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Council backs Mason Street warming center for upcoming season and asks staff for broader homeless action plan
Summary
The council approved use of the former Greyhound building at 1040 Mason Street as the warming center for the coming winter season, directed staff to continue partnerships and security arrangements, and asked housing staff to develop a broader homeless action plan and return with additional briefings and a JPA update in October.
The Vacaville City Council voted Sept. 9 to designate the former Greyhound bus depot at 1040 Mason Street as the city's warming center for the upcoming cold season and directed staff to continue coordinating security, custodial services and transportation for activations. Council members also asked staff to develop a broader homeless action plan and to return with a report from the Joint Powers Authority and other stakeholders in October.
Background and triggers: Staff said the city previously used the Mason Street site for warming-center activations in two winter seasons. The triggers for activation are described in the city's extreme-weather annex: temperatures at or below 32 degrees for two consecutive days (including wind chill) or at or below 40 degrees with a forecast of four or more hours of heavy rain.
Operations and funding: Sergeant Stephanie from the Police Department outlined operational ties between the city's Community Response Unit (crew), faith-based navigators, public-works and parks and recreation staff. Council was told the city initially allocated $50,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the warming center; staff reported about $17,000 of those funds remained. Staff said community centers (e.g., McBride, Eulattice) could be used as alternatives but pose programming, security and monitoring challenges. Staff also discussed but did not recommend FEMA trailers for this season, citing cost and utility-connection issues.
Public comment and council discussion: Homeless advocates and community members urged the council to preserve the Mason Street option for the short term while the city develops longer-term solutions, and some urged stronger case-management services tied to any shelter option. Several council members called for a dedicated study session and for staff to convene a local roundtable of stakeholders (city staff, faith-based groups, advocates and regional partners) to build a comprehensive plan.
Vote and next steps: By roll call vote the council approved using Mason Street for the upcoming season; Councilmember Stockton recorded a No vote on the location (he indicated support for broader planning). Staff will return Oct. 14 with an update from the regional JPA and pursue a more detailed homeless action plan, including funding options and a recommended timeline.
Ending: Council signaled support for a multi-pronged approach: keep the short-term activation option available this winter at Mason Street while staff develops a multi-stakeholder, longer-term plan to expand services and housing-focused interventions.
