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2020-04-07 Special Meeting MinutesSpecial Meeting Alameda City Council April 7, 2020 1 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY- -APRIL 7, 2020- -7:01 P.M. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft convened the meeting at 9:29 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmember Daysog, Knox White, Oddie, Vella and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft – 5. [Note: Councilmembers Knox White, Oddie and Vella were present via teleconference.] Absent: None. AGENDA ITEMS (20-216) Recommendation to Approve Recommendations on Continuation of City Operations and Compensation for Employees, Implementation of the Families Fir st Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and to Increase Vacation Accrual Caps and Other Employees Actions Related to the City Response to COVID-19. The Human Resources Director gave a brief presentation. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether the item covers part-time staff. The Human Resources Director responded many departments continue to have work for part-time staff; stated staff is not recommending the continuation of pay for part -time employees past the COVID-19 bank; there are many part-time employees that do not have work; staff recommends working with part-time employees, providing the available hours, but they can also apply for unemployment; some part-time employees continue to work in a very specialized manner and continue work. Councilmember Oddie moved approval of the staff recommendation. Vice Mayor Knox White seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Vella stated that she is ready to support the item. On the call for the question, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5. COUNCIL REFERRALS (20-217) Consider Directing Staff to Identify Funding for Four Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Trailers and Develop an Overnight Safe Parking Site for Homeless. Special Meeting Alameda City Council April 7, 2020 2 Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft made brief comments. The City Manager stated the trailers are expected to be picked up tomorrow and through the rest of the week; the FEMA trailers will be located at Alameda Point a nd will be dedicated to homeless individuals, medically at-risk, seniors, and those who fall in the medically fragile category; staff is working with partners at Operation Dignity , Building Futures and the Alameda Police Department (APD) Homeless Unit in order to locate individuals; noted safe parking for up to 25 cars is still a couple of weeks out and will be located at the Encinal Boat Launch; stated safe parking times will be open from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft concluded her comments; stated staff is working on utility hookups and staffing for the trailers; the safe parking areas are for individuals living in their cars; the parking area is not available 24 hours, but is available for overnight use and a security company will be staffing the area; portable restroom facilities, shower trucks and laundry facilities are being considered; staff is exploring the possibility of providing a safe parking location at the College of Alameda; noted Supervisor Chan has outlined County guidelines for safe parking; stated City staff has been great and has looked at guidelines from other cities safe parking guidelines; the COVID crisis makes these items urgent; the Governor has directed cities to find places to house the unsheltered because they are at high risk. Councilmember Vella expressed stated this is the right thing to do; expressed support for the item. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the trailers come to the City for free; the trailers are new and will provide a resource during the COVID crisis; and the City can use the trailers even after the COVID crisis. Councilmember Oddie stated homelessness has been a known issue for a long time; expressed support for making solutions permanent. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the first steps are the hardest; once policies and guidelines are in place lessons are learned. Councilmember Daysog requested clarification about the safe parking areas. The City Manager responded the area near the Fire training site; stated the area is fenced in and not far from the Encinal Boat Launch. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated the location is near Alameda Point and the Encinal Boat Ramp. Councilmember Daysog inquired the process for safe parking; questioned whether the operation will be on a first come first served basis. Special Meeting Alameda City Council April 7, 2020 3 Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft responded the safe spaces will be registered; stated a combination of working with Building Futures and Operation Dignity will be used with certain criteria to be followed; no Recreational Vehicles (RV’s) will be allowed; noted facilities for homeless have changed since COVID-19 and have created a separate health and safety crisis; the safe parking process will be regulated. Vice Mayor Knox White stated the trailer direction is to come back with funding ideas at some point as potentially part of the budget discussion and to continue to work on safe parking in the discussions. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired whether Vice Mayor Knox White is requesting safe parking be part of the budget discussion. Vice Mayor Knox White responded that he is que stioning the direction being provided to staff. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated direction is to develop funding for the four trailers; the trailers are free, but they do come with a need for some staff and security oversight; the overnight safe parking will require working with Operation Dignity and Building Futures. The City Manager stated the safe parking areas will have security as well. Vice Mayor Knox White inquired whether the expenses are Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funded. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft responded some is HEAP and Home Acquisition Program (HAP) funded. The City Manager stated the safe parking is part of HEAP funding. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated Oakland Mayor Schaaf announced Alameda County will receive $3 million related to the FEMA trailers; noted staff will be looking into said funding opportunity. The City Manager stated the funding has been indicated as not available for FEMA trailers; noted the $3 million funding is primarily related to the hotel project. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated funding will be pursued; noted that she has received messages related to funding for the FEMA trailers. Vice Mayor Knox White moved approval of Council supporting and encouraging staff to come back with a funding plan for the FEMA trailers and continue to support moving the parking forward with a program to be developed. Councilmember Oddie seconded the motion. Special Meeting Alameda City Council April 7, 2020 4 Under discussion, Councilmember Daysog stated that he is not in support of the safe parking aspect. Councilmember Oddie inquired whether the motion could be bifurcated. Vice Mayor Knox White expressed support for bifurcating the motion. On the call for the question regarding the FEMA trailer funding, the motion carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: Aye; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 5 . Vice Mayor Knox White moved approval of continuing to work on the safe parking. Councilmember Vella seconded the motion, which carried by the following roll call vote: Councilmembers Daysog: No; Knox White: Aye; Oddie: Aye; Vella: Aye; and Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft: Aye. Ayes: 4. Noes: 1. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired the conditions for Councilmember Daysog to convert his vote. Councilmember Daysog responded he would need more information and can discuss the issue with staff. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated questions should be directed at the City Manager. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft adjourned the meeting at 9:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance.