County reports progress readying Cherry Street site for Code Blue season; tenant cooperation helps schedule work

County staff working on the Code Blue shelter at Cherry Street reported steady progress and a timeline aimed at opening before the Code Blue season. Earl, county staff overseeing the Code Blue work, told the committee the county had reached an accommodation with the current tenant so crews can work on Mondays and Tuesdays (the tenant is closed those days) and that the tenant plans to vacate on Oct. 31. Staff said the arrangement gives about two weeks of weekday access and that the goal remains to have the building ready for Code Blue operations by Nov. 21. "We can get all those repaired and put in showers...We can do the fire alarm system installation," Earl said, adding that the county has acquired panels and devices and has electrical work scheduled with Matco Electric. Earl listed key remaining tasks: plumbing fixture replacement and repairs to make bathrooms and showers operational; fire‑alarm installation and testing; and contractor and staff work to clean and prepare the space. Staff said they had already located and reactivated three heating units and were coordinating contractors and engineers for other repairs. Committee members thanked staff for the progress report; no additional funding requests or formal actions were made during the update. Ending Staff will continue work with the tenant and contractors and expects to prepare the site for Code Blue operations on or before Nov. 21, 2025, subject to the tenant’s vacate date and construction progress.