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Home My WebLink About2003-12-02; City Council; 17395 part 2 of 2; Action on Farm Worker ShelterThe Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Task Force 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Minutes of Planning Meeting Held on July24,2003 Meeting was opened by Patti Hamic-Christensen who welcomed attendees and introduced the Committee. Chairperson Patti Hamic-Christensen gave a brief summary of the history and progress of the Task Force to date. Indicated that the Task Force had moved the date to take the feasibility study to the City Council until September 9,2003. Pat Getzel gave a brief summary on the progress and activities of the Site and Structures Committee. Pat stated that it was likely that the Committee would propose a multi site plan with 25 to 75 beds at each site. Reviewed the Site Review assessment matrix with an explanation of the rational for each of the sites that had been reviewed by the Task Force. The Committee had met on several occasions to complete the Site Review matrix and had met with City safety and building staff to review each site for development feasibility. The input fiom these meetings was a substantive part of the matrix. The committee placed the sites in order of owner interest and development feasibility. The committee had also considered different types and sources of modular housing. Pat passed around a picture of one of the most likely sources for the modular housing if the project is approved to move forward to the development phase. There were at least 25 farm workers in attendance at the meeting. A spokesperson for the Migrant Outreach Program stated that these where the faces of those that would benefit from this program. The meeting was opened for public comment. Residents from the Shorepointe and Shorepointe Home Owners Association expressed their concerns and opposition to placing the temporary farm worker housing at the Laurel Tree Lane site. Many Shorepoint residents supported the need for farm worker housing but felt that a more appropriate location should be found. There concerns focused on the safety of their children, of seniors and on the potential negative effect on their property values. Several Shorepointe residents did not support housing for farm workers at all. There were many other residents who voiced their view and support for farm worker housing and for the most appropriate site for the housing. Support for farm worker housing ranged from the need to treat farm workers humanly to supporting a segment of the population who provide a valuable economic service to the community. During the public comment time many residents supported the notion of having the housing placed on at least one of the city sites. Community Support Committee reported on the meetings members had presented to. The committee finalized a script for public speaking opportunities. Their next meeting was to be scheduled at a later date. The July 24,2003 meeting is the last scheduled meeting of the task force. If the City Council approves the feasibility study and moves to develop the housing, the task force will be reconvened. Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study D. List of Committees and Members Community Housingworks Pat Getzel Pat Getzel& Associates 645 Front Street, #706 San Diego, CA 92101 Fiuclphone: 6192958929 patgas-x.net Michael J. Holzmiller Planning Director Planning Department 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 Phone: 760-602-4601 Fax 7606024558 mholz@d.carlsbad.ca.us Michael Peterson Development Services Building Department 1635 Faraday Avenue Cadsbad, Caliiomii92008 Phone: 760-602-2721 Fax 760602-8558 mpete@ci.car!sbad.ca.us Don Parent Public ARairs Manager SDGE 8330 Century Park Court, CP31D San Diego, CA 92123.1530 Phone: 8!%6!m5149 Fax: -34 Dparent@SempraUtilities.com Robert W. Garcin Vice Presider#General Counsel Lennar Corporation 5780 Fleet Street, Suite 310 Carlsbad, CA 92008 Phone: 760-918-7760 Fax: 760.476-2795 Bob.garcin@~ennai.cm Thomas Baber Adams Consulting 1902 Wright Place, Suite 200 Carlsbad, CA 92008 Phone: 760-918-5520 Thomas@acei-west com Patti HamioChristensen Resident Services Director Community HousingWorks 1820 South Escondido Blvd. Suite 101 Escondido, CA 92025 Phone: 760-432-6878 ext.309 Fax 7604324883 phc@communityhousingworks.org Craig D. Ruiz Management Analyst Housing and Redevelopment 2965 Roosevelt Street, Suite B Carlsbad, CA 92008-2389 Phone: 760-434-2817 Fax 760-720-2037 cruiz@d.carlsbad.ca.us Dorothy Johnson Attorney At Law California Rural Legal Assistance 215 South Coast Highway, Suite 201 Oceanside, CA 92054 Phone: 760-966-051 1 Fax 760-966-0291 djohnson@CRLA.org Thomas E. Maddox Senior corporate Counsel Lowe's Companies, Inc. 1530 Faraday Avenue, Suite 140 Carlsbad, CA 92008 Phone: 7608065300 extension 216 Fax 760-602-8421 tom. e. maddox@lowes.com Peter MacKauf Leslie Fans 1205 Aviara Parkway carlsbad, CA92009 Phone: 619-548-7267 simmcal@aol.com Gary BaMo gbarb@a.carlsbad.ca.us Cily of Carlsbad Carl-, CA 92008 760-602-46m James Fleming SharFleming@msn.com Steve Ahlquist 2989Via Marta Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-801-3297 Steve@w&ankam Anna Maria Hqle Derek Solarman Program Developers/Certied Instructors P.O. Box 2581 Escondido, CA 92033 anna@lascasitas.org Dereksolaman@lol. com Wants to be Kept Informed of Committee Adions Sherilyn Sarb, District Manager California Coastal Commission San Diego Coast District 7575 Metropolitan Drive suite 103 San Diego, CA 921084402 Phone: 61 9-767-2370 Fax 619-2384 ~coastal.ca.gov Alflwo lbarra WC Aibarra@maacprojed.org Michael Wtschkaemper mwisch@pacbell.net The Carlsbad Farm Worker Housing Task Force Community Support & Funding Members Sub Committee Members Patti Hamic-Christensen - Community HousingWorks - Chair phc@,communityhousingworks .org (760) 432-6878 Ext 309 Paul Thompson - Callaway Golf 760.930.5292 pault@,callawavnolf. com Janet Hebert - Callaway Golf 760.93 0.5290 janeth@callawawolf. com Lance Vollmer, Ph.D.-Bill Horn lance.voIlmer@,sdcounty.ca.gov 760.806-241 1 Michael Wischkaemper- Law Office mwich@pacbell.net 760.438-1222 Evi Quin - St. Patrick’s Catholic Church evia @,cs. - com epreciado@ccdsd.org Edgardo Preciado, Director, La Posada 760.434.3 7 10 760.929-2322 Katie Wheeler - Pilgrim UCC 760.730.3527 katiewheeler@,nctimes.net Derek Ensminger, Las Casitas solarman@locosol.com Cathy Blecki - Aviara Community 760.603 293 0 cblecki@pacbell.net Eric Larson - Farm Bureau 760.745.3023 eric@,sdfmnbureau.org Mary Ann Pollock - National League of Women Voters 760.753.093 1 marydavepollock@,aol.com Eddie LaMeire - Student SDSU 909.587.8278 elameire@,ucsd. edu Barbara Perrigo - Ecumenical Migrant Outreach 760.942.940 1 cell 619.709.9803 bmardiffc@cs. com Liz Kruidenier - LWW NCSDC 760.944.7417 liznandv@mindsurinn.com The Carlsbad Farm Worker Housing Task Force Farm Worker Input & Support Members Sub Committee Members Angie Valencia - Vista Community Clinic - Chair 760.407.1220 ext. 162 angie@,vistacommunitvclinic.org Jose Gonzalez - Frente Indegena Oaxaqueno Binacional chashoo @,hotmail .com 760.945-67 12 Eddie Preciado.- Catholic Charities La Posada epreciado@,ccdsd.org 760.357-0894 Julie Watts, Ph.D. - Center for Comparative Immigration Studies juliewatts@,sbcalobal.net 858.342-8973 Todd Ratzesberger toddr@,intergate. corn 760.720-0773 Barbara Perrigo - Ecumenical Migrant Outreach 760.942.940 1 cell 6 19.709.9803 b.pcardiffc@,cs.com 0 i 1 I 1 1 3 : i I 3 a i E 0 1 1 5 2 I b 0 1 1 0 3 I 1 2 3 : E i I I i i !! 5 0 3 1 J E ! i t I E i OD 0 ln U 8 P m - c a & f U B :: - d m s c d al P n Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks E. Newspaper Articles concerning the Issue JULY 31,2003 THE COAST NEWS A9 Onlv 89 beds available J BY RAAM WONG Staff Writer CARLSBAD - Amid Napa Valley’s rich, fertile wine grape fields, 300 migrant pickers pay a small sum to live in permanent housing complete with beds, showers, laundry and three meals a day. Throughout the city of Carlsbad, nearly twice that num- ber live in shacks made of ply- wood and tarps in the canyons around the agricultural fields that employ them. A city-spon- sored task force has been work- ing to change this. But in studying the feasibili- ty of housing 150 migrant farm workers, the task force has had to come to terms with one fact: Carlsbad is not NapaValley. In Napa, and other agricul- tural areas north of here, the farmers themselves typically own their land, vast expanses of farm fields stretching as far as the eye can see. The opposite is true in Carlsbad where companies like SDG&E lease their land to farm- ers at least until it can be sold off for commercial or residential development. In fact, the city - anticipates that all of the agri- migrant farmworkers, the task culturallandin the community, force announced at its final with the exception of the flower meeting on July 24 that only a fields, will be under develop- little more than half that nu- ment within the next five to ber may be feasibly housed, at least while adhering to the City Council directive that only pri- vate property be considered. Nine potential sites were identified during the four month Largely due to a lack of two locations appear to have a into a shelter, according to Pam Community Housing Works, the nonprofit that spearheaded the study. Catholic Charities has expressed strong interest in adding 25 additional dormitory- style beds specifically for farm workers to La Posada de Guadalupe, a homeless men’s shelter on Impala Avenue. As part of the project, its yy commercial kitchen would be residents and to deliver meals to a second site. Since La Posada is a long- established shelter with ade- seven years. quate screening, adding beds Moreover, while in rural would likely not face the same Napa, farmworker housing can opposition from nearby be built with relative ease, it‘s (lirrn to ~~d~, A23) exceedingly difficult to squeeze - such a shelter into urban Carkbad. As a result, in order to devel- op a shelter on a particular site, the city must win the approval of the property owner and attempt to address concerns of nearby residents such as safetv, screen- ing and a shelter’s impact on property values. “This is my country; this study. is not their c 0 u n t w. I ’ m property owner interest, only good chance of being developed . . pay i ng Hamic-Christensen, director of $2,000 for my mortgage while they’re ... paying $2, upgraded to serve the additional - JIM CURRAN, RESIDENT 89 Beds Charged with assessing the possibility of sheitering 150 . .. THE COAST NEWS land - might be better suited. “We are expected to give up our equity in our homes yet the city is unwilling to give up city owned land that wouldn’t affect anyone’s equity,” Neeleman Said. City, farm sites Two city-owned sites were identified by staff - at the Safety Center and the yet to be devel- oped Veterans Memorial Park - but aren’t seriously being con- sidered by the task force. The reason is that when the City Council approved a feasibility study in February’ it said it was seeking a community-based solution, without the use of city propew- “The council didn’t want to pursue any aty-owned sites. It wanted a publidprivate partner- shp,” Getzel said. Other identified sites in the strawberry and flower fields were deemed to be uninhabit- able due to state and federal reg- ulations that require dweUings to be several hundred feet from the soil fumigation process that prepares the fields for planting. “It‘s not an option to place housing in those fields,” said Eric Larson, executive director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau. With the exception of the extra beds at La Posada, the farmworker housing will be tem- porary, consisting of modular units that can be removed when no longer needed “It’s projected that in the next five to 10 years agricultural land in the city of Carbbad will be diminishing,” Hamic- Christensen said. For this reason, the feasibili- ty study will advocate a multi- site plan for the shelter, instead of attempting to house all 150 workers at one location. That way, housing sites could be taken offline once the develop- FILE PHOTOGRAPH AT WORK: Farmworkers gather by the strawbeMy fields in Carisbad. ment of farm land no longer necessitates its use and the shel- ter’s impact on a community would be minimized. The report is expected to go before the council for considera- tion Sept. 9. Contact Carisbad reporter Raam Wong at wong@thecoastnews. corn. Farmworkers housing- pian in Car€sbad -focuses on 2 sites TIM MAYER- .