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Flores, Dora <br />From: <br />Maura Mikulec <maura@mikulec.com> <br />Sent: <br />Monday, March 01, 2021 8:05 PM <br />To: <br />eComment <br />Subject: <br />Comment on Closed Session Item #1 <br />I'm writing to express my concern about recent issues with El Centro Cultural de Mexico. As a social <br />worker I'm all too familiar with the complexities involved in homelessness. I just want to urge the <br />council to work with the center and all of their advocates on smart, realistic, innovative, <br />compassionate, and caring solutions to issues there. I'm concerned about the individuals who are <br />staying there, and what will happen to them if the city's pressure on the Center ends with their <br />displacement. And you have to know that if they are coerced to move on, not only do you cause a lot <br />of suffering, but you're just moving "the problem" to another place. Moving people along like that <br />solves nothing. And another issue to consider in regards to "the problem"...1 hope the city will be <br />mindful of environmental impacts in their actions. Displacing people like that can have unforeseen <br />environmental impacts that need to be considered as you're making decisions about how to help <br />people. <br />And really, it's unconscionable that as organizations, individuals, and even businesses are exhibiting <br />compassion and tolerance for people experiencing homelessness, the city is "going after them." I <br />know homelessness is challenging, and there are many competing priorities, but the people suffering <br />on the streets and in encampments are not the enemy, nor are those trying to help them. It is my <br />understanding that the city can access Project Roomkey funds to get many of these people into motel <br />rooms. That would benefit the motel owners, and the people who just need a roof over their heads. I <br />urge you to consider aggressively going after these funds - that sit on the table - as part of the <br />solution to the homelessness issues you're currently grappling with. <br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment. <br />Maura Mikulec, Orange County resident for over 50 years <br />