCCS’ use of the Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building as a year-round, round-the-clock (24/7) interim congregate homeless shelter.
Pursuant to Government Code section 26227, the Board may elect to approve the license to WCCS based on the following findings:
In the furtherance of the ending homelessness program, the Board of Supervisors hereby approves the issuance of the license for use to WCCS, which is a local nonprofit corporation, to carry out the programs determined by your Board to be in the best interest of the county and general public, and that the Premises is real property of the County, which is not and, during the time of possession, will not be needed for county purposes.
Procedural Authority.
Government Code Section 26227 provides for the issuance of the proposed license to a nonprofit corporation upon making the findings described above.
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.
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 27-28 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
$138,828 |
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Total Expenditures |
$138,828 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
$138,828 |
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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 |
$138,828 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Appropriations will be adjusted during the 1st Quarter Consolidated Budget Adjustments to allocate funds in the amount of $138,828 as cost recovery for SPI to maintain, repair and pay for utilities for the premise during the term in support of the DHS program to end homelessness.
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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:
License between County of Sonoma as Licensor and WCCS as Licensee
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Service Agreement between DHS and WCCS