- dehew to a second site. %4FF WRITER Craig Ruiz, a management analyst with the city‘s Housing and Redevelopment Depart- CARLSBAD - Members of- - ment, said the Laurel Tree site a city task force that has been meeting since April to study the possibility of building tem, porary housing for homeless farmworkers in Carlsbad said Thursday that they will recom- mend two sites to the City council. Consultant Pat Getzel of Es- condido-based Community HousingWorks said one is the existing 1-acre homeless shel- ter known as La Posada de Guadalupe, which has been owned and operated by Catholic Charities for more than a decade. The second site is a 1- to 2- acre vacant property on Laurel Tree Lane directly across Avian Parkway from an agri- cultural packing house operat- ed by Leslie Farms. Community HousingWorks is a nonprofit, low-income housing developer retained by the city to head up develop- ment of a farmworker housing feasibility study authorized by the council in Februq. A final report is tentatively scheduled to be delivered to the council Sept. 9. Getzel said the 50-bed La Posada shelter, in an industrial park on Impala Drive east of El Camino Real, codd be ex- panded to serve 25 more men. Its kitchen could also be ex- could have room for portable buildings to provide shelter, showers and sanitation facili- ties for 50 to 70 men. The council authorized the feasibility study after they were approached by farm- worker, advocates, who said there is a desperate need to find housing for 400 to 500 homeless workers in the city. Carlsbad has been criticized for ordering the destruction and cleanup of the rag-tag ille- gal camps set up by the work- ers in the winter. Officials estimate that the “temporary” housing will be needed for the next five to sev- en years, by which time agri- culture is expected to be most- ly wiped out by residential and commercial development. The city study started with the assumption of finding a single site for a legal camp somewhere in Carlsbad, said Patti Hamic-Christensen, resi- dent services director for Com- munity HousingWorks. But it soon became obvious multiple sites would be prefer- able for several reasons, she said. The first is smaller sites with fewer men per project would have less impact on sur- rounding areas. ‘(The second is that the awi- panued to :>repare neais for me 5 zt-attereu xes. o weas tryigg to get proximity (to the work),” she said. Stud- ies have shown many of the workers walk or ride bicycles to theiarms Another is that as agricul- ture begins to fade out, the sm-aller camps could be shut dowiin phases. Eddie Preciado, manager of La Posada and department di- rector for Catholic Chanties Homeless Men’s Services, said his organization is willing to expand its shelter, but will need help to pay the addition- al operating costs. “We are there already. We are already providing services (and) adding 25 beds would be great, but we don’t have the fundug right now,” he said. Preciado has said cuts in federal and state grants for homeless housing and emer- gency shelters have left La Posada’s $209,000 budget for this fiscal year more than $100,000 in the red. Hamic-Christensen said Community HousingWorks is already investigating possible ways of financing for the La Posada expansion and the Lau- relTree Lane site. Getzel said the task force looked at and rejected sev- en other sites for a variety of reasons, including opposi- tion by landowners or from neighboring residents, de- velopment costs, public visi- bility, or difficulty in provid- ing access for emergency ve- 3me-s - 0 N 8/ wn N 3' 3 - yr C C P T P " I. I. c - N bNDANGEED SANCTUARY PhOtOS by 61U WECm / sT.4FF h1TiX;RAPHER Hector Munguea relaxes after work on his bed at La Posada de Guadalupe. The W, year- round shelter was established in 1992 through a coalition composed of Carlsbad, a nonptofit grasstoots organization known as the Caring Residents of Carlsbad, and Catholic Charities. La Posada shelter works to serve homeless workers TIM MAYER ST.4FF WRITER CARLSBAD -While the debate con- tinues over what to do about farmwork- ers and other homeless across North County, high on a hill in eastern Carls- bad, the La Posada de Guadalupe shel- ter for men continues to quietly do its work - a work which may be threat- ened by the economy. One afternoon late last week, men of all ages began trickling back from work, job hunting or searching for apartments they can afford. Showered and in clean clothes, they scattered themselves around the heavi- ly landscaped, spotless 1-acre com- pound. Some sat quietly and chatted outside in the shade, while others rest- ed on their beds until dinner or used the pay phone to apply for jobs. “We’re all homeless,” said Edward Sawyer, 64, a disabled former welder, ironworker and construction worker who sought shelter whde he applies for government-assisted housing. “This gives us a place to sleep, iood, an oppor- tl1nity to go 1 I1 work. * SHELTER, 8-7 Francisco Araujo talks of getting help at La Posada de Guadalupe on Wednesday. Elghty percent of residents at the shelter have found full-time emproyment, illostly in area factories. :., .. ,. __._ , . . . .. . . . - BILL WECHTER / STAFF PWCSTOC;RAPHER Joaquin Blas, program manager at La Posada de Guadalupe, right, on the grWnds Wednesday. “We are looking for help. We are looking for prayers. But most of all, we are looking for wallets.” Carlsbad officials said La Posada is proof a shelter can be beneficial if it is in the right location and run by the right people. “Catholic Chanties does a marvelous job,” said Mayor Bud Lewis. “Certainly, they (shelters) can be successful when you have organizations working together.” When the shelter first opened, Councilwoman Ann Kulchin said, “the concern was they had a center like hs over in Escondido, and it did- n’t work out. But this one from day one has been a perfect center for men. We’ve never had any problems there, and it‘s just a wonderful place for men to go and stay and know that they are safe.” Members of Caring Resi- dents of Carlsbad said they are constantly looking to mise money, as well as donations of food, clothing and other items for the shelter. “We are always looking for funding,” said Kathleen Dunn Wellman, former president and a founder of the organiza- tion. LcAnyone who wants to join, they are more than wel- come. It’s just a matter of rolling up their sleeves and helping. Anything they can come up with that is creative. ‘‘Talking with the guys out there, whether they are sup- porting families, or getting a decent job, or saving money so they can get an apartment, that’s the part that makes you feel good,” she said. One reason the shelter has been successful is that it oper- ates under strict rules, Well- man said. Strict rules enforced for residents One rule is that absolutely no drugs or alcohol are al- lowed, said Joaquin Blas, the shelter program director for more than five years. “They must be here to sleep every single nighr,” he said. “They are homeless. This is their home, and this is where they should sleep.” Curfew and lights out are at 9 p.m. Lights come on at 4:30 a.m. The men must leave by 7 a.m. to begin searching for work and housing. They cannot return until at least 3 p.m. They must keep them- selves clean and make their beds. And they must complete a daily list of chores including sweeping, raking, cleaning, and looking after the land- scaping. “This is their home, and they take care of their home.” Blas said. In return, the men are served two hot meals each week day, three meals per day on weekends, all prepared in the shelter kitchen. They also receive medical care through the Vista Com- munity Clinic, job referrals through the nearby city-spon- sored hiring center and a pri- vate employment agency. On- site English classes are taught through MiraCosta College; Alcoholics Anonymous meets twice-weekly on site; health education is available through the Vista Community Clinic - and North County Health Ser- vices; free HIV and tuberculo- sis testing is available; there is help in filling out job applica- tions, and more. The result has been that about 80 percent of residents at the shelter over the years found full-time employment, mostly in area factories. The remaining 20 percent are short-term visitors who may take advantage of the shelter for as little as a day, and some are “those who won’t‘ follow the rules,” he said. And Blas said the shelter‘s operators want to expand services - if someone will do- nate computers and programs - to include computer and Internet training and access for job searches and educa- tionaI programs. Said resident Jose Arteado, “I want to say thanks to this place for giving me a chance to stay.” The 51-year-old former golf instructor said his downfall was drugs and alcohol, but he has been finding work in roofing, construction and painting. “Here I learn something new every day. That changed my life. It‘s never too late to change.” To contact Caring Resi- dents of Carlsbad, call Presi- dent Ursula MonacoSweeney at (760) 729-3615 or Dunn Wellman at (760) 929-0767. Those wishing to contact the shelter may call (760) 929- 2322. Contact staff writer Tim Mayer at (760) 9014043 or ?mayer@nctimes.com. r 4; h 3 c Ranch dropped as migrant housing site - 07/03/03 - NCTimes.net Page 1 of 3 Our Best Links Pxexkuus Story 11 This Date's Headlines 11 Nex-t Story 7/3/03 Keyword Search 7 Ranch dropped as migrant housing site TIM MAYER Staff Writer CARLSBAD ---- A city task force seeking a site for a possible farmworker housing shelter has dropped a 400-acre area known as Robertson Ranch from the list of candidates because of angry opposition from surrounding residents. "There was just tremendous opposition to it," said Craig Ruiz on Wednesday. An analyst with the city's Housing and Redevelopment Department, he has been working with the task force to complete a feasibility study of the farmworker housing plan. "We are working on a short time frame to complete the feasibility study and it would take a lot of effort to move forward with that proposal" because of the opposition, Ruiz said Wednesday. "We thought a better use of our time would be to look for other sites that would be more accepi <q Ti-Gtv Medical Center www.tricityrned.org :ed by the community." The City Council in April gave the OK for the study to see if it would be possible to build a farmworker camp somewhere in Carlsbad to house 150 men who work on local farms. Portable buildings would provide shelter, cooking and sanitation facilities. Officials estimate that 1 to 2 acres would be needed. Since April, the city-appointed task force made up of representatives from local businesses, churches, farms and migrant advocates has been studying the issue with the goal of returning to the council with a recommendation this summer. But when word surfaced that Robertson Ranch east of El Camino Real and south of Tamarack Avenue was one site under study, opposition and protest exploded. Residents from surrounding neighborhoods turned up at Planning Commission and task force meetings in June, saying a labor camp anywhere nearby would drive down property values. They also asserted the migrants would be a danger to area neighbors and their children. http://www.nctimes.net/news/2003/2003 0703 /6 1 826. html 07/03/2003 Ranch dropped as migrant housing site - 07/03/03 - NCTimes.net Page 2 of 3 Many said they were convinced that the camp would be a haven and attraction for illegal immigrants. "The real crux ... is that these are illegals," said farmworker housing opponent Sheridan Quinn. Quinn said she was elated when she received a notice this week that Robertson Ranch will not be used for the camp. "I was so delighted to get this," she said. "I walk in the evening with my dog and I see these folks walking up from the fields and it is frightening. I don't want hundreds of illegals in our neighborhoods. 'I But Ruiz said illegal immigrants would not be allowed and that only U.S. citizens or legal residents and workers would be using the housing if it is built. Farmworker advocates on Wednesday said the housing would improve the situation for fmworkers and the community, and were puzzled by the opposition. "I don't see why people should be so upset about having housing for these men," said Barbara Perrigo, co-founder of the nonprofit Ecumenical Migrant Outreach. "If they have a place to go, if they have a place to stay, they wouldn't be loitering on the streets. They would have a safe place to go." Said Socorro Anderson of Congregations for Civic Action: "It's the same old thing. 'It (fmworker housing) is a great idea, but not in my back yard.' What can you do about it? Unless people start changing the way they think about the less-fortunate ... we just have to deal with it. "I don't know what people think when they sit at the dinner table, if they think where their food comes from. I' Ruiz said the task force is continuing to examine potential sites in the city for a report to the council in August. "We are just trying to find options where it may work," he said. "We are not saying it will go one place or another." The farmworker housing task force is scheduled to next meet at 6 p.m. July 10 in the city's Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave. Contact staffwriter Tim Mayer at (760) 901-4043 or tmayer@nctimes.com. Previous Story 11 This Date's Headlines 11 Next Story Send to a fiiend - enter e-mail address: http://www.nctimes.net/news/2003/20030703/6 1 826.html 07/03/2003 JUNE 26,2003 THE COAST NEWS Farmworker Continuedfrom A 7 Carlsbad Mobile Home Park to use the site for RV storage. The bulk of the 403-acre Robertson Ranch was rezoned for the development of a ‘planned community. This step allows the drafting of a new mas- ter plan to begin. In 2001, the Robertson fami- ly sold a 183.3-acre parcel of the land, approximately half the ranch, to Corky McMillin Companies. Heated meeting The morning after the com- mission met, approximately 20 residents appeared at the Carlsbad Temporary Housing Task Force meeting to loudly protest what they alleged was the citfs concealed steps to place farmworker housing in their neighborhood. While once an opportunity for task force rnembem to share information on potential sites and structures, farmworker involvement, community sup- port and funds development, the meeting was dominated by the vocal residents. “I have watched them uri- nate and defecate on surround- ing property and throw their empty beer and liquor bottles on my property and surrounding areas” Fleming said. “Now you want to put a place for them to party across the street from me?” ~ After frequent problems with drunks on his doorstep and a man peeping into his home, Fleming said he was forced to train his family to use afirearm. Other residents spoke of problems of me, drunkenness and violence. Some said they could no longer allow their chil- dren to walk to school or to the nearby Old Country Store. ‘Wy interest is seniors, and there are a lot of seniors livmg in the area,” sad area resident and Residents rage agamst farmworker *. housmg site BY RAAM WONG Stag Writer CARLSBAD -As a task force continues to evaluate different locations for the placement of temporary migrant farmworker hous- ing, approximately 20 resi- dents living near one of the sites under consideration have begun clamoring, “Not in my neighborhood.” “All the crap Pve had to put up with with those ille gal aliens is unbelievable,” said James Fleming, who lives across the street from the Robertson Ranch, which is east of El Camino Real, approximately across from the Old Country Store. Fleming alleged that the concentration of workers into modular homes on the property would only com- pound the problems he and his neighbors already have with illegal immigrants working and living near them. ‘ ‘TU be damned if I have an illegal alien living across the street from me,” he said. Planning Commission Confusion Though the task force has been meeting monthly in an effort to create housing for 150 homeless migrant farm workers, until now it seems to have fallen below the radar of most residents. But a June 18 Planning Commission agenda item led some residents to believe that the city was quickly and secretly working to place the housing in their neighbor- hood The controversy cen- tered on the rezoning of a 5.7-acre parcel of land from a Limited Control designation to a Residential Mobile Home F’ark zone. However, the item which the commission approved unanimously was actually unrelated to migrant farmworker hous- ing, according to city plan- ning director Michael Holzmiller. “It was just to setup zon- ing for the master plan,” Holpniller said. ‘7t doesn’t have anything to do with the housing.” The rezoning would potentially allow the Rancho 1 (Turn to Farmworker A24) Senior Commission member Art serrin. Some residents questioned the necessity of providing hous- ing at all. “I spent two years liv- ing outdoors in Vietnam. It can be done,” said resident Jim Spangler. Residents said they feared that the Robertson Ranch site was being favored because the time it would take to develop it would be significantly shorter than the sites in the Coastal Zone that require the Califoinia Coastal Commissions approval. But task force members said they‘re only in the preliminary stages of studying the feasibility of opening farmworker housing, a mission they were charged with by the City Council in February. All of the residents’ atten- tion to the Robertson site, while understandable, may be prema- ture, as it is only one of three ered, task force commission members said. Discussions have yet to even begin with the Robertson famdy, Holzmiller said. “We have not even looked at a specific location.” According to Ken Cablay, the Robertson family% represen- tative, it‘s too early to determine what the land would be used for. ‘‘The family hasn’t even focused on this issue,” he said. Furthermore, there’s the possibility that in the end the task force may not even recom- mend a migrant shelter. The average, total, combined family income of Carlsbad agri- culture workers is $7,937 per according to a 2003 survey of 155 farm workers in the city. As a resulq any rent that workers would pay wouldn‘t likely cover the cost of operating and main- taining the housing, meaning that other funding sources would have to be found to pick up the tab. ‘‘If we can‘t find a solution to operating [the housing], we won’t recommend the project to the City coUn&y said task force consultant Pat Getzel. Still, residents allege the city has not been forthcoming about the task force meetings. “I didn’t know a damn thing about the committee,” Senin said But the task force has received regular cavexage in the newspapers. said Path Hamic- Christensen. director of Communxty I3ousmg 3”rics, &e non-prorit youp rhar‘s spear- locations currently being COI1sid- heading the study. “This is not a public work- shop meeting,” Debbie Fountain, city redevelopment and housing director told the residents. Once there’s a proposal on the table, the public would be invited to offer input during workshops and a council hearing, she said. Fountain invited the resi- dents to become involved in the study process by joining one of the task force’s three subcommit- other sites, considerations The conventional wisdom seems to have been that the placement of the housing would be the simplest and dckest at the Robertson Ranch, due to its being outside the Coastal Zone, and not subject to the expected three- to six-month Coastal Commission review. But during preliminary meetings with commission staff, no major concerns were raised. ‘We met with Coastal Commission staff. Thefre pretty supportive of farmworker hous- ing as a use,” Holzmiller said. There are as many as 600 homeless migrant farm workers currently living in shanty towns in Carlsbad, according to one estimate. The task force is looking to put the housing in proximity to where some of them work Another location currently under consideration is near the strawberry fields operated by Leslie Farms. The location lies approximately 1,000 feet off Cannon Road near Agua Hedionda Lagoon, east of Paseo Del Norte. The land is currentfy being leased by the city hm San Diego Gas & Electric as open space. Because of its location beneath a bluff, the location also provides good screening from major roadways, Hohdler said. Intermittently the property is used as farmland, meaning that it is devoid of any environmen- tally-sensitive habitat and is somewhat level, two factors which may expedite the hous- ing‘s construction. But an SDGsiE E--- tive expressed reticence about the location. The company is loow to sell the property to a aeveioper and is concerned mth &e encumbrance of the land aunng its marbum. tees. A third site-on Aviara F’arhy, near Palomar Airport Road was evaluated during a previous meeting to be too small to house 150 workers. However, the task force is now looking to reduce the scope af the modular units at any one site to accom- modate ody between 40 and 75 tenants. ‘7t‘s not efficient to have 150 on one site,” Geizel said. As a result, the Aviara par- cel, which is approximately two acres, is back on the table. A potential problem with the site discussed during previ- ous meetings, however, may be screening the modular units from the road Getzel . said the housing- wodd likely need to indude access for transportation and emergency personnel, an eating facility, restrooms and a small recreational area. Hamic-Christensen said she hopes to have a proposal to the council some time in July The next task force meeting will be July 10 at 10:30 am. at the city‘s Faraday Cent-, 1635 Faraday Ave. Contact- Carlsbad reporter Raam Wong at wong@thecoastnews.com. 2 The San Diego Union-Tribune I NORTH INLAND I Thursday, June 26,2003., Community Housing Works said yesterday the dedsion was made because of oppositios will study other sites. Still u11- der consideration is property leased &om San Diego Gas & NORTH Cow T~rvr~s FRIDAY, JUNE 20,2003 --- Migrant -_ housing -_._ plan from- -.. - task force draws fire ___ - . . . . .- .