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Home My WebLink About5-C Public CommentAnthonv Meiia From: Andrew Archdale <psscouser@yahoo.co.uk> Sent: Tuesday, November 9, 2021 8:42 AM To: Christy Holstege; Chief, CityManager; City Clerk, Christy@christyholstege.com; Dennis Woods; Geoff Kors; Lisa Middleton; Llubi Rios; Grace Garner, Jeff Ballinger Cc: rgregory@cathedralcity.gov, cityhall@cityofpalmdesert.org; richardk@ranchomirageca.gov; rbalocco@indianwells.com; eholmesindio@gmail.com; shernandez@coachella.org Subject: McCarthy Road opportunity NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Members From my previous emails to you over the last year, and your non response, we clearly disagree on many fundamentals BUT I would suggest that McCarthy road is a huge opportunity which should not be wasted, and if approached in the right way can be a huge benefit to the temporary homeless, AND the local community if certain thing are done properly. If we assume that the housing element and services provided are a gateway for the homeless to sort themselves out and to stimulate them into being self sufficient then we have the seeds of success. It should not be regarded as a permanent residence for any of the folk that stay there but as an opportunity, reiterated by staff on site, as a way to sober up, get clean, and realize a more productive path for the future for themselves. My wife and I spent many years overseas in Asia, before the pandemic hit watching observing and eventually helping folk in poor circumstances through work skills.We noticed that many many folk have basic crafting skills, with very limited tools producing fantastic objects both useful and artistic which they then sold to cover basic needs. They never begged for money, nor received any government assistance but somehow managed.When these people are then offered workshop space both the quality, production and skill levels increase and they absolutely dream of better futures for themselves from the youngest to the oldest And now to McCarthy Road. The residents of Gateway area must have local mums/ dads and grandparents that sew, woodwork, cook, paint craft etc etc but have no central organized place to teach others. This is I swear the way to bond and uplift a community, elders teaching youngsters basic skills. Lightbulb moments come on with both teacher and pupils, which can stimulate them to greater things beyond their local workshop. Ok so McCarthy road site proposal for 200 beds, reduce that to 120-150 at this site and the other space should be for workshops, workshops, workshops! Firstly a full sized kitchen with many cooktops. Teach the residents how to cook, maintain a kitchen, learn a routine. Specific class in the morning the group make their own breakfast, wash up and THEN prepare the lunch and evening meal. They learn a skill which can take them to employment in the community. Those same classes are for the local kids who get to learn the same things. House rule all in attendance have to be clean and presentable to participate, they are learning basic work rules. Clean clothes, clean hands etc etc Have a proper on site supervised laundry where skill sets are learned including ironing. Residents and locals develop pride in their appearance. ptk6 i G CD rrm.p t,,E. ITEM NO. And now to other workshops; Basic woodworking Very limited power tools. Learn all the basic joints, wood prep and repair. Most homeless carry stuff around with them with thought that they are going to use for something. Ok let's get real and see what they think they can make with their stuff. Secondly SHOW them how to up cycle ! Let's also assume that there will always be a core group within the 100 plus residents who actually do have skills from previous lives but have become "dormant". There may be many who just need the push with their former and current creative skills to get back on track. This workshop is great for local kids to participate in, keep it simple and safe! Sewing classes Again many simple things can be done, with little resource. Engage maybe a seamstress and local upholsterers to teach basic. Good for job prospects and also kids in community designers of the future! Many local businesses would donate fabric off cuts and essentials I include leather working in this section as well, for household and car upholstery, which again for a youngster in the area to be able to reupholster the family car for instance or Dads project car! Keep it simple, simple, simple. Get ideas from the local Gateway community which simple life skill classes they could engage in with both help from the elders AND the temporary homeless with skills themselves. This could be a win win for everybody if the right attitude is engaged. This is NOT just about throwing money at a site and walking away. This is about the local community around McCarthy being excited about participating in the workshop idea, to learn skills for the first time which they can use throughout their lives, AND to be around inspirational people who may have fallen on hard times but still have something to offer. This TOGETHER with onsite counseling services could lead to many positive outcomes. Finally one must also appreciate that some of the homeless will not want to participate, because they want no " rules" in their lives. Those folk must NOT be allowed to ruin a chance for the majority, tough love. The McCarthy site could become a model for others, a temporary refuge with the opportunity to regroup, recover, learn a skill and move on. For the community an opportunity for a permanent safe site where all are welcome to share skills and learn from each other. This is NOT an excuse to hire a highly paid city employee to oversee and run. All of this with the leadership of Grace Garner in her district to engage local people to help themselves in a safe space for all in the community. NO computer workshops or expensive equipment, it is NOT needed. Andrew C Archdale "You'll Never Walk Alone" Anthony Mejia From: Kathleen Weremiuk <kathy.weremiuk@icloud.com> Sent: Thursday, November 4, 2021 2:33 PM To: Anthony Mejia; Geoff Kors; Grace Garner; Christy Holstege; Dennis Woods; Lisa Middleton Cc: Kathy Weremiuk; Flinn Fagg; Justin Clifton Subject: Public Comment - please share my comments with the members of the city council NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Madam Mayor and Members of the City Council My name is Kathy Weremiiuk. I am commenting tonight on Item 5 C, Actions to Mitigate Climate Change. This plan is missing any positive mention or acknowledgement of the critical role that urban trees can and do play in the battle against climate change. In fact, the plan dismisses trees in favor of shading structures because of the fear of long term drought without providing any justification. Trees both reduce carbon city-wide and provide a shade canopy where for humans, animals, and our plant understory can thrive. Tree canopies increase walkability and reduce car usage. Other cities in Southern California have years of experience creating Urban Forests. They have successfully protected their historic and indigenous trees by requiring tree removal permits and requiring tree plans for new developments. They have planted shade trees on all of their streets to create a pedestrian walkable environment, and hired urban arborists to insure the health of their trees. We should be doing the same. Best practices have already been developed in cities like Santa Monica, Pasadena and Los Angeles among others. Palm Springs needs to include developing an Urban Forest Management Plan as part of this report. Respectfully, Kathy Weremiuk I C4 l ZO'Z t QWb!' c, Co�nm� ;i-m No. 5 Anthony Mejia From: Kathy Larsen <gr82av8@hotmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 9, 2021 4:36 PM To: City Clerk Subject: Navigation Center NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello Anthony, will you kindly circulate my email questions to the members of the citu council as well as to Greg Rodriguez and the city manager. I would appreciate a response with specifics at their earliest convenience. What demographic of individuals will these facilities serve; single men, single women, families, youth, addiction recovery? Will this be an open campus that is open to public with low barrier shelter standards? Are clients allowed on property intoxicated? (Context: closed campus requires vetting of clients and public also making it a high barrier campus due to background checks and current drug status.) Will these shelters offer day services or will clients have to leave property everyday at a set time? Will the campuses have security staff or contracted security for property perimeter during operating hours? How many full time shelter positions with benefits vs part time shelter positions with no benefits? How many employees per client ratio are you budgeting for especially in shelter positions? What training will staff receive for de-escalation, trauma informed care and safety? Is this training done prior to working? What services will the facility and case managers provide to clients? Will bus passes be provided to clients? Any stipulations on bus passes? Will Mental Health Counselors work with shelter clients experiencing mental health concerns? There will be many more questions to follow. Regards, Kathy Larsen HOA Board Vice President Palm Springs Villas II ti I ti) 24Zl ?w10 1 i c. comYr0'- ;iTEM NO, 5 G