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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10 Short-Term Lease for Emergency Warming Center AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 10/16/2023 Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Staff Contact/Dept.: Niel Laudati, CMO Kristina Kraaz, CAO Staff Phone No: 541-726-3600 Estimated Time: 5 Minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Strengthen Public Safety by Leveraging Partnerships and Resources ITEM TITLE: SHORT-TERM LEASE FOR EMERGENCY WARMING SHELTER ACTION REQUESTED: Authorize the Assistant City Manager to enter into a short-term lease with the Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) for the SEDA-owned property at 765 A Street, and to enter into a sub-lease with St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County (SVdP) to facilitate use as an emergency warming shelter by St. Vincent de Paul. ISSUE STATEMENT: St. Vincent de Paul has requested that the City allow use of the “Memorial Building” at 765 A Street for an emergency warming shelter for the next winter season only. The SEDA Board approved a short-term lease to the City for use of the property for a warming center at its meeting on October 24. The City will then sublease to SVdP for an Egan Warming Center. ATTACHMENTS: 1. 2023 Letter re Egan Warming Center request to use Memorial Building DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: The property at 765 A Street was purchased by SEDA from Willamalane Parks and Recreation District for redevelopment under the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. The site previously served as a temporary emergency shelter in 2019-2020 through City intergovernmental agreement with Willamalane and 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 through agreements with SEDA. According to City ordinance (SMC 8.000-8.012), governmental buildings may serve as indoor temporary emergency shelters. Temporary emergency warming shelters are not regulated by the City’s land use regulations but must comply with Fire Code and Building Code requirements for the type of occupancy. As currently contemplated, SEDA and the City would execute a lease agreement with initial term of six months, with the option to extend for a maximum of one year. The City may then sublease the building to St. Vincent de Paul for the operation of an emergency warming shelter (Egan Warming Center). Operations, maintenance, and security will be collectively managed between City staff and St. Vincent de Paul. Utilities and minor maintenance costs would be paid by the City with any other costs associated with operating the warming center to be paid by SVdP. Due to the condition of the building, either SEDA or the City would be free to terminate the lease if extensive repairs become needed. The SEDA Board will be asked to authorize the City Manager to enter into a lease with the City on behalf of SEDA at an upcoming regular meeting. The City Council is asked to authorize the Assistant City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with SEDA and a sublease to SVdP on behalf of the City. The lease terms will be the same terms for the 2021-2022 lease that were reviewed by independent legal counsel for SEDA and by the City Attorney’s Office on behalf the City. MEMORANDUM October 9, 2023 TO: Niel Laudati, Springfield Assistant City Manager FR: Tim Black, Emergency Response Coordinator RE: Egan Warming Center request to use Memorial Building St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County once again requests City of Springfield assistance in procuring use of the Memorial Building (765 A Street) as an Egan Warming Center emergency winter shelter. We would need access to the building from late October 2023 through no later than April 30, 2024. Mitigation of Neighborhood Impact St. Vincent de Paul and our crew of dedicated Springfield volunteers are committed to working with the City, public safety and neighbors to address questions and concerns about Egan guests congregating near the Memorial Building. Just like in past years, our volunteer leaders will reach out to the neighboring businesses and apartment complexes, making a connection, providing contact information, and offering assistance if they are affected by Egan guests. Assistance may include increased volunteer patrols in the immediate vicinity, restricting shelter access for offenders, and graffiti abatement. As the St. Vincent de Paul administrator for Egan, I am committed to being personally responsive to any ideas, questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support of Egan Warming Center and your commitment to helping those most in need in our community. Attachment 1 Page 1 of 1