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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2000.11.29BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA November 29,2000 1. REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER A special meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at7:00 p.m.by Mayor Joe Galligan. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by City Manager Jim Nantell. 3. THOUGHTFORTHEDAY Reverend Paul Watermulder gave the thought for the day regarding respect; respect is what separates man from the animals and the ability to disagree with care for the other person's well being. 4. ROLL CALL COIINCIL PRESENT: COUNCIL ABSENT: COFFEY, GALLIGAN, JANNEY, O'MAHONY, SPINELLI NONE 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL PERMIT TO USE AN AUDITORIUM FOR EMERGENCY/TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AT ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH,415 EL CAMINO REAL, ZONED R-3 CP Monroe referred to her staff report dated November 29,2000; Reverend Stuart Coxhead, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 415 El Camino Real, is requesting a conditional use permit in order to provide temporary/emergency overnight shelter for five homeless families with children (maximum of 14 people on site) in the church's social hall at 415 El Camino Real. These families will be housed one week at a time, six times per year; will arrive at the site at 6:00 p.m; two representatives from the church community rvill also stay overnight with the families; families depart the site by 7:00 a.m. each day. Once the families arrive on the site in the evening, they will not be allowed to leave the premises unless there is an emergency. Council Questions:.Mayor Galligan asked City Attorney Anderson if the City has any authority over what a church can do with their properties. CA Anderson noted that Congress has made a second attempt to pass a law that would make some exemptions for religious activities for local land use authority. In the first attempt, the congressional action was overturned by the Supreme Court as it violated the first amendment. The second action has not yet been tested. At the request of Mayor Galligan, Commander Van Etten reported on a number of police enforcement programs in Burlingame. There are several programs that monitor certain individuals that reside in Burlingame; a Parolee Monitoring Program, Sex Registrant Monitoring Program, and a Drug Registrant Monitoring Pro gram. November 29,2000 250 Burlingame City Council Special Meeting Mayor Galligan called on the applicant, Reverent Stewart Coxhead, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, who stated he feels IHN is a wonderful program that has been established in 80 communities around the United States over the past 14 to 16 years. The church has provided care for people who are indigent and homeless and this program is a continuation of that. Over the years, the church has sent many parishioners to Redwood City and East Palo Alto to work with Habitat for Humanity; feels getting involved with IHN is the next logical step. Reverend Coxhead noted thata six page legal summary was presented and prepared by their attorney that describes the first amendment rights for sanctuary in church's across the nation. For many decades, St. Paul's has allowed various 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous to use the facilities; cognizant of the fact that these groups might cause problems in the community because of traffic, parking, noise, etc. Former Burlingame Mayor, Gloria Barton, a parishioner of St. Paul's, has agreed to act as the Communication's Liaison with the neighbors on behalf of St. Paul's Church. Reverend Coxhead stated there have been times when he has had to ask some of the 12-step programs to leave because they had been irresponsible about the facilities or how they were relating to people. He does not fbel the church is going into the program blind; they have experience with these types of programs. With the number of volunteers, at least 50 per week, it is a larger program. Believe the traffic and noise will be less because the church has to dismiss a number of other groups that use the building so they can house the families. The Reverend feels that the program is not in somebody else' backyard, but that it's in the church's own living room. The clergy, staff, lay board and nursery school board support the program; they are very concerned that the church does not adopt any program that would harm or damage the facilities, parishioners or neighbors in any way. He stated the neighbors who have asked for statistics about police calls, etc. have some responsibility to come up with statistics on these programs across the country if they feel the program has had significant problems. Does not want to see blame put on the victims and those who are poor. There will be six-month evaluations and the church would like the neighbors to be a part of the evaluation process. Reverend Channing (Chad) Smith, Rector of Transfiguration Episcopal Church and Chair of San Mateo County Interfaith Hospitality Network, noted the conditional use permits look at the effects the program would have on the facilities such as parking occupant load. In both of these cases, there is plenty of parking and space for l4 guests to eat and sleep. St. Catherine's and St. Paul's are part of the eight congregations that make up the network used to provide overnight accommodations for the three to five families. While the day center offers technical expertise, the congregations provide