HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-13 Packet - Special Meeting
Attachment #1
Dear Supervisors,
sheltering plan and risk mitigation strategies to limit COVID-19 spread among the
homeless population in Mendocino County. There is a noticeably larger number of
unsheltered individuals in the county that has emerged during this public health
emergency. This is likely due in part to the modifications to intake/releases in the
correction/judicial system along with modified service delivery of homeless related
services by County Health and Human Services and contracted service providers. There
is undoubtedly an increased risk to the homeless population from COVID-19 and as such,
our first responders and heath care resources are at significant risk from a major spread
event. A preemptive and coordinated county-wide response is imperative.
individuals who are elderly or medically vulnerable or otherwise at high risk, and a
quarantine/isolation plan for when individuals become sick.While these efforts are
important, they fail to address a mitigation plan that must include sheltering, which has
been identified as imperative, during this emergency for the greater homeless population
and encampments.
importance of providing shelter and/or other proper COVID-19 mitigation measures. It is
important to note that all homeless and health/human services, resources, and funding are
provided at and through the County. Our rural cities are completely reliant upon the
on for the homeless
population have been slow to materialize. There remains a lack of a unified approach
among the County Office of Emergency Services, Health and Human Services, the
sulting in
duplication of services, an inefficient utilization of already-scarce resources, and
significant gaps in service.Please understand, that we make this point with a
constructive emphasis and a desire to see a more effective planning model and response
effort related to unsheltered individuals during as well as beyond this emergency event.
This feedback is currently also being expressed by other stakeholders, providers and local
jurisdictions. To that end, the Council recommends the County immediately identify
a point person with sufficient authority and scope to undertake a unified and
coordinated response for this effort, and be appointed and empowered to report
directly to the Executive Office and the Board of Supervisors.
We want to further emphasize that this has been and remains a county-wide issue, not just
a Ukiah issue, and currently the most apparent impact is in Ukiah on the north end of
Runway Safety Area at the Ukiah Municipal Airport. This current issue grew from 15
people to well over 60 people since the onset of the COVID-19 emergency.
This encampment and others throughout the county will continue to grow with the
piecemeal delivery of services and efforts. It is unfair to place the burden on local law
enforcement when the lack of coordination and oversight of County services is enabling
illegal camping/sheltering, including the collection and distribution of tents and
expansion of mobile services. Furthermore, business and property owners in our
community are experiencing increased levels of vandalism and theft, which can be
directly attributed to this issue.
While we the encampment in the Runway
Safety Area and firmly assert a greater effort should be made for a suitable location and
sheltering approach, we do appreciate recognition that the County will
provide a specific focus on this
this location is inadequate and lacksthe proper sanitation, monitoring, security,
coordinated support services and other specific points detailed in the Public
Health Order. To that end, the Council requests a detailed plan on how the County
will provide the appropriate services at the encampment in the Runway Safety Area
and to the remaining unsheltered homeless who remain vulnerable to COVID-19
and thus, represent a significant risk of community spread. Within the plan, please
provide specific detail for the transition to appropriate sheltering and a specific end
date for services in the Runway Safety Area, which is critical to the safe and
continued operation of the Ukiah Municipal Airport.
We appreciate your service and thank you for addressing these concerns.
Sincerely,
Douglas F. Crane
Mayor, City of Ukiah
Authorized by: X-X vote of Ukiah City Council on 04-13-2020.
Cc:
Carmel Angelo, County CEO
Lt. Shannon Barney, EOC Manager
Brentt Blaser, Emergency Service Coordinator
Tammy Moss Chandler, HHSA Director
Dr. Noemi Doohan, Mendocino County Public Health Officer