Local leaders hear operator pitch on safe‑parking model; council weighs code drafting

Rick Russell, executive director of Mountain View Community Development, told the council that safe parking programs combine a legal, sanitary place to park (vehicle sites) or small micro‑shelters with housing‑focused case management. “We have provided shelter for about 300 folks and our rehousing number is about 50 percent,” Russell said, adding later that “52 percent have left to permanent housing.”

Russell described program basics — quiet hours, no visitors, no drugs or weapons, limited outdoor items — and said the largest ongoing cost is case management. He outlined site types, sample setup costs, the difference between vehicle sites and micro‑shelter sites (micro‑shelters require electrical, more infrastructure) and operator agreements that range from simple MOUs with faith partners to formal leases and indemnifications with county properties. Russell said his program averages roughly $1,400–$1,500 per month per space when operating costs are averaged, with an emphasis that case management drives most recurring costs.

Councilors asked about definitions (what the program considers “permanent housing”), safety, neighbor notification and whether the city should draft development‑code language to allow safe parking. City staff said the presentation was informational and that next steps would include briefing the Homeless Partnership action plan and returning with specific city actions; several councilors signaled they were ready to start drafting code amendments if the council directs staff to proceed. No formal vote was taken on code language at this meeting.