Mission Esperanza, a local shelter operator, reported to the Oroville City Council that it has started a soft opening and currently houses 10 people, with five residents under consideration to move into pallet‑style transitional shelters.

Alan Dykes, speaking for Mission Esperanza, said staff are “working the bugs out” of the new facility after a soft opening and that five residents are “slated to actually be able to move to the next level” into pallet shelters designed for transitional housing.

Public comment at the meeting included sharp criticism of shelter operations. Rhonda Magnusson, who identified herself as a longtime person with lived experience on the streets, urged the council to “shut it down” and accused some providers of not serving people properly. Other speakers thanked the council for supporting Measure H and raised unrelated public‑safety concerns that they said affect vulnerable residents.

Council members and staff discussed operational details and outreach. Councilman Johnstone asked how Mission Esperanza could be used to engage people who are service‑resistant; the chief of police and a City representative responded that the opening expands options and allows outreach teams — community and housing navigators, code enforcement and police liaisons — to show alternatives for people who want services. "It opens up the fact that there are options for these folks," the police chief said, while adding that the city cannot force participation.

Councilors and Mission Esperanza staff also discussed rules for vehicle parking at temporary shelters. Staff said residents have opted to stay inside the shelter over remaining in vehicles, and that while vehicles may be allowed to remain, insurance restrictions prohibit cooking inside RVs. Mission staff emphasized they will enforce rules intended to keep the site and surrounding streets orderly, and said they will work with the city to provide information cards and contact numbers for outreach teams.

No formal council action was taken; the report informed council members and generated discussion about coordination among shelter operators, outreach teams and code enforcement. Several council members requested ongoing updates and asked staff to continue outreach to service‑resistant populations and to provide printed contact information for referral pathways.