TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Michael Coleman, Director, Neighborhood and Community Services
THROUGH: Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: May 21, 2019
Title
LIVE FRESH SHOWER TRUCK
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to support the Live Fresh Shower Truck to continue to operate at St. Matthews Church, until such time its determined the Shower Truck is found to impact the neighborhood negatively. At this point, the City Commisison can require the Truck to cease its operation and be removed.
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Background:
At its meeting of December 4, 2019, the City Commission approved a 6-month trial period to allow the Live Fresh Truck (“Truck”) to operate at St. Matthews Episcopal Church (403 SW 3rd Avenue). The Interfaith Committee for Social Services (”Committee”) is a faith-based group that manages the program. The Committee was established to support people who are homeless in our community and are covering some of the gaps in social services that were previously being provided by the Caring Kitchen.
The Truck started its operation in January of this year and operates on Fridays between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. when lunch is being served at St. Matthews Church as part of the C.R.O.S. Ministry program. The Committee registers all clients taking showers. They have been averaging approximately 15 clients a day and have provided around 160 total showers since it started to operate. After lunch and when the showers are finished, a client is assigned to clean-up the site and surrounding area to make sure no items are left on the ground.
Neighborhood and Community Services and the Police Department have been monitoring the site and the neighborhood over the past months. To date, it appears that the Truck has not had any negative impacts on the neighborhood and no complaints have been recorded. There was one isolated case a block away from the site where a large amount of trash was found; however, the Committee is adamant that it was not from the population they have been serving. On a positive note, there are four (4) people, who after taking a shower, obtained jobs. For others, taking a shower has helped to restore some of their dignity.
Based on the above, staff recommends the City Commission support the Live Fresh Shower Truck to continue to operate at St. Matthews Church, and request the Committee work with Development Services to address any planning issues that may not have already been addressed.
City Attorney Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A
Timing of Request:
This item is sensitive as it needs to be reviewed prior to end of the pilot program in June 2019.