San Benito County weighs options regarding the county’s Encampment Clean Up Policy Tuesday

SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The San Benito County supervisors met Tuesday to discuss the county's proposed River Encampment Clean Up Policy, which included potentially adopting a Senior Admin Analyst.

According to the county, the proposed policy is an initiative to offer safe and clean public spaces the addressing encampments with an approach that includes health, safety, environmental preservation as well as support services for unsheltered individuals.

The county says that its goals with this policy is to:

• Protect the safety of motorists and pedestrians traveling on county roads and sidewalks.
• Maintain parks, sidewalks and public right of ways in clean, sanitary and accessible
  conditions.
• Protect natural resources.
• Promote general public health and safety.
• Facilitate safe and respectful clean-up of encampments and trash.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation by efficiently clearing sites.
• Prevent the accumulation of trash and unclaimed items.

Tuesday's meeting highlighted the potential need to hire a Senior Admin Analyst as a response to the county's proposed policy, although it was met with many supervisors denying the need for an additional full-time staff member.

"I cannot support another full-time position," said District 2 Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki over concerns about additional staff spending.

Kosmicki did say, however, that he is in support of a deputy sheriff patrolling the riverbed. "We don't need to have all these additional staff members," he said. "Let's just get it done. Let's prioritize this."

With Sheriff Taylor in mind, Supervisor Kosmicki advised moving forward with the program now. Additionally, he suggested renovating the conference room at the homeless shelter to add more beds.

The proposed full-time Senior Admin Analyst position would involve project and contract management and administration; personal property pick-ups from storage; interdepartmental and interagency coordination; coordination and outreach with the City of Hollister, City of San Juan Bautista and CBOs; quarterly BOS updates; preparing a homeless budget; and manage grants.

District 1 Supervisor Dom Zanger agreed that the addition of a full-time position would not help, while District 5 Supervisor Bea Gonzales pointed to the need for a more thorough plan.

"While I agree that we cannot allow the homeless to occupy spaces in a public park and the river--that becomes a health and safety issue for residents that encounter that situation--I think we've been negligent in our housing numbers availability in terms of low to moderate income, the climate, the economy...it's going to force more people into this population of unhoused," said Gonzales.

Board Vice Chair and District 3 Supervisor Mindy Sotelo raised the human component of this project, stating that consideration involving more care and compassion should be involved. She suggested involving some community advocates to the conversation.

District 4 Supervisor Angela Curro referenced a past homeless encampment that affected the community in a variety of ways. "My number one concern is the wrap-around services," said Curro. "I do fully support a full-time deputy, but the deputy is not the one doing the wrap-around services.

"Humanity is a top priority, but life safety is right up there with it," she continued.

Finally, Supervisor Kosmicki made a motion to adopt the resolution to follow staff recommendation of the Encampment Clean Up Policy, as well as to provide staff direction regarding future agenda items addressing funds and staffing needs.

It was also proposed to have this as a standing item where the supervisors meet once per month bringing back updates and looking to outside costs and collaboration with partners. Additionally, they decided not to approve the addition of one Senior Admin Analyst and instead continue research and looking into a Senior Executive Advisor.

With this, Kosmicki suggested one deputy to patrol the area as well as to amend the schedule for authorized positions. And, for staff to continue looking at alternative funding options and to renovate the homeless shelter's conference room for more sleeping quarters.

Zanger second the motion, and the Board of Supervisors passed it.

The original county Encampment Clean Up Policy with detail is available here.