- . EDWARD SIFUENTES STAFF WRITER CARLSBAD - About two dozen Carlsbad residents, up- set that farmworker housing may end up near their homes, attended a city task force meeting Thursday where the shelter plan was being dis- cussed. Most of the residents who voiced opposition Iive near the Robertson Ranch area, which is east of El Camino Re- enue. The area is one of four sites in the aty being discussed as a location for a proposed 150- bed shelter for male migrant farmworkers. “I’ve lived at the address that I Iive at for five years now and I’ve put up with rhe prob- lems that come with these il- al nd south Of Tamarack AV- - -_ -- legals,” said James Fleming, see them rebuilt again. who lives near Robertson Ranch. which indudes Carlsbad resi- ‘‘I have watched them uri- dents and farmworker advo- nate (and) defecate on the cates, said that nothing has surrounding properties and been agreed upon, including a , throw their empty beer and potentiaL site, and that any liquor bottles on my property plan developed by the group3 and surrounding areas. Now would have to be approved by you want to put a place for the City Council. them to party across the Besides the Robertson street from me? I am really Ranch location, task force. upset about this.” members are looking at a, Many of the residents said- site near the. strawberry they were in favor of farm- fields north of Cannon and worker housing, but not near east of Interstate 5, and at their homes. two other parcels south o€ Since April, the Carlsbad Carlsbad’s McClellan-Palo- Temporary Housing Task mar mort. Force has been meeting, with The task force plans the City Council‘s approval, to bring its proposal to the City develop a plan that would Councilinlate Jdy,saidPatti bring farmworkers into better Hamic-Christensen, the corn-. housing from the makeshift munity development director migrant camps that they Iive for Community Housing in - and that the city periodi- Works, an Escondido-based cally demolishes only to be nonprofit organization spear- Members of the task force, ~ __ heading the project. One advocate for the farm- workers said residents needed to understand the plan better before making judgements about the issue. “Residents are misin- formed and they came here and exploded,” said Jose Gon- zalez, a local coordinator with a binational group from Oax- aca, a state in southern Mei- co. “They need more informa- tion. Farmworkers are hard- working people who need a de.cent and safe place to rest.” Many of the same residents turned out for a aty Planning Commission meeting ,Wednes- day, where the commission unanimously recommended the City Council approve a zoning change for a planned residential community on the 400-acre Robertson Ranch. Residents said they were -. suspicious that the move was setting the stage for the farmworker shelter. They al- so said they fear for the safe- ty of themselves, their chil- dren, and the value of their homes. Task force members tried to ease residents’ fears, saying that many of the problems at- tributed to migrant farmwork- ers are caused by the workers’ homeless situation. They added that the housing would shelter only those men who are employed in agriculture in Carlsbad. However, residents asked the group to expand its list of potential sites, because they fear that of the four locations being discussed, the Robert- son Ranch is favored by the task force. That is because two of the locations are within the Cali- fornia Coastal Commission’s __ - - - -~ area of authority, which could mean long delays in the proj- ect. And some sites, including the strawberry fields, are be- ing eyed by owners for sale and development in the near future. Indeed, much of Carlsbad’s agriculture Iand is expected to disappear within five to 10 year‘s because of residential and commercial development, said city housing officials who attended Thursday’s meeting. With the loss of agriculture in mind, task force members, said they want to tailor the plan by using modular struc- tures to house the workers so that the shelter can be re- moved as farm work diminish- es. “The housing will go away as the farm area that is being farmed goes away,” said Pat Getzel, a consultant for the project. m 0 0 N m 0 u4 I c) c P Housing sites Continuedfi-om All Camino Real, the Robertson Ranch property may be a better option, as it is just outside the coastal zone, HoIzmiller said. Like the strawberry fields, it provides adequate screening from the road and is in proximi- ty to the approximately 150 homeless migrant workers who have erected their shacks near the flower and vegetable fields, he said. In 2001, the Robe&on fami- ly sold a 183.3-acre parcel of the land, approximately half the ranch, to Corky McMillin Companies and Brookfield Homes. The family intends to con- tinue to use the remainder of the praperty for agricultural uses for the near future, Holzmiller said. City staff will approach both the Robertson family and McMiUin about the idea some- time this month. While near the strawberry and flower fields, the parcel of land behind Costco and owned by Carltas Development Company was judged to be too difficult to develop in an expedi- ent manner. Water and open space ease- ments, as well as on-site wet- lands, restrict the development of a large share of the land, task force members said. The task force estimates the housing would require two acres of land. -A fourth site on Aviara Parkway, near palomar Airport Road was evaluated to be too small for the housing. And it would be difficlzlt to seen the modular units from the roadway, Holaniller said. Adequate screening will also be lmportant to the hous- ing’s inhabitants, said rask force member Dorothy Johnson, an attorney with Oceanside’s California Rural Legal Assistance Inc. ‘The people living here may prefer a little privacy,” Johnson said. The migrant farmworkers are very interested in the poten- tial to finaUy have a roof over their heads, according to Jose Gonzalez, one of the task force members who have been visiting with migrant workers. Gonzalez said he will encourage the workers at the strawbeny and flower fields and Robertson Ranch to choose rep- resentatives to attend the meet- ings to provide input. Because missing work to attend the meeting would be a. financial sacrifice for the work- ers, task force members said they hoped to compensate the workers the hourly wages they’re paid in the fields. “For us, that’s a huge amount,” Gonzalez said. “We have to send every penny to our families back home.” The task force has been focusing its efforts on the con- struction of housing for the short-term, as city staff esti- mates that the city’s agricultural land will be under development in the next five to seven years, making farmworker housing no longer necessary. The city has commissioned Community Housing Works to spearhead the project‘s develop- ment. According to the non-prof- it director, Patti - Hamic- Christensen, the task force hopes to bring a project propos- al to the City Council on July 22. With the council’s appro&, the city would concurrently process changes to city ordi- nance and apply for required permits. The next task force meeting d be June 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the city‘s Faraday Center. Contact Carlsbad reporter Raarn Wong at wong@thecoastnews.com. I 2 c 0 n I I I z r- I I 1 I m 0 0) d i Q s 0 c UI W W VI its plan to the City Council. The need for worker housing is not confined to Carlsbad, said task force member Dorothy Johnson, an attorney with Oceanside's California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., a provider of legal aid to low-income individuals. "The bottom line is that this is not just Carlsbad's problem," she said. "I hope other communities will acknowledge this problem in our own back yard and look to Carlsbad as a model." Community Housing Works runs a permanent housing development for farm workers and their families in Escondido. It will open similar developments in Oceanside and Fallbrook. The Oceanside building will open this summer. Johnson said the men who sleep in Carlsbad's hills and canyons don't fit people's assumptions about the homeless. "We're talking about the working poor, not the unemployed," she said. "The farm-worker homeless population in North San Diego County are people who are working full time whenever they can." People served by the proposed shelter would have to have jobs, said task force member Patti Hamic-Christensen, Community Housing Works' director of resident services. Barrera, 56, from Mexicali, and most of his fellow workers from Latin America are legally entitled to work in the United States, and some are U.S. citizens, said Pablo Jimenez, director of the Carlsbad Hiring Center, where Barrera gets his jobs. "It's not only illegal people who live in the canyons," Jimenez said. "Most of the workers have papers. They need decent housing, showers, a decent place to relax." Because agricultural jobs are available in North County most of the year, many workers stay in the area rather than migrating long distances. Hamic-Christensen considers them members of the community. "The city of Carlsbad has said that it wants to address the needs of all of the community," she said. "Farm workers' contributions are valuable to their community. We're not seeing them as a deficient population, just a population needing another type of housing." The task force will meet at 10:30 a.m. at Carlsbad's Faraday Center. The public is invited to comment and ask questions. Staff writer Lola Sherman contributed to this report. Paula Bryant: (760) 476-8207; paula.bryant@uniontrib.com Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks F. Summary of Farm Worker Needs Assessment Introduction Established in 1989, Community Housing Works is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to providing affordable housing and revitalizing low-income neighborhoods. Community Housing Works is regarded as a leader in San Diego County for managing affordable housing, developing successful partnerships, conducting neighborhood need assessments, and coordinating community enhancement projects. In a continuing effort to respond to the needs of the local community, Community Housing Works applied for funding through the Resource Conservation District Board to conduct a survey of agriculture workers in City of Carlsbad. Survey development began in June of 2002 and data collection concluded in December of 2002. The following report summarizes results of the Carlsbad agriculture worker survey. Purpose of Survey According to US Census data, Carlsbad’s population increased 29.9% fiom 1990 to 2000, the second largest population increase among the 19 jurisdictions of San Diego County. Most recently, from 1999 to 2000, Carlsbad was the jurisdiction with the single highest growth rate - with a population increase of almost six percent. Not surprisingly, the California Department of Finance reports that Carlsbad also maintained the second largest increase in total housing units (23.7%) from 1990 to 2000. While the housing increase was quite substantial, it was still more than six percent behind the population increase for the same time period. With such dramatic growth in the City of Carlsbad, housing shortages are expected to be most significant for those segments of the population with the fewest resources. The purpose of the present survey was to examine more closely the housing needs of agriculture workers in the City of Carlsbad. Setting Carlsbad is located along the southern part of California’s coastline, just north of San Diego. The city is 42 square miles and hosts an estimated population of 83,000 persons. Carlsbad’s total population is 8 1 % White and 12% Hispanic. Yet, for those under the age of 18 Carlsbad’s population is dramatically different at 21% White and 33% Hispanic. Participants Participants were agriculture workers believed to work and or live in the City of Carlsbad. Interviewers offered participants an incentive of their choice of a $5.00 gift certificate or phone card for completing the survey. Survey Instrument Data were obtained from a 39-item non-standardized questionnaire. Community Housing Works staff developed the survey instrument after obtaining sample surveys from throughout the state to use as models. Program staff then field-tested the survey with volunteer agriculture workers and made changes as needed. After completing revisions, program staff then delivered the instrument to knowledgeable staff from partnering agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture and California Rural Legal Assistance for review and comment. The anonymous questionnaire was designed primarily to collect information pertaining to housing type and quality. Additional information collected included type of work, family constellation, income, utilization of assistance programs, and basic demographics. To ensure the confidentiality of the respondents, no distinguishing personal identifiers were included in the survey. (See Appendix A for survey instrument in English and Appendix B for the survey instrument in Spanish.) Sample The Carlsbad agriculture worker housing survey was conducted via a convenience sample of farm laborers believed to work in the City of Carlsbad. To administer