HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01 Winter Shelter
RESOLUTION NO.2013-01
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ASHLAND TO
PROVIDE A CITY BUILDING FOR A WINTER SHELTER ONE NIGHT
PER WEEK THROUGH APRIL, 2013
RECITALS:
A. Ashland provides for emergency shelter housing in extreme weather through Resolution No.
2007-11. The resolution provides terms and conditions and policies for doing so when
temperatures drop to 20 degrees or below.
B. Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (RVUUF) and Temple Emek Shalom
(Temple) have proposed to partner with the City of Ashland to provide shelter for community
members at a City building one night per week from January through April, 2013, regardless
of the temperature.
C. The proposal includes RVUUF and the Temple providing trained volunteers to staff, manage
and clean the shelter.
D. The City is willing to provide a building one night a week on a temporary basis to
accommodate the proposal in accordance with the provisions below.
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Provision of a Shelter.
Ashland will provide shelter one night per week under the terms and conditions set forth herein.
SECTION 2. Terms and Conditions.
a. This is a temporary solution for the period January through April, 2013.
b. Prior to staffing a City-owned facility, volunteers must sign a waiver releasing the City
from liability for any personal injuries to them.
c. The shelter will be staffed by volunteers from RVUUF and Temple who are certified to
staff an overnight shelter. RVUUF and Temple must provide to the Parks and Recreation
Department written assurance that every volunteer who will staff the shelter is certified to
have completed appropriate training on the emergency plan, mental health plan and
emergency communications for the shelter and has passed criminal background checks.
d. Each night of operation of the shelter, at least one male volunteer and one female
volunteer will staff the shelter from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. An additional male volunteer
will be required when more than 10 male guests are present. More volunteers may be
required by the City depending on the building to be used. If the minimum number or
qualified volunteers are not available for the entire time, the shelter will not be opened
that night.
e. Shelter occupancy will be limited to 25 guests on a first come, first serve basis.
f. Shelter will open at approximately 7:30 p.m. and close the following morning at 8:00
a.m. Doors will be locked at 10:00 p.m. with no re-entry for any that leave.
g. City insurance requires separate sleeping space be designated for single men, women and
families. Appropriate signage must be displayed that warns against children being left
alone. Buildings must have separate restrooms for men and women.
h. Ashland Parks & Recreation will identify the building to be used and provide access.
The priority from an operational and safety perspective is Pioneer Hall, the Community
Center and the Grove, in that order.
L No showers or food service will be made available during the hours of operation.
.SECTION 3. Shelter Policies.
Operation of the shelter shall, to the greatest extent feasible, comply with the following
guidelines:
a. Shelter services must be provided with dignity, care, and concern for the individuals
involved.
b. The buildings used as a shelter will comply with City, County and State Building, Fire
and Health Codes, unless exemptions have been obtained from the appropriate agencies,
and must be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition at all times.
c. Upon entering the shelter facility each night, each guest must sign in, and sign an
agreement committing to comply with shelter rules, absolving the City and volunteers of
any responsibility for the security of the guest's personal property, releasing the City and
volunteers from all claims of liability for property damage or personal injury arising from
operation of the shelter or use of the City's building and certifying that he or she is
eighteen years of age, or older.
d. No cooking. Kitchen facilities are to be secured and access. is prohibited.
e. No drugs, alcohol, weapons or pets will be allowed in the shelter property at any time.
f. No disorderly conduct will be tolerated.
g. No threatening or abusive language will be tolerated.
h. No excessive noise will be tolerated, e.g. loud radios, telephone conversations, etc.
i. Smoking will be restricted to the outdoors in designated areas.
j. All guests should maintain their own areas and belongings in an orderly condition.
k. If a volunteer/staff member accepts any item from a guest for safe keeping at least one
other volunteer/staff member will witness the transaction.
1. Failure to comply with shelter policies may disqualify a guest(s) from future stays.
in. The check-in/check-out process shall be maintained by the volunteers sufficient to ensure
a control of the premises and exiting by guests at 7:30 a.m. to allow cleaning before
closure at 8:00 a.m.
SECTION 4. This resolution takes effect upon signing by the Mayor.
This olution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this -I day of January, 2013, and takes
eff upon signing by -Mayor.
C/
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this day of January, 2013.
Jo Stromberg, Mayor
R e*ewed as to form:
vid H. LArn ity Attorney