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Council approves San Diego Rescue Mission for site consultation for permanent navigation center
Summary
Council authorized a phase‑1 agreement with San Diego Rescue Mission for site consultation on a permanent navigation center, allowing operator input into site selection; staff will return for phase‑2 operational approval after site‑specific planning.
The Vista City Council unanimously approved a phase‑1 agreement with the San Diego Rescue Mission to provide site consultation services for a proposed permanent navigation center. The action begins a two‑phase process that would later bring an operator services agreement back to council for approval.
Assistant City Manager Imelda Huerta and Homeless Services Program Manager Jonathan Lung explained the project history: the council previously allocated $4.5 million from year‑end funds and an additional $1.0 million in state funding, bringing available capital to $5.5 million for a permanent, city‑owned navigation center. Staff identified several potential paths including purchase and conversion of commercial properties, hotel/motel conversions, and modular construction; Largrer examples of conversions in the region were reviewed to inform feasibility and costs.
The city issued an RFP to allow an operator to advise on site selection and design during a phase‑1 consultation before a phase‑2 operator contract would be considered. San Diego Rescue Mission submitted the only responsive proposal and outlined a 50‑bed low‑barrier navigation center model with 24/7 operations, meals, showers, storage, on‑site case management and a 30‑day initial stay for adults and families. The Rescue Mission’s proposal did not request city funding for phase‑2 operating costs, estimating about $1.63 million annually would be covered through private donations, in‑kind contributions, grants and CalAIM reimbursement; staff emphasized the council was not committing to phase‑2 by approving phase‑1.
Donnie D. of San Diego Rescue Mission spoke in support and described the Rescue Mission’s interest in relocating a regional facility to Vista. Councilmembers emphasized the city’s goal to preserve non‑congregate options where feasible and reiterated the capital budget constraint; they instructed staff to advance site consultation work and return with specific phase‑2 recommendations if phase‑1 concludes satisfactorily.
Councilmember Melendez moved to approve the phase‑1 agreement; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