the present survey Community Housing Works partnered with the San Diego County Department of Agriculture who was simultaneously conducting a survey of local growers. Through this collaboration the interviewers from Community Housing Works had access to agriculture workers employed by local growers for the housing survey that otherwise would have been extremely difficult to obtain. In addition to canvassing local growers, the trained interviewers also went to known locations frequented by agriculture workers. Data Collection During October of 2002, Community Housing Works trained nine individuals to administer the survey instrument. Eight of the interviewers were paid professional staff from either Community Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks Housing Works or a collaborative agency and one was a volunteer. All interviewers were bilingual and bicultural and three of the interviewers spoke Mixteco as well as Spanish. Data were collected for a six-week period from 11/5/02 to 12/17/02. The trained interviewers administered the questionnaires in-person and on-site at various locations. The interviewers collected the completed questionnaires and returned them to the Resident Services Director of Community Housing Works, who then hand delivered them to an independent evaluator. The evaluator entered the questionnaires into SPSS statistical software for tabulation and analysis. Data Analysis SPSS statistical software version 10.0 was used for all computations. Limitations Results are not expected to generalize the larger population of agriculture workers, because this survey attempted to focus exclusively on workers from one specific area of southern California. Furthermore, the convenience sample may result in a subset of agriculture workers that is not representative of the local population. As this survey is based exclusively on self-report information, results are subject to interviewer bias and response sets. Although, effort was taken to train the interviewers and to make as many of the questions as short, simple and straightforward as possible. The survey requested sensitive information such as annual household income and use of federal assistance programs. The nature of the questions asked might lead individuals to respond in a more socially acceptable manner, thus exaggerating or distorting their responses. Survey Completion A total of 155 agriculture workers completed the survey. Surveys were collected from a total of 17 different locations in and around the City of Carlsbad (Table 1). In total, surveys were collected from four different cities; 41.9% of the surveys were collected in the City of Carlsbad (Table 2). Almost all surveys (99.3%) were administered in Spanish. Of the 155 completed surveys, 132 respondents (85.2%) either live or work in the City of Carlsbad. Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks Table 1 Distribution of Survey Collection Sites Surveys Completed Percent Cannon Road Camel Mountain Road Farm worker Meeting Del Mar Del Mar Church Horticulture Sales Loma Grande Farms Rancho Cat0 Rancho Penasquitos Rancho Ramos Rancho Rodriquez Rancho Torres Rudvalis Orchards San Diego Specialty Produce Seaside Farms SER literacy class Vista Community Clinic Total 18 2 5 60 3 2 4 1 1 8 6 3 3 11 4 12 12 155 1 1.6% 1.3% 38.7% 1.9% 1.3% 2.6% .6% .6% 5.2% 3.9% 1.9% 1.9% 7.1% 2.6% 7.7% 3.2% 7.7% 100.0% Table 2 City in which Surveys Were Administered Frequency Percent Carlsbad 65 41.9% Del Mar 66 42.6% Oceanside 17 1 1 .O% San Marcos 7 4.5% Total 155 100.0% Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks Demographics Survey participants were 89.7% male. Respondents ranged in age from 14 to 71 with an average of 30.7 years. Nearly all respondents (96.1%) identified themselves as Mexican. However, only 65.8% specified Spanish as their primary language. The remaining 34.2% of respondents identified an Indian dialect as their primary language, of which 64.2% spoke Mixteco. Of those surveyed, 71 .O% stated Mexico was their permanent place of residence. Interestingly, 56.1% of all respondents identified Oaxaca, Mexico as their permanent place of residence. 79.1 % of the respondents surveyed who identify Mexico as a permanent residence come from Oaxaca. Only 2 1.3% of respondents specified a city within San Diego County as their permanent place of residence. Carlsbad residents accounted for 5.8% of those surveyed. Agriculture Work Of the 155 agriculture workers surveyed, 69.7% identified themselves as working in a field, orchard or ranch; 16.8% specified a nursery or greenhouse; 1.3% a food-packing plant; and 12.3% other (Table 3). Examples of other agriculture work included gardener, yard construction, cut flowers, landscaping, and maintaining the camps. Common categories of farm labor included readying the crops for harvest (29.7%), picking crops (61.9”/0), imgating the crops (23.2%), and working in a packing house (1 8.7%) (Table 4). Other types of farm labor included cutting, fumigation, planting and maintenance. Table 3 Primary Type of Agriculture Work Frequency Percent Field, orchard or ranch 42 36.2% Nursery or greenhouse 41 35.3% Food-packing plant 24 20.7% Other 5 4.3% Total 116 100.0% Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks Table 4 Tpes of Farm Labor Frequency Percent Ready crops for harvest 46 29.7% Pick the crops 96 61.9% Irrigate the crops 36 23 2% Work in a packing house 29 18.7% Work in a green house 5 3.2% Work in a nursery 10 6.5% Other 18 1 1.6% Nearly all of the agriculture workers surveyed (96.7%) work year-round in the local area. Of those who work year-round in the local area, 62.7% report working in Carlsbad at least part of the year and 43.3% report working in Carlsbad exclusively. There are 37.3% of the respondents who report working in various locations throughout San Diego County, but not within the City of Carlsbad. Approximately one-third (34.2%) of respondents walk to work and only 14.2% travel in their own car (Table 5). The vast majority of agriculture workers interviewed (80.6%) travel to work in 30 minutes or less (Table 6) and for most (59.4%) the amount of time spent traveling to work is not identified as a problem (Table 7). Only 14.4% of workers that travel less than 30 minutes to work identified their commute as a problem compared to 41.4% of those that travel more than 30 minutes. Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Table 5 Method of Travel to Work Frequency Percent Personal car Share a ride Employer’s car Walk Bus Bicycle Other Total 22 25 5 53 8 33 9 155 14.2% 16.1% 3.2% 34.2% 5.2% 21.3% 5.8% 100.0% Table 6 Travel Time to Work Frequency Percent 30 minutes or less 125 80.6% Between 30 - 60 minutes 41 16.8% Between 1 - 2 hours 24 1.9% More than 2 hours 0 Missing 1 .6% ----- Community Housingworks Total 155 100.0% Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks Table 7 Travel Time to Work Is a Problem Frequency Percent Yes No Sometimes Total 30 19.4% 92 59.4% 33 21.3% 155 100.0% Family Demographics Of the 155 agriculture workers surveyed, 67.1 % reported having a spouse and 55.5% reported having one or more children. Of those with young children, 85.4% report that a parent in the home cares for the children while at work. The remaining balance of respondents, approximately 2% - 4% each, use another adult in the home, fiiend or family member in the home, licensed family child care home, Head Start, or older sibling to care for young children while at work. Interestingly, only 73.3% of those surveyed with children between the ages of 5 and 18 reported that their children went to school. Virtually none of the agriculture workers surveyed reported using any federal assistance or social service programs (Table 8). Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks Table 8 Use of Federal Assistance or Social Service Programs Frequency Percent TANF or CalWorks 1 Food stamps 1 Disability insurance 5 Unemployment 1 Veteran’s pay 1 Medi-Cal 5 WIC 6 CHDP 1 Legal services 1 Housing assistance 1 Healthy families 3 Medi-Care 1 HEAP 1 CARE 0 Supplemental security income 1 Social security income 2 .6% .6% 3.2% .6% , .6% 3.2% 3.9% .6% .6% .6% 1.9% .6% .6% .6% 1.3% ----- Housing The majority ofrespondents live in either Carlsbad (38.1%) or Del Mar (33.5%) (Table 9). Survey participants reported an average total combined family income of $7,937 per year with a range from $0 to $20,000 and an average total combined family income of $802 per month with a range from $227 to $2,000. The majority of respondents (61.3%) report sharing their home with people other than family. Of those, the number of people other than family with whom the home is shared ranged from 1 to 30 with an average of four persons. Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks Table 9 Community in which Live Frequency Percent Carlsbad 59 38.1% Del Mar 52 33.5% Vista 11 7.1% Other or missing 14 9.0% Oceanside 19 12.3% Total 155 100.0% In terms of housing arrangements, most of the agriculture workers surveyed (69%) reported living in some form of temporary housing while 24% reported renting from someone other than their employer. Only a few reported owning a home (5.4%) or having employer housing paid through wage deduction (1.6%). Of those paying rent, 69% reported that the landlord charged by the entire unit, 1 1.9% by person, 2.4% by family, and 16.7% by room. For most, their housing payment includes water (83.3%), garbage (78.6%), and sewer (78.6%), but far fewer included electricity (35.7%) or gas (42.9%). Of those surveyed, the majority (66.4%) reported living in a migrant camp (Table 10). In comparison, less than a third (30.4%) reported living in more permanent housing such as a mobile home, house or apartment. Those living in permanent housing reported having one to four bedrooms, but most (54.3%) with only one. The agriculture workers who live in traditional housing tend to share their housing with others. Those surveyed reported 1 - 12 other people also slept in their house with an average of 4.4 persons. For sleeping arrangements, 81.5% reported people sleeping in bedrooms and 32.8% also reported people sleeping in the living room. Approximately 2% - 3% also reported persons sleeping in each the dining room, hallway, storage shed, garage, basement, and trailer. The agriculture workers surveyed also reported a variety of amenities in their housing unit (Table 11). Only about half of those in some type of housing unit reported having a flush toilet, windows that open, or a sink with hot and cold running water. Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks Table 10 Tpe of Housing Frequency Percent Mobile home 4 2.6% House 17 11 .O% Apartment 26 16.8% Migrant camp 103 66.4% Other 3 1.9% Missing 2 1.3% Total 155 100.0% Table 11 Amenities Included in Housing Frequency Percent Kitchen 51 Refrigerator 45 Stove 1 Oven 55 Microwave 35 Hot plate 33 Electricity 44 Sink w/ hot & cold water 40 Bathtub / shower 43 Flush toilet 41 Fireplace 10 Fire alarm 32 Windows that open 40 Laundry facilities 15 Telephone 40 Heating unit 28 65.4% 57.7% 70.5% 44.9% 42.9% 56.4% 51.3% 55.1% 52.6% 12.8% 41 .O% 51.3% 19.2% 51.3% 35.9% Respondents also reported a variety of problems that they were currently experiencing in their housing unit (Table 12). Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks Table 12 Current Housing Problems Frequency Percent Electrical problems 53 55.8% Heating problems 54 56.8% Leaking ceiling 36 37.9% No plumbing 47 49.5% Poor water quality 43 45.3% Mice / roaches 65 68.4% ring to mo Interestingly, one-fifth of all agriculture workers surveyed (20.0%) reported ha ‘e out of their home involuntarily in the last 12 months. Reasons for having to move varied, but most the greatest percentage (1 9.4%) reported having to leave because of work. Other reasons respondents specified for having to leave their home included being evicted (1 6.1 %), unit destroyed (9.7%), unsafe environment (6.5%), and too expensive (3.2%). Of those agriculture workers surveyed that reported living in temporary housing, 87.4% live in a camp with just other men. Approximately two-thirds of those in temporary housing (67.8%) would be willing to pay $2 per day to live in a more comfortable setting. Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks F. Summary Information of Other Farm Worker Projects 1. Montrose County Housing Authority (MCHA), Colorado MCHA’s dormitory for single migrants has 36 dorm rooms with a capacity of two persons for each room. Each bathroom is shared by two dorm rooms. The dormitory has wings meeting at the center in a common area. The common area houses the dormitory’s office, a large open lounge area for residents, and vending machines. A dining hall is accessed just off the common area. Dorm tenants may pay an additional fee for dining hall services. Dining hall service includes breakfast and dinner served at the dining hall, with a lunch packed for the worker to take out on the job. The site has picnic tables around the property for use by the tenants, and a basketball court in back of the facility. I MCHA’s family rental units are scattered on lots around Olathe. The scattered site approach was selected in order to integrate the housing into the community, and due to the availability of affordable lots. The units are constructed as duplexes, with each unit having a paved off street parking area, an external storage shed, and a clothesline in the backyard. There are 20 three- bedroom units and four four-bedroom units. Each duplex has a very large backyard, and the sites are developed so that they blend in with the character of surrounding homes in the neighborhood. The dormitory and all of the rental units have RHS rental assistance. This means that tenants pay 30 percent of their monthly income for rent. Rental assistance covers the gap between the unit or room base rent and the tenant contribution. The base monthly rent for the three-bedroom rental units is $350, and $375 for the four-bedroom units. The base monthly rent for the dormitory rooms is $500, which is based on a two-person occupancy. The dormitory rooms have a higher base rent than the duplex units primarily because the cost of a year-round onsite manager and other staff must be factored into the operating costs of the dormitory. Also, the dormitory has a greater amount of tenant turnover than is the case with the duplex units, with vacancy rates fluctuating significantly between peak season and off-season periods. With rental assistance, single migrants living in the dormitory pay between $20 and $3 1.25 a week for rent. The permanent financing for this project is an RHS Section 514 loan and Section 516 grant. The grant comprises 72 percent of the total RHS funding for the project. The State of Colorado also contributed a grant from HOME funds to cover primary financing. The Colorado grant amounted to $80,000. RHS Section 5 14 loan funding totaled $541,120. The Section 5 16 grant was $1,588,830. The permanent financing sources thus totaled $2,209,950. Including predevelopment costs and other fees, total cost for the dormitory and duplexes combined reached $2,166,62 1. Further HOME financing had to be sought because project costs outstripped the RHS and State of Colorado financing commitments. MCHA, with the assistance of CRHDC, applied for a HOME loan to be used as gap financing. The total for the HOME bridge loan came to $1,8 19,338. Once the RHS funds were received, they were used to pay off the HOME loan. The initial HOME grant of $80,000 was deducted Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks from MCHA’s repayment obligation on the HOME loan. Including the interest charges by the Colorado Division of Housing, this left MCHA with a repayment obligation of $169,878. HOME made the difference in completion of MCHA’s farm worker housing project in Olathe. The gap between incurring construction costs and disbursement of RHS funds could have been disastrous without the bridge loan. The HOME funds also covered the financing shortfall as construction costs rose. HOME proved in this case to be an accessible financing source that ultimately closed the deal on this development. The units compare in quality to the private housing in their neighborhoods. The resulting rental units and dormitory offer the highest quality, most affordable rental housing available to farm workers in the Olathe area 2. Office of Rural and Farm worker Housing, Washington: The Linda Vista Development Introduction The Linda Vista housing development in Toppenish was developed by the Office of Rural and Farm worker Housing (ORFH) in conjunction with the Yakima Housing Authority. Linda Vista is a multi-site project consisting of duplex, triplex and fourplex structures scattered on five lots throughout Toppenish. One of the sites includes a daycare center, which is also used for meetings of the Tenants Council. Linda Vista encompasses 30 units of housing in addition to the daycare center, serves 150 individuals, and has been occupied since 1993. The development’s principal financing source is Rural Housing Service (RHS) Section 5 14/5 16 Farm Labor Housing grants and loans, with funds from the HOME program used as gap financing on the project. Agricultural workers in the Yakima Valley have great need of affordable rental housing. Linda Vista is one of many ORFH developments produced to alleviate this need. The Yakima Valley in Washington attracts a great number of migrant farm workers. This is due to the availability of agricultural work throughout much of the year and proximity to other agricultural regions in the state. Labor-intensive crops dominate Yakima Valley agriculture, primarily apples, asparagus, cherries, hops, peaches, apricots, pears, plums and prunes. The peak number of seasonal agricultural workers was estimated at 14,597 in 1989. In 1993, seasonal employment exceeded 5,000 for every month from April through October. The state’s 1995 ConPlan estimates a state total of 563,122 agricultural workers at peak season. Citing a 1993 study on the need for farm worker housing, the ConPlan notes a need for 58,020 additional housing units to meet the demand of agricultural workers and their families at peak periods of employment.’ This same study lists Yakima County as one of the eight counties in Washington State with the greatest need for more farm worker housing. The majority of farm workers in the Yakima Valley are seasonal workers, although a significant number of migrants stay in the area during the peak apple and cherry harvests. Most farmworkers in the area have families, and many “settle out” and make the Yakima Valley their home base. Quality housing affordable to farm workers is scarce, especially housing that may be occupied on a year-round basis. This means that investment in single-family housing or multi- family Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks rental developments is preferred to dormitory-style housing or single-room occupancy (SRO) units for single migrant workers. According to ORFH staff, farm worker families typically find themselves in poor housing. Local rental housing occupied by farm worker families is described as very substandard in quality. Families also fiequently have to double up or triple up to meet their expenses. In 1988 and 1989, ORFH conducted a housing needs assessment, which highlighted a sample of 93 farm worker families in Toppenish eligible for Section 5 14/5 16 housing. The survey revealed that 67 percent of the families were living in housing in need of repair. Among these households, 40 percent had repeated plumbing problems, 56 percent had drafty homes, and 50 percent had regular infestations of insects or rodents. Additionally, 65 percent of surveyed households were living in overcrowded housing (more than one person per room), and 33 percent were living doubled up with other families. Finally, a significant portion of survey households had housing cost burden, with 65 percent of these farm worker families paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income for housing costs. Toppenish is southeast of Yakima along Interstate 82, and is surrounded by the Yakima Nation reservation. Toppenish has a population of approximately 7,400. According to the survey done by ORFH, the median length of residency for farm worker families in Toppenish is six years, and over 17 percent of surveyed households report living in the area for over 20 years. The median income in 1989 for the families surveyed was $8,000, whereas the median income for Yakima County was $26,833 at that time. The need for affordable housing in the area is acute. In addition to the ORFH survey data, a separate field survey of rental housing in the Toppenish area shows the need for more affordable rentals. The rental survey found that in the late 1980s only about 14 percent of 199 unsubsidized multi-family rentals had more than one bedroom, and 25 percent did not allow children. The Toppenish Building Inspector found 70 percent of 204 multifamily units to be in need of some kind of rehabilitation in 1987, with 20 percent severely deteriorated. Vacancy rates are very low around Toppenish. The vacancy rate in the late 1980s was 2.9 percent. According to ORFH, these figures are consistent with present realities in the Toppenish housing market. In 1992 a total of 141 households on waiting lists for 113 occupied units in subsidized developments in Toppenish, another indication of farm workers’ need for affordable rental housing. ORFH is a private, statewide nonprofit corporation that develops housing for farm workers and other rural, low-income residents of Washington. ORFH provides direct development services to muncipalities, local housing authorities, nonprofit corporations and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of farm worker housing. The organization’s focus has been on developing multifamily rental housing and related facilities. ORFH has developed 61 1 housing units on 78 sites throughout Washington. Their housing developments serve up to a 3,282 individuals. An additional 3 10 housing units for ten communities are currently in development and planning, and will serve approximately 1,772 additional farm workers and their dependents. In addition to its development activities, ORFH provides local assistance in developing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proposals, subdivision planning, water and Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks sewer development, daycare centers, Section 8 housing programs, homeownership rehabilitation and other services. ORFH does not own or manage the housing units it produces, emphasizing local ownership and control of publicly financed housing. ORFH charges sponsoring organizations no direct fee for its services. ORFH provides funds from an interest-free $500,000 Revolving Loan Fund for front-end development costs. The loan funds have been used for architectural and engineering services, land options and purchases, legal costs and other items that are required as part of applications for federal construction funds. Permanent financing for ORFH-supported projects has come from RHS Section 5 14, Section 5 15 and Section 5 16 programs. To date, every development proposal submitted by ORFH has received a funding commitment from RHS. HOME and CDBG in Washington Washington’s state legislature and state agencies have become more supportive of organizations addressing farm worker housing needs. Until ORFH’s inception in 197 1, only one farm worker housing project had been developed using federal grant funds, although these grants had been available for 20 years. However, in recent years the state has established a housing trust fund and set aside a portion of the trust fund for farm worker housing development and rehabilitation. In addition, the Washington State Department of Community Development has set aside $750,000 for affordable housing efforts from its Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This money is available in addition to applications to the general CDBG pool by local political jurisdictions. While Linda Vista did not utilize CDBG, ORFH is applying to this CDBG set-aside for other projects currently under development. The state has simplified the process of accessing HOME, CDBG and other state-run funding sources for affordable housing development. ORFH staff describe the application process as “one-stop shopping,” where a single application serves for all funding programs. ORFH staff feel that the state maintains high standards in approving projects and acting on applications quickly and professionally. Local solutions to locally identified needs are given priority in the allocation of HOME and CDBG. Additionally, the state is flexible in its guidelines for using administrative funds, and in tailoring funding to the unique circumstances of individual projects. ORFH and other groups working with the state’s farm working population have participated in each revision of the state’s ConPlan. Their efforts have led to the designation of fm workers as a special needs population in the ConPlan. As such, the housing needs of farm workers have been highlighted in the management of the state’s HOME allocations. Projects serving special needs populations receive points in Washington’s application review for HOME funds. The HOME program is administered by the Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development agency (WSCTED). It also manages the state’s Housing Trust Fund. WSCTED has offered strong support to organizations developing farm worker housing. It has been innovative in making the Trust Fund and HOME accessible to organizations like ORFH. The HOME program guidelines require a project sponsor to match a HOME allocation with financing from another source. However, Washington has incorporated its HOME allocation into its total state Housing Trust Fund. Local funding matches are not required of nonprofit Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks developers. In managing the Trust Fund portfolio, the state ensures that the total pool of HOME funds is matched, rather than doing so on a project-by-project basis. This makes HOME very easy to use for nonprofit developers, particularly those in rural areas where securing matching funds from local lenders or foundations may be more difficult. The Housing Trust Fund even has staff overseeing a portion of funds in the Housing Trust specifically for farm worker-related projects. Since 1992, WSCTED has disbursed $22,146,389 in HOME funds to fund 47 projects. This translates to 1,144 units of affordable housing. Among these projects, 2 1 are new construction, and many are located in areas with heavy concentrations of farm workers. HOME allocations are made in accordance with three geographic priorities to ensure that underserved areas receive some priority in disbursing funds. First priority is given to jurisdictions that do not receive funds through entitlement. Second priority is given to CDBG entitlement jurisdictions that do not receive HOME through entitlement. A maximum of 20 percent of the state’s HOME funds will be allocated to HOME regional participating jurisdictions with oversight of disbursement in different regions of the state. The state follows federal guidelines and sets aside 15 percent of HOME funds for projects developed by Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). At least 15 percent of HOME is mandated to fund a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program. At least 15 percent of HOME is used to fund a Minor Home Repair Program, which funds rehabilitation work.’ These are both significant needs identified in the state’s ConPlan. The remaining HOME funds are accessed through a competitive application that serves HOME and a number of other programs. The state allocates awards fiom different funding streams according to local project eligibility and needs. The single application simplifies paperwork for nonprofit developers. It also may provide access to funding sources the developer may not have thought available for the project under application. This, in conjunction with incorporating HOME into the State Housing Trust Fund, encourages more local initiatives to meet local challenges. Under this system, nonprofit developers are able to spend less time pursuing funding sources and focus more of their time and energy on solving development problems. 3. The Linda Vista Development, Yakima, Washington All of the Linda Vista residents are seasonal agricultural workers who use the Yakima Valley as their home base. Most move fiom one agricultural job to another around the Yakima Valley between April and October, with many also traveling to other parts of Washington to take part in apple and cherry harvests. Yakima is within a day’s travel of the state’s other major growing areas, making the Valley an attractive place for farm workers and their families to settle out. Many of the farm workers who have settled out supplement their agricultural income with odd jobs in the off season between November and March. Construction, driving, and mechanical work are common off season occupations. Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks In Yakima County, an annual income at or below 50 percent of the area median would be $15,000 or less. An annual income at or below 30 percent of area median would be $9,000 or less. Among the Toppenish families surveyed and found eligible for occupancy in Linda Vista, the median income was $7,050 in 1993. The median annual income for Yakima County at that time was $26,833. Linda Vista thus serves farm worker families with incomes generally at or below 30 percent of the area median. Linda Vista encompasses 30 units of housing and one daycare center scattered across five sites in Toppenish. Scattered sites were selected due to land availability, tenant preference and the desire to avoid occupational and ethnic segregation. The sites hold four, two, fifteen, seven and two units respectively. There are two one-bedroom units, fourteen two-bedroom units, twelve three- bedroom units and one each of four-bedroom and five bedroom units. Two of the units are designed for handicapped residents. All of the units have RHS rental assistance, which means that tenants pay 30 percent of their monthly income for rent. The difference between the tenant contribution and the unit’s listed rent is covered by the rental assistance. The gross monthly rent for the one-bedroom units is $242, and the rent for the two-bedroom units is $3 17. Three- bedroom units rent for $373, the four-bedroom unit for $446, and the five-bedroom for $506. With rental assistance in place, tenant contributions toward rent average $176. Linda Vista units are arranged in duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes, and all but one site have off- street parking. Linda Vista units also have external storage sheds for each unit, a feature shared by all ORFH housing developments. ORFH incorporated this design feature as a response to potential complaints from neighbors concerning cluttered yards. Staff jokingly refer to these sheds as “ORFH outhouses.” ORFH housing developments around Yakima and Toppenish are generally kept up better than many neighboring lots. The director of ORFH also noted Linda Vista’s single-story floor plan. Only a couple of ORFH housing developments are two-story projects, due to the character of the rural neighborhoods and since they are not generally popular with farm worker families. In many cases, it is difficult locating lots large enough for a number of single-story units. If smaller lots are available, it becomes more cost-effective to build multi- story structures. However, most of the farm worker families in the Yakima Valley are of Mexican descent, with large numbers having grown up in Mexico. According to surveys of tenants in ORFH developments, many farm worker families have expressed a preference that the bedrooms of parents and children be located near one another on the same floor. ORFH’s design emphasis on single-story construction thus addresses this preference among its farm worker clients. Linda Vista’s financing consists primarily of RHS funding sources. Capital construction financing amounts to $2,292,960 from the Section 514 loan and the Section 516 grant programs. Of this amount, 86 percent is grant money, and 14 percent is a loan at 1 percent interest over 33 years. In addition, there is $282,605 in rental assistance from RHS for the first five years, with the rental assistance grant renewable in five year contracts. Over the 33-year term of the mortgage, rental assistance should amount to $1,865,193 in current dollars. ORFH covered pre-development financing from the ORFH Revolving Loan Fund, drawing a zero percent interest loan of $2 17,228 for front-end financing. Pre-development costs covered with this financing include land option and land purchase expenses, architectural and engineering Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks costs, surveys, soil tests, permits and other fi-ont-end expenses. The loan from the ORFH Revolving Loan Fund also served as a loan guarantee to RHS while ORFH pursued HOME funds as gap financing for completion of the project. ORFH also received funding fi-om the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Washington State Department of Community Development (WSDCD) to cover technical assistance costs. The U.S. DOL contributed $53,600 and WSDCD contributed $74,650 to offset the costs of ORFH’s technical assistance in developing Linda Vista. The Yakima County Housing Authority also provided a contribution of staff time in preparing and monitoring the loan applications and project development, which as an in-kind contribution amounted to the equivalent of $6 1,5 19. Finally, HOME funds were secured from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund as gap financing, and amounted to $224,958. Of this amount, $207,911 was earmarked for construction costs, while $17,047 was set aside as part of the project contingency fund. The daycarehenant meeting facility’s development was very important to the Yakima County Housing Authority.’ The housing authority has a strong commitment to tenant involvement in management. Tenants are hired whenever possible for maintenance and caretaking positions, and the housing authority also runs a construction apprenticeship program for tenants not engaged full-time in farm work. Children of tenants receive first priority for participation in the daycare program, but children from other housing developments run by the Yakima County Housing Authority also participate. Low-income children not living in the housing authority’s developments are also eligible for the daycare center’s services. The housing authority contracts with an independent service provider to manage the daycare facility. The center was designed to serve 38 children. There are approximately 350 children on the waiting list. In addition to serving as a meeting space for the Tenant Council and providing daycare space, the facility is also used for classes in English as a Second Language (ESL). Not only does the daycare center have a play area for children, but so do all the other Linda Vista sites. The daycare facility is 2,000 square feet, and had construction costs amounting to $97,752. Site development costs covering landscaping the daycare facility and building play areas totaled $20,056. This cost was included in the total cost of construction, and represents a very small portion of the total financing for the project. The Linda Vista development is integrated into a number of neighborhoods located near essential services, such as churches, schools and grocery stores. Tenants take great pride in their housing, with yards kept neat, cars parked off the street, and well-maintained flower beds and vegetable gardens. Especially when compared to private rental housing in the vicinity of Linda Vista lots, these units truly upgrade the housing opportunities available to Yakima Valley farm worker families. Accessing HOME Although ORFH often encounters NIMBY problems with its developments, none arose in the process of building Linda Vista. Over the years, ORFH has cultivated contacts with city officials in Yakima Valley communities. As more ORFH projects were completed and managed successfully, local governments and area residents have shown continued support for ORFH housing developments. Since ORFH works primarily by providing technical assistance to local Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community Housingworks organizations, local governments often become invested in these housing initiatives and gain familiarity with ORFH staff and programs. ORFH’s director notes that developing these kinds of partnerships with local governments and housing authorities “smoothes the way for subsequent developments.” Ultimately, these local partners can then be relied upon to support ORFH housing initiatives that may fall outside of their jurisdictions. They have spoken on behalf of ORFH or sent letters of testimony to state agencies. ORFH’s director also notes that there are currently more requests from local government for ORFH assistance than the organization can act upon. Since accessing HOME requires contact with a PJ, most often a state housing finance or community development agency, strong references from local governments and housing authorities strengthen an organization’s links to the community in the eyes of state administrators. ORFH staff noted only two obstacles in accessing HOME funds. ORFH staff observed that the amount of paperwork required for making a successful HOME application was burdensome, even in Washington State where paperwork requirements have been streamlined. Since ORFH staff repeatedly noted the state’s support of farm worker housing initiatives, the burden of excessive paperwork was seen as the most significant obstacle for groups that might want to access HOME. This obstacle is likely to be more troublesome for nonprofit developers with less experience using federal programs. Such groups might find the staff hours required to comply with paperwork requirements prohibitive. Nonprofit organizations with small staffs and limited administrative budgets may often feel that paperwork poses a burden, even if the application or monitoring process in question has been simplified and streamlined. From the perspective of these types of organizations, ongoing efforts by federal, state and local agencies to further streamline the program application process will promote the most efficient use of limited housing resources. The less significant, procedural obstacle encountered by ORFH involved having to justify the use of RHS environmental review materials in place of HUD’s environmental review. ORFH had already committed staff time and funds to an environmental review in order to secure the Section 5 14/5 16 grants and loans from RHS. ORFH argued that it would be a duplication of effort to do the review over again to comply with HUD’s framework, especially since both environmental standards are very similar. This obstacle did not become a major problem because the PJ accepted the earlier review with little argument. When asked for suggestions on making HOME more accessible for farm labor housing development, ORFH’s director said simply that “[other states] should administer the programs like Washington State does.” More specifically, he said that having a single application for multiple financing sources, flexibility in the disbursement and use of administrative funds, and tailoring funding sources to local needs make the HOME program very accessible in Washington. Perhaps the most innovative and useful measure taken by the state is its incorporation of its HOME allocation into the State Housing Trust Fund. It eliminates the need to search for HOME match funds and ties the HOME program more closely to state housing resources. Since the state has made efforts to become more attuned to local initiatives targeting local needs, nonprofit groups like ORFH have had more success using HOME to serve low- income farm workers and their families. Carlsbad Temporiyy Farm Worker Housing Feasibility Study Community HousingWorks G. Correspondence Received from the Public From: The Whiting Group <whitinggroup@adelphia.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: Subject: migrant worker housing 7/11 /03 1 0: 14AM Hello Sir, Thank you for all the information at the meeting last nite on the migrant working housing project. As I expressed last night, there is a contingent of residents in the Shorepointe sub-division (which is probably the closest division to the proposed "Aviara" site) that are concerned with putting this at the Palomar Airport Rd/Aviara Pkwy site. Several of the houses along Mariposa may actually have a direct view to the modular homes if located at that site. Other residents have valid concerns vis a vis the impact to their land values. As a local professional real estate professional showing homes in that area I am now required to point out the possibility of the camp being located there. Trust me - it does not help in increasing buyers interest in buying near that area. Thus, our concern is not a hypothetical concern; I have already seen the early signs on the impact - buyers shying away to other areas. Also, there is also a concern of having an increased concentration of single, male workers in the neighborhood. One of the advantages of buying on our street is that we feel safe in letting the numerous kids who have moved into this new development play outside with each other. I'm sure you understand the concern the parents have raised in having a dramatically increased concentration of trnasient male workers directly down the street. Lastly, if I were one of the hard working male workers, I wouldn't want to be put at that intersection as it is very busy and VERY VISIBLE. I'd prefer to have a place where there wasn't a ton of traffic going by from both a noise and safety perspective. I would appreciate a reply to this email just so I know it did get to the right address. Thank you again for all your help! KWW 6407 Calmeria Place Carlsbad, CA 92009 PS: Do you have the contact info for the lady representing the Catholic charities who was looking for volunteers? We might have some folks and time. Giannina Whiting Phone: 760 602 0800 Cell: 760 809 6776 Web: www.WhitingGroup.com Email: WhitingGroup@coldwelIbanker.com cc: <kwhiting2@adelphia.net> We are owners of a home in Shorepoint community (Near Aviara and Palomar Airport Rd) and wish to express protest for the housing project site proposed nearby. Concerns include diminished home value, density of population, transient male workers living near a family environment with children at play, adding high density housing in a community of single family homes and taxpayer cost and subsidizing one working sector over another. Out of plans I am aware, it would be most suitable to have housing provided at employer/employee expense and located at the work site. Please consider our voice as part of the community you support. Bob & Gail Carroll 1254 Mariposa Carlsbad, CA 92009 ph 760-438-9232 From: Mary Riemersma <maryr@camft.org> To: "'cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us"' <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: Subject: RE: Affordable Housing 711 8/03 1 1 :37AM I am writing to express concern about the potential for additional affordable housing to be built at the corner of Palomar Airport Road and Aviara in Carlsbad. I live in Carlsbad, just south of Palomar Airport Road and just east of Aviara, on 6464 Goldenbush Drive. Currently there is already a concentration of affordable housing in this area. An expansion of this concentration will likely affect the values of single-family detached homes in this area and will make the homes more difficult to sell. Carlsbad has done a commendable job of making sure the needs of all segments of the population are addressed in requiring affordable housing in the midst of more spacious housing, however, a fair balance should be retained by not permitting the construction of too much of any one type of real estate. Given the location of the property that is to potentially be developed, it would seem that it would be ideally suited to commercial or retail use, rather than low-cost residential. Thank you for considering my views. Should you wish to contact me, my home phone number is 760-931-1747. Mary Riemersma, CAE Executive Director California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists 7901 Raytheon Road San Diego, CA 921 1 1-1 606 858-292-2666 fax maryr@camff .org 858-292-2638 CAMFT. . .We're here for You! From: <BT4ME@aol.com> To: ccruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/18/03 12:05PM Subject: Migrant Worker sites My family and I are in opposition to locating the migrant workers at the site near the intersection of Palornar and Aviara as we believe that there needs to be a more suitable location that is further removed from such a large concentration of homes. We would appreciate you recording our opposition accordingly. Sincerely, Bruce Tipton 6481 Wayfinders Ct. Carlsbad, Ca. 92009 cc: cSarahtip@aol.com> From: "Danielle Miller" <dkmillerl @adelphia.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 711 9/03 4:30PM Subject: Migrant worker housing Dear Mr. Ruiz, I am writing out of concern on the prospective site for migrant worker housing on Aviara. My family lives just southwest of this site proposal, in Shorepointes. We recently purchased this home in December 2002. Location, surroundings, and quality of schools were the three factors that led us to the decision to move to this neighborhood and raise our family. A migrant work site in our immediate surroundings no longer qualifies our home location for the three criteria that we originally used to purchase our home. I strongly urge the council to re-consider this site for a migrant camp. The specific reasons for concerns that my family shares with our neighbors is as follows: Safety of our neighborhood: I was raised in a community that shared space with mirgrant workers (Rancho Penasquitos and Rancho Bernardo). I do have great respect for the work they perform and the contribution they have in helping our local economy. However, having a migrant camp sharing a neighborhood of residential homes brings forth more crime and sanitation issues. Migrant quarters in Rancho Bernardo was the cause of large rat problems. Integrity of our neighborhood: As a community member of Carlsbad, I value the strength of our property values and have pride that others seek to live in our community. If others are seeking to raise their families in a good, safe neighborhood, a migrant camp would be an immediate deterrent. Ultimately, our housing value would decrease and the revenue to the city would also be directly impacted by the decrease in property taxes collected. I hope the city council strongly considers this downstream effect. Safety of the migrant workers: As mentioned above, I lived most of my life in inland North County. I have heard, as I'm sure you have, of serious hate crimes and senseless crimes performed against these migrant workers. Crimes consisted of brutal beatings, robberies, and the senseless "hunting" of these men. Exposing them to the public on a busy through way is not fair to these defenseless men. Unfortunately, not all are respectful of other human beings and this type of worker has been targeted in other communities as well. A migrant camp in full public view is not a good choice for this reason. I hope you consider and pass this information to the decision makers in this case. My views are also supported by my fellow neighbors. Respectfully, Danielle K. Miller 6404 Calmeria Place Carlsbad, CA 92009 From: <carrollg@cch.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us>, <Manager@ci