 Addressing the complex issue of homelessness has been years in the making, and on April 19th, the Board made a significant policy decision and gave staff direction to establish short-term shelter sites in time to mitigate fire danger this year as well as a longer term Navigation Center with a shelter component and wrap-around services.
The draft motion reads as follows:
A motion was made by Supervisor Thomas, seconded by Supervisor Novasel to:
1) Receive a presentation regarding potential shorter and longer term sites for a congregate Navigation Center with an emergency shelter component;
2) Adopt and Authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 061-2022 for a Homeless Shelter Crisis Declaration which would allow for a shorter term Navigation Center to be operational before Fall 2022;
3) Direct staff to pursue 2 short-term project sites, 1970/1940 Broadway for non-congregate shelter and Perks Court for a short term congregate shelter site, and move towards negotiation of a lease and development of the sites prioritizing the placement of homeless individuals in encampments currently located inside city limits;
4) Direct staff to pursue Perks Court for a longer-term Navigation Center in addition to working with the City of Placerville to explore the feasibility of 471 Pierroz Road in order to move toward negotiation of a lease and/or purchase of one of the sites to operate as a longer-term Navigation Center in future years;
5) Direct staff to work with the City of Placerville and the Upper Room to explore the feasibility of relocating the Upper Room to one of the short-term project sites;
and
6) Direct the Chief Administrative Office to work with the City of Placerville to secure additional law enforcement resources and come back with a Memorandum of Understanding if a short-term project at 1970/1940 Broadway is selected.
 Staff's full presentation to the Board can be found here: Agenda Link
The Homeless Shelter Crisis Declaration under AB 2553 will enable the County to launch a short-term, temporary Navigation Center program that can be dedicated to encampments in an estimated 12-14 week timeframe, a process that would normally take 12-18 months.
At the BOS meeting, there was discussion that all but one of the recommended sites was inside Placerville city limits. Additionally, the upper Broadway location was originally recommended as both a long-term and short-term site. It is critical to understand that Broadway has long been severely impacted by this issue as seen by a recent photo of the Broadway encampment that is "home" to approximately 50 individuals. No one should live this way, and it was acknowledged that we can no longer continue being one of the 4 out of 58 California counties that have no shelter options, or this will continue to be our reality.
It was also imperative for the BOS and the community to understand that after decades of stagnation and decline, major improvements and economic development opportunities are in the works for this area and we must have the tools and the ability to clean up and maintain our community productively.
 There is much to be done in the months ahead to successfully address this issue, and I look forward to working collaborative with our county staff and the City of Placerville to make progress in this arena.
Please note that the Placerville City Council will be reviewing and discussing the Board of Supervisor's action on their next agenda which can be found here: April 26 Agenda
I look forward to being present at the Placerville City Council meeting next Tuesday to hear their discussion and deliberation and be present to answer any questions.
Clean out your closets, garages, kitchens and sheds and unload these burdens this Saturday at Camino's Clean Up Day! A donation per load is requested.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Parking Lot off Pony Express Trail.
 This Saturday, April 23, from 9 - 11 a.m., take the kids to Lumsden Park in Placerville for the annual Fishing Derby!
Bring your own fishing gear and come on over to 3144 Wiltse Road in Placerville. No need to register in advance!
A big thanks to Placerville's Community Services Department, EDC's Fish and Wildlife Commission as well as Placerville's Kiwanis and Lions Clubs for sponsoring this time-honored tradition which has been taking place for the past 35 years!
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