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DATE: June 7, 2006 Consent Calendar
SUBJECT: PROPOSED TEMPORARY MODIFICATIONS TO OPERATE A
COOLING CENTER IN CONJUNCTION WITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY'S
SUMMER CRISIS PLAN TO BE HOSTED BY THE WELL IN THE
DESERT, D.B.A. THE DESERT RESOURCE CENTER.
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Department of Community & Economic Development
SUMMARY
The City has joined with Riverside County Department of Community Action to host its
Cooling Center Program, as a part of the county-wide Summer Crisis Plan, for the past
three years through the partnership of The Well in the Desert, d.b.a. the Desert
Resource Center. Also last year, the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center
and Mizell Senior Center agreed to join as a County Cooling Center to address
geographic targeted segments throughout the community.
The Desert Resource Center would continue to operate and staff the Cooling Center in
the R.G. Frey — Jaycees Community Center. This Cooling Center has primarily avoided
heat-related problems for a segment of our community that is at the highest risk — the
poor and homeless, specifically including the elderly and the infirm. The Cooling
Centers have proven to mitigate heat-related deaths and illnesses which keeps from
over-taxing an already strained emergency response and medical care system.
RE-COMMENDATION:
Direct the City Manager to modify the days and hours of operation, on an as-needed
basis, at the Dr. R.G. Frey-Jaycees Community Building for the designated Cooling
Center operated by The Well in the Desert, d.b.a. the Desert Resource Center.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
With recent unseasonably high temperatures, the Palm Springs Homeless Task Force
at their May 16th Meeting requested City Staff to pursue initiating the Cooling Center
operation earlier than usual due to the consecutive days of oppressive heat.
Item No. L . H .
City Council Staff Report
June 7, 2006 -- Page 2
Cooling Center Directive
As in the past three years, it had been recognized that it was reasonable as a temporary
measure to allow expanded use of the building during the summer months because of
our extreme heat. The proposed interim changes in the days of operation during our
three severe summer months of June through August, in the hours of operation from
8am to 4:30pm, rather than the current 8:15am to 12:15pm, and on Saturday and
Sunday with hours of 12noon —4:30pm.
The lease terms permit such revisions in the days and hours of operation under the City
Manager's scope of authority. However, recent concerns in Sunrise Park warrant
guidance from the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT: Finance Director A royal
It is estimated that the overall operational costs to implement such revisions to the days
and hours of operation for a Cooling Center would be negligible and would not have
significant affect to the General Budget.
JOH S. R OND DALE E. COOK,/JR.
ector of ( Community Development
Community & Economic Development Administrator
'HOMAS NASCU DAVID H. READY
Assistant City Manager— Development Services City Manager
CDBG06-07/CC_StaffReport_CoolingCntr M2y06