50A - EMERGENCY ORD - CAMPING & STORAGE CIVIC CENTER

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Emergency Ordinance: Amending and Adding New Sections to Santa Ana Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 10, Related to Storage of Property, Prohibition of Animals, Vehicle Access and Services in the Civic Center Area October 3, 2017 Page 4 The City has learned of recent media reports of Hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego and Los Angeles Counties largely attributed to homeless individuals sitting and sleeping on unclean sidewalks and streets and preparing food without proper sanitation procedures. Over the past year, resources in the immediate area have become available to assist the homeless. On October 6, 2016, the County of Orange announced the opening of a transitional center for Civic Center homeless, designated to benefit and serve homeless individuals in the Civic Center. The year-round transitional center with emergency shelter beds and, enhanced services at the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal, which was renamed 'The Courtyard", was designated by the County of Orange for those without permanent housing who have congregated in the Santa Ana Civic Center. But even these resources have not resulted in a measurable decrease in the continuing health and safety concerns raised by the large unsheltered homeless population living in the Civic Center. Health and safety conditions have deteriorated significantly in the Civic Center Area such that immediate action by City Council amending Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 10-551 and adding Sections 10-552, 10-553 and 10-554 is warranted. These ordinances are intended to address the ongoing health and safety concerns arising from unsanitary conditions, an infestation of insects and rodents, and hazardous items, all of which place the individuals temporarily living in the Civic Center, Civic Center employees, and the general public at serious risk of injury or. disease. Civic Center Outreach. Education and Enforcement: Upon the adoption of the Civic Center emergency ordinance (Exhibit 1), the Santa Ana Police Department Homeless Engagement Assistance and Resource Team (HEART) Coordinator partnered with officers from the Civic Center Patrol will engage in a week long Civic Center Outreach, Education and Enforcement campaign. The goal is to contact individuals currently storing property within the Civic Center complex and inform them of the new ordinance and the types of property prohibited within the Civic Center Complex. All individuals contacted will be advised of an upcoming power washing, which is scheduled to occur on Tuesday 10-10-2017, that will encompass the entire Plaza of the Flags area. All property will be either voluntarily removed by the owners, or if deemed abandoned, the property will be stored by Park and Recreation staff and debris and rubbish will be properly disposed. The removal of property will be properly documented by staff and captured on video via officer body worn cameras and cameras located in the Civic Center. Individuals that do not comply with the ordinance will be cited on a go forward basis.