HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10191993 - 1.62 2-
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: OCTOBER 19, 1993
SUBJECT: POLICY FOR REMOVAL OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)& BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
I. Recommended Action:
APPROVE policy for procedure to remove homeless encampments within the County or Flood
Control District right of way.
Il. Financial lmpact:
Minor financial impact for various agencies involved to assist homeless, post notices and clean
up sites.
III. Reasons for Recommendations and Background:
It is necessary for the Public Works Department to be able to remove illegal encroachments within
our road and channel rights of way. At times, these encroachments consist of encampments set
up by homeless individuals who are trespassing and creating health hazards within the Flood
Control channels.
A procedure has now been outlined, based on one obtained from CALTRANS, to allow for
sufficient notice to the homeless of the removal and cleanup of an encampment. Multiple
agencies have agreed to cooperate in the procedure to attempt to defuse the impact of the
removal and cleanup operation.
IV. Consequences of Negative Action:
The County will not have a coordinated policy for removal of homeless encampment within County
or Flood Control District right of way.
Continued on Attachment: SIGNATURE:
_ RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
_ RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON �5 lyy3 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER _
::c reby certify that this is a true and correct :,;:;y of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervison the date shown.
ATTESTED: - T %' - f 2 g— �
PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and county Administrator
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
_ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) fsy . ,Deputy
AYES: NOES:
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
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Orig. Div: Public Works(ADMIN)
Contact: Patricia McNamee 510/313-2204
cc: County Administrator
County Counsel
GMEDA Director
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Homeless Encampment Removal Procedure
1. This procedure is applicable to homeless encampments only. Therefore, miscellaneous items found on County or
Flood Control District right of way are to be handled according to normal procedures.
2. Upon finding a homeless encampment on County or Flood Control right of way, any IMMEDIATE HAZARD MAY
BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. (Take Pictures)
3. Notify Housing Authority in advance of posting notice so they can attempt to locate housing for homeless.
4. Request Health Department to inspect and report.
5. Conspicuously post the form notice with the date,time and location of posting entered on the appropriate lines and
take pictures.
6. Notify the Supervisor whose district it is in.
7. Forty-eight (48) hours after the posting of the notice, the encampment may be removed after the following is
completed.
a. Notify local law enforcement and request their assistance in notifying the homeless encampment individuals.
b. Conduct a quick field review of the encampment (i.e., simply look around at the items which are in plain
view).
C. Take sufficient photos.
d. If any of the following items are APPARENT and REASONABLY SAFE and NOT A SANITARY HAZARD,
they should be held by the appropriate maintenance yard for 20 days prior to disposal:
watches jewelry personal photographs
tents stoves personal records
backpacks audio equipment bedrolls
medication toiletries blankets
eye glasses handbags duffle bags
books usable clothing not used solely for bedding
8. Keep a record of the date, time and location of the removal of a homeless encampment.
9. Anything stored from a location can be kept in one bag that is marked with the date, time and location of removal.
County employees are not responsible for insuring that property is released to actual owners. Possessions are to
be released to persons who can identify them.
10. Persons illegally trespassing or lodging on County or Flood Control District right of way can be arrested immediately.
However, we will only seek arrests if someone refuses to leave or is caught lodging on County or Flood Control
District right of way more than once. The County has no objection to the trespassers taking bags of belongings
with them at the time when they leave.
11. Employees assigned to remove the encampment should take appropriate safety precautions in the course of the
work. This should include gloves, boots, safety glasses and other equipment as necessary.
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