BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code ? 84308 Applies: Yes ? No ?
(If "YES" Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code ? 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Workshop on Valley Water's Approach to Addressing Encampments of Unhoused People along Waterways and on Valley Water Property.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive information and provide direction on the following topics:
A. Review of the District Act as it relates to unsheltered people in riparian corridors, and prior legislative efforts, and constitutional and legal limitations;
B. Overview of funding resources and Valley Water expenditures, policies, and efforts related to mitigating the environmental impacts of encampments of unhoused people;
C. Overview of surplus lands and the utilization of Valley Water lands to benefit unsheltered people living in riparian corridors;
D. Overview of collaborative efforts with other local municipalities and agencies;
E. Any other lawful efforts to address encampments of unhoused people along creeks and on Valley Water lands; and
F. Consider staff recommendations to address encampments of unsheltered people in the riparian corridors of Santa Clara County.
Body
SUMMARY:
At the December 13, 2022, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Board meeting, the Board Chair requested a Special Meeting to discuss Valley Water's approach to addressing the effects of encampments of unhoused people along waterways and on Valley Water property, including discussion of the District Act and legislative considerations, funding resources, current Valley Water encampment cleanup protocols, utilization of Valley Water lands, and collaborative efforts with other agencies. The growing number of unhoused people in Santa Clara County remains one of the region's most intractable challenges with social, public safety, and environmental implications. In addition to being a human tragedy, creekside encampments contribute largely to local pollution and the degradation of water quality and...
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