HomeMy WebLinkAbout18-20 - Strong opposition for the use of Fairview Dev. Ctr. as temporary facility for homeless.RESOLUTION NO. 18-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, STATING THE CITY OF COSTA MESA'S STRONG OPPOSITION FOR
THE USE OF FAIRVIEW DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER AS A TEMPORARY FACILITY
FOR CENTRALIZING ORANGE COUNTY'S HOMELESS POPULATION
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, in response to legal action related to homeless shelters, a member of
the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange has regrettably rushed an idea for
centralizing temporary housing and homeless services at the Fairview Developmental
Center in Costa Mesa without any public input or concern for local impacts; and
WHEREAS, seven years ago in January of 2011, the Costa Mesa City Council
established a Homeless Task Force and after a year of hard work, the City Council
adopted a nine -point plan to proactively address the complex issues related to
homelessness; and
WHEREAS, since 2011, the City of Costa Mesa has a long history of being a leader
in the care of homeless individuals and has implemented a multi -faceted program that
includes directly hiring 4.5 outreach employees to work closely with the homeless while
spending over $1,000,000 annually on operational support; and
WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa has created and continues to support an
incredible network of non -profits, faith -based organizations and various agencies called
the Network for Homeless Solutions. This Team has achieved significant results and is
a model for other cities; and
WHEREAS, the Fairview Developmental Center is located in the heart of Costa
Mesa and the City conducted public outreach to include a balanced General Plan
designation for the reuse of this site. The Costa Mesa City Council expects their City will
be an equal partner in any decisions made about any and all uses associated with the
Fairview Developmental Center; and
WHEREAS, Costa Mesa is in the trenches finding solutions every day with 60 to
80 homeless outreach contacts each week with tremendous success, however, rushed
Resolution No. 18-20 Page 1 of 3
"temporary" facilities can become long-term facilities with long-term impacts from a lack
of planning and a lack of public input; and
WHEREAS, Costa Mesa knows individuals experiencing homelessness, mental
health issues and alcohol and drug addiction issues come from every city in Orange
County and every city should do their part to help those members of their community and
not bring an excessive burden to a single location; and
WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa carries a disproportionate share of sober living
facilities in Orange County with approximately 200 such facilities representing 27% of the
County total in a City with only 3% of the County population; and
WHEREAS, Costa Mesa understands the current urgency and expectations
related to helping the County and Orange County cities to create additional emergency
shelter space. Costa Mesa agrees that additional short-term and long-term solutions are
needed and we will work with other cities, the County of Orange, and other agencies in
assisting the County's homeless population and will continue to partner in broad-based
County -wide solutions; and
WHEREAS, the State owns and operates Fairview Developmental Center and they
will continue to do so until at least 2021. A process will be used to study and plan for the
long-term reuse of the property with significant public input. We ask for Senator
Moorlach's help in opposing this rushed idea from Supervisor Nelson; and
WHEREAS, the Harbor Village housing complex (also on State property at
Fairview) is home to hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities, including
more than 225 developmentally disabled residents who currently live at Harbor Village.
Many of these individuals lack certain hazard awareness capabilities; can be easily
manipulated by strangers that act to be a friend, and are vulnerable to influence by
persons that do not have their interests in mind. Furthermore, many individuals with
developmental disabilities lack the social skills and ability to identify nefarious actions and
manipulation by others.
WHEREAS, Michelle Steel, Supervisor 2nd District, has stated that she does not
support reuse of the Fairview Development Center without the full participation of the City
of Costa Mesa.
Resolution No. 18-20 Page 2 of 3
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Costa
Mesa opposes Supervisor Nelson's unilateral proposal to centralize temporary housing
and homeless services at the Fairview Developmental Center and implores all cities in
Orange County and especially the County of Orange to work together and find solutions
for the homelessness crisis in Orange County and to contribute their fair share.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of March, 2018.
Genis, Mayor
ATTEST:
Brenda Green, ity Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE )
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
ss
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Thomas Duare, City Attorney
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 18-20 and was duly passed
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a special meeting held on
the 28th day of March, 2018, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Foley, Righeimer, Stephens, Mansoor, Genis
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 29th day of March, 2018.
&�dj, "
Brenda Green, dty Clerk
Resolution No. 18-20 Page 3 of 3