pages: CityCouncil/2021-11-16.pdf, 28
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CityCouncil | 2021-11-16 | 28 | Vice Mayor Vella moved approval of hearing the Housing Element under the Continued Agenda Items section of the next Council agenda. Councilmember Knox White stated the next Council agenda will be multi-hour discussion. Vice Mayor Vella inquired whether the Housing Element matter can be continued to a special meeting. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Council can agree to take one more matter after the current discussion; Council may then discuss the continued, date specific matters after. Vice Mayor Vella moved approval of hearing the parking management plan [paragraph no 21- after the current matter. Councilmember Knox White seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Herrera Spencer: No; Knox White: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 4. Noes: 1. Vice Mayor Vella stated unhoused individuals continue to grow in number year after year; the winter months bring bad weather events; the project is economy of scale being phased in. Vice Mayor Vella moved approval of the staff recommendation [including adoption of the resolution] with direction to staff to change the contract language and have more than one community meeting. Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she has visited a site run by BACS; she has discussed BACS success with other mayors; the value of using an organization like BACS is the track record; there are many ways in which people become homeless; it would have been preferable to perform outreach ahead of time; Council stretches staff pretty thin; there are only so many hours in each day; the outreach portion is not a reason to delay the project; the housing crisis is present and a long time coming; working with BACS, a trusted provider, gives much confidence; however, good communication with neighbors is critical; having a team and advisory committee is needed for neighbors to feel that they are being heard; she fully expects neighbors to be open-minded and allow for further learning; communication is key; the City is late to start; she is confident in City staff and BACS personnel; she expects staff to be on top of the encampments in the area; she is pleased that the Day Center is open over-night and is making a difference; expressed support for staff working with those in encampments to reach out to Village of Love; the City of Riverside has an expansive homeless outreach program; Riverside has created a registry similar to a wedding or baby shower registry; the registry acts as a wish list of needed items in order to furnish units; community members can go online to purchase items; she does not support using ARPA funds to purchase a vehicle for the program; expressed support for contracting with a local taxi company for vouchers; stated that she would not like the purchase of a vehicle for the program to be included; expressed support for the program and for families to be part of a co-housing model. Councilmember Daysog stated that he hears concerns raised by neighbors of the area; he Regular Meeting Alameda City Council November 16, 2021 17 | CityCouncil/2021-11-16.pdf |