community support. IHN wants to minimize the effects that children experience in becoming homeless. e, The mission of IHN is clear to provide hospitality and housing, technical assistance and community support to families in need. Also provided is training and opportunities for more than 600 volunteers to make a difference this will create a more compassionate community. IHN is grateful for the solutions that have developed as a result ,rf the conditional use process. St. Paul's has developed a neighborhood relations committee chaired by former Burlingame Mayor Gloria Barton to handle concems for any of their programs. The Burlingame Police support the program and will help train our volunteers. Megan's Law is apart of the screening process, and an annual review process with the City is built into the conditional use permit. The lease with Mills Peninsula Hospital has a six-month review schedule for the first year and an annual review process thereafter. Feels these solutions have developed relationships and an awareness of homeless families that without the process would not have happened. Burlingame City Counci!- Special Meeting 251 November 29,2000 .. ,j, .. Casandra Benjamin, the Executive Director of Shelter Network, a non-profit agency which has been serving men, women and children in this community for over l2-years, is hoping that through IHN, the churches will be able to house the families that are on their waiting list. The capacity in San Mateo is l8 families at a time and there simply isn't enough room to meet the demand. With IHN, Shelter Network will provide the initial screening and referrals. IHN will then conduct a screening of the family and explain how the rotating church shelter works. It may not work for every family, but will try to screen for families which it will be most appropriate. Although a few families will be able to stay at the shelter and then return to more permanent housing, the reality with the housing costs in the area is that most of the families will need more than a couple of weeks of care. Most will need to come into the program and spend a matter of months saving funds for security deposits, first months rent, etc. in order to get back on their feet. Ms. Benjamin explained that the issue of domestic violence is something they specifically look for in homeless families. There is not a high instance of criminal activity in homeless families, but often a number of the women come from a domestic violence situation at some point. Because this is not a "safe address", Shelter Network cannot accept anyone who's batterer is at large. Mayor Galligan opened the public hearing. The following people spoke in favor of the IHN program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church: Gloria Barton, 734 Winchester Drive; Deborah Cleveland, 304 Brentwood Road; Tom Roberts,474 Cumberland Road; John Anderson, 702 Newhall Road; Virginia Pegley, l344Yancouver Avenue; Diana Linn, IHN, lTz}ElCamino Real #7; Mary Watt, C.A.L.L. Primrose Center; Charles Mink, 1541 Los Montes Drive; Carol Mink, 1541 Los Montes; Valerie Rogers, 1117 Cortez; Christy Zwingle,TT4WalnutAvenue; Dena Zwin gle,774 Walnut Avenue; Larry Jensen, 300 4ltt Avenue, San Mateo; Skip Howi e,433 Airport Blvd. #417; Dr. Thomas Newman, M.D. 3024 Arguello; Jill Goldsmith,lTl5 Ralston Avenue; Carol Eldgridge, 415 Primrose Road. Those speaking in opposition of the IHN program at St. Paul's Episcopal Church: Steve Shive, 1525 Chapin, Jeff Krug,405 Occidental, Terri Malaspina, l5l2 Chapin, Marika Metcalfe, 401 Occidental, Claire Haggarty, 2546Bfiternut Drive, Hillsborough, Lisa Rogers, 809 Winchester Drive, Mark Metcalfe, 401 Occidental. There were no further comments and the hearing closed. Council questions: Councilwoman O'Mahony inquired about the insurance coverage for St' Paul's; Reverend Coxhead stated that the insurance agency sees the program in the same way as if there was a youth group staying overnight at the church, which is covered by the present policy. Reverend Smith rtut.d he believed the insurance is a $1 million umbrella policy, but will veriff with Mills Peninsula Hospital that the amount is satisfactoy, and agreed to increase that amount if necessary. Reverend Coxhead noted there is a five-person committee at the church that will oversee the program. The church will notify the neighbois prior to the week that the guests are scheduled to stay. He urged the neighbors to noti$ him if there is anything inappropriate going on regarding the program. Councilwoman O'Mahony stated she would like a liaison corrmittee to be one of the conditions of approval. Burlingame City Council SpecialMeeting November 29,2000 252 Council Comments.' Councilwoman Janney stated she does not feel the program jeopardizes public safety or public health in any way; feels compassion needs to start in this community. She moved to approve the conditional use permit to use an auditorium for emergency temporary housing for homeless families with children at St. Paul's Episcopal Church,4l5 El Camino Real, seconded by Councilwoman O' Mahony. Discussion on the motion: Vice Mayor Spinelli stated he understands the neighbors concerns; refreshing to see people come forward and volunteer to help those in need. Feels the program is very well thought out, the.churches and volunteers are very committed to the program. Would like to amend condition #9 to read that the conditional use permit be reviewed in six months (June, 2001) and annually, in January, thereafter for compliance with the conditions of approval, which were agreed to by Council. He stressed to the neighbors if there are any problems, to notifu the police department immediately. Councilman Coffey stated he is very proud of the community and neighboring cities for taking on this responsibility and helping those who are less fortunate than us. Feels it is important that the neighbors accept the responsibility that is being taken on by the churches and help them in any way that they can. Councilwoman O'Mahony also supported the motion; noted this has been a very trying experience for the neighbors'; ask the neighbors to work with the church and the committee if there is anything amiss with the program. Mayor Galligan noted that over 52oh of the residents of Burlingame rent multi-family unit buildings; rents have gone up 20 to 25%o over the last year; there are residents in Burlingame that can become homeless. Councilwoman Janney's motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0. b. APPEAL OF PLANNING COMISSION'S APPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO USE AN AUDITORIUM FOR EMERGENCY /TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR HOMETE SS FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AT ST. CATHERINE'S CHUR CH, 1310 BAYSWATER AVENUE ZONED C.l CP Monroe referred to her staff report of November 29,2000; this application is for a conditional use permit in order to provide a temporary/emergency overnight shelter for five homeless families with children (maximum of 14 people on site) in the auditorium on the church site at I 3 1 0 Bayswater Avenue, Zoned C-1. These families will be housed one week at a time, six times ayear, during the times when the parish school is not in session. This program is identical to St. Paul's, the only difference is this program will occur at St. Catherine's only when the parish school on the site is out of session. There will be the same number of people, they will be transported to the site via van; the program will operate from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. seven consecutive days, they will not be allowed to leave once they have arrived. Father Albert Vacinovich, St. Catherine's Church, 1310 Bayswater, is the applicant for the conditional use permit. He stated sanitation concerns previously discussed have been addressed. Screening procedures of potential families and the possible attraction.tf other homeless people were other concerns of the neighbors; he has since met with Casandra Benjamin and Michelle Jackson of Shelter Network who explained to him the screening process a.nd Megan's Law, thatg}oh of the applicants are from San Mateo County, and that they are thoroughly interviewed by trained social workers. He does not feel the program will attract other homeless people; this has not been a problem for Shelter Network in the past at their shelters. Feels the potential problems have been reasonably answered; 100 volunteers are ready to begin the program. Urged Council to approve the conditional use permit. Mayor Galligan operied the public hearing. The following people spoke in favor of the IHN program at St. Catherine's Church: Burlingame City Council Special Meeting 253 November 29,2000 Sister Maureen Hally, 151I Newlands #3, Michael Engermann, 810 Alpine Avenue, Patricia Georges, 443 Occidental, San Mateo, Janeen Culligan, 627 Plymouth Way, Reverend Paul Watermulder, First Presbyerian Church, Burlingame, Orlindo Cardelli, 343 Highland Avenue, San Mateo. Those speaking in opposition of the IHN program at St. Catherine's Church: C laire Hag garty, 2 5 4 6 Butternut Drive, Hillsborough. There were no futher comments and the hearing was closed. Council comments: Councilman Coffey felt the situation is the same for St. Catherine's Church as for St. Paul's and made a motion to approve the conditional use permit to use an auditorium for emergency temporary housing for homeless families with children at St. Catherine's Church, 1310 Bayswater Avenue; seconded by Councilwoman Janney. Comments on the motion: Councilman Spinelli requested the same condition be added to amend condition #9 to read that the conditional use permit be reviewed in six months (June, 2001) and annually, in January, thereafter for compliance with the conditions of approval, which was agreed upon by the maker of the motion, as well as the second. Mayor Galligan noted that all of the Council Members have done considerable research on their own; would like to see the program at St. Catherine's held during the school year as well as when school is out of session. Noted the number of hours spent on these issues by the Planning Commission and commended them for all their hard work. He noted he received a phone call from Safeway Stores offering to donate food for the program and would pass the information along to IHN. Councilman Coffey's motion was unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Claire Haggarty, 2546Butternut, Hillsborough, feels it was inappropriate of Mayor Galligan to suggest the program be held while school is in session. Michael Engermann, 810 Alpine Avenue, complimented the Planning Commission, the Churches, and IHN's hard work to initiate this program. Reverend Chad Smith, Transfiguration Episcopal Church thanked the Council for their comments, care and willingness to wcrk with IHN. Will McGowar,3T Lorton Avenue, commended the Council on their decision. DendZwingle, TT4WalntttAvenue, thanked the Council for all their hard work and their positive decision. 7. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Galligan adjourned the meeting at 9:39 p.m. h,7?tt*,**,,: Ann T. Musso City Clerk Burlingame City Council Special Meeting November 29,2000 254