BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSIONERS

DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKSCity of Los Angeles

CALIFORNIASYLVIA PATSAOURAS PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

P.O. BOX 86328LOS ANGELES, CA 90086-0328LYNN ALVAREZ

VICE PRESIDENT

(213) 202-2633MM

MELBA CULPEPPER MISTY M. SANFORD

IRIS ZUNIGA Fax: 213-202-2614flDEQ

MICHAEL A. SHULL GENERAL MANAGERERIC GARCETTI

MAYORARMANDO X, BENCOMO

COMMISSION EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT II

February 4, 2016

Arts, Parks, and River CommitteeLos Angeles City Councilc/o City ClerkRoom 395, City Hall200 N. Spring StreetLos Angeles, CA 90012

Attn: Eric Villanueva, Legislative Assistant

Dear Honorable Members:

Response to Council File 15-0887-S5

On January 22, 2016, a motion (O’Farrell-Price, CF 15-0887-S5) was introduced, requesting the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) to report on the potential use of Recreation and Parks facilities during emergencies, including information on site selection and the roll of RAP and related agencies. This item was considered in Arts, Parks, and River Committee on February 1, 2016. Staff from RAP, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the Office of the City Administrative Officer (CAO) provided a presentation concerning the proposed Augmented Shelter Program. The Committee Chair requested that RAP submit a written report prior to the item being considered by the City Council.

Per the Administrative Code (Section 5.89, Article 9, Chapter 3 Division 9), the General Manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks, is the Chief of the Public Welfare and Shelter Division. The Chief is responsible for arranging, directing, and coordinating sheltering services for persons rendered homeless as a result of a local emergency.

RAP, the Emergency Management Department (EMD) and LAHSA have identified ideal locations for the purpose of the City’s Augmented Shelter Program. These sites were selected based on existing protocols that were created during the City’s American with Disabilities Lawsuit in 2009, in identifying suitable RAP facilities to be used for emergency purposes. The selected sites will provide an additional 755 beds and were chosen based on specific amenities requested by LAHSA, such as showering and

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Arts, Parks, and River Committee Los Angeles City Council February 4, 2016 Page 2

heating capabilities. In the situation where an 80% occupancy is reached at the County’s Augmented Winter Shelter sites, the City’s proposed Augmented Shelter Program would be activated to help backstop shelter services for the City’s homeless.

When the City’s Augmented Shelter sites are activated, RAP will suspend normal operations and make immediate notifications to park patrons, program participants, as well as Council field offices, through established e-mail and telephone trees. The Department’s Public Information Officer will send out notifications through normal media and social media outlets. Wherever possible, RAP will divert programs to neighboring facilities.

The threat of an unusually harsh winter due to El Nino weather patterns has prompted City and County Officials to begin planning for various scenarios as they relate to the protection of our homeless population. The City took action late last year to extend its Winter Shelter Program by providing services earlier in the year and extending operations through the end of March of this year. The Winter Shelter Program is intended to provide additional shelter beds to the City’s existing year-round shelter program which together, account for approximately 2,500 beds. Anticipating a worse- case scenario in which our existing capacity is pushed to near maximum occupancy, the City and County began planning for additional shelter availability.

The County has set-up their Augmented Winter Shelter Program consisting of 1,100 beds across seven sites. These sites are intended to serve as the second tier of shelter services for the homeless population in the City and the County as a whole.

When the County’s Augmented Shelters are activated, EMD will convene daily conference calls with LAHSA and RAP to monitor the occupancy levels in the County’s Augmented Shelters. If and when the County’s Augmented Shelters reach 80% occupancy with sustained rainfall and overnight temperatures below 50 degrees, a recommendation will be made to activate the City’s Augmented Shelter Program. The City’s Augmented Shelters will close within eight hours of cessation of rain. EMD will monitor National Weather Service predictions and advise when shelters should close, based on weather predictions.

During City Augmented Shelter Operations, RAP will provide one facility representative and two maintenance staff throughout the duration of the activation on a 24-hour basis. RAP will also provide a lifeguard to staff the swimming pool facility that house showers, during three, 3-hour shower schedules. The facility representative will ensure all established rules are followed and provide communication between the LAHSA and RAP. Maintenance staff will provide general maintenance services throughout the

Arts, Parks, and River Committee Los Angeles City Council February 4, 2016 Page 3

facility. RAP will create a work assignment number to account for shelter activities, which will allow for submission of specific costs for reimbursement. LAHSA will provide all shelter operational needs such as staffing and logistics, through their service providers.

Upon closure of the City Augmented Shelter Site and prior to resuming normal operations, RAP maintenance staff will perform general maintenance of the facility. LAHSA will then use a contracted provider to perform a thorough disinfection of the facility. The facility will then be able to resume normal operations and make notifications to park patrons, program participants, and Council field offices.

Recommendation:That the Council receive and file this report in as much as it is submitted for information purposes.

Fiscal Impact:RAP will monitor costs associated with the Augmented Shelter Program and report through the monthly financial status report.

Since'ely,

,(p\MICHAEL A. Sm General Manager

MAS:KWR/sa

Attachments

Councilmember O’Farrell, Council District 13Jose Delgado, Office of the City Administrative OfficerKevin Regan, Assistant General Manager, Recreation and Parks

cc: