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County outlines phased riverbed encampment cleanup; shelters, towing and pet capacity flagged as challenges
Summary
San Benito County presented results from its first-day encampment cleanup May 5 and outlined a phased plan. Staff flagged animal shelter capacity, RV removal and shelter opening times as operational challenges and sought public transparency via a web hub.
County staff presented a brief update May 6 on the first phase of a San Benito County-initiated riverbed encampment cleanup that began May 5.
RMA/operations staff member Manny Gonzalez summarized the work: staff used targeted outreach and two prior notice visits to ensure people along the riverbed were informed, coordinated cleanup timing with the City of Hollister, and started a multi-phase cleanup that will proceed south along the river. "Phase 1 consisted of the area from San Juan Bridge to State Route 156," Gonzalez said. The county's ArcGIS mapping effort is tracking encampment locations, abandoned vehicles and the services distributed to residents.
Staff reported the May 5 operation ran from about 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., identified 14 to 16 encampments and approximately a dozen people living along the riverbed. Transportation was available for pets and people; two individuals with dogs went to the shelter and two others obtained hotel placements. County staff said three people "walked away" and that, as of the briefing, four shelter beds remained vacant.
County public-information and outreach staff highlighted three operational challenges for subsequent phases: limited animal shelter capacity and potential animal-shelter fees, difficulty locating tow companies for RVs, and the county shelter's opening time (shelter opens at 5 p.m.), which leaves people waiting after early-morning removals. County staff said Pet Friends donated crates and helped with coordination, and that the county has asked Recology and the landfill to support disposal. Staff also said they applied for a potential CalRecycle grant of about $200,000 that could offset cleanup costs.
The county and the city of Hollister are coordinating closely; the city began its own notices and cleanup steps in coordination with the county. Staff said they plan to publish a public "encampment cleanup hub" on the county website so residents can see progress and what services are offered. The board thanked staff and the contractor for a compassionate, coordinated approach and asked for further updates. Supervisor Sotelo said he visited the site and praised staff for their approach.
No formal vote was required; staff asked to return to the board with a fuller report on June 10.
