HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/1/2005 - STAFF REPORTS (17) 1
City Council Staff Report
1
DATE: June 1, 2005 New Business
i
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 AND EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY SERVICES, D.B.A. THE
i
DESERT RESOURCE CENTER.
I
i
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
two years through the partnership of The Well in the Desert and Episcopal Community
Services, d.b.a. the Desert Resource Center. Also last year, the James O. Jessie
Desert Highland Unity Center, Mizell Senior Center and The Family YMCA of the Desert
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.
RECOMMENDATION:
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 and Episcopal Community Services, d.b.a.
the Desert Resource Center.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
With recent unseasonably high temperatures, the Palm Springs Homeless Task Force
at their May 17th Meeting requested City Staff to pursue initiating the Cooling Center
Item No. 5 . 6 .
City Council Staff Report
June 1, 2005 -- Page 2
j Cooling Center Directive
I
operation earlier than usual due to the consecutive days of oppressive heat. A follow-
up request came directly from The Well in the Desert on May 23ra
As in the past two 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:
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.
4e �1
J HN S. RAM ND DALE E. COOK, JR.
Dir of Community Development
Community & Economic Development Administrator
David H. Ready, City Manager
CDBG05.06/CC_StaffRepo rt_Coo I i ng Cntr.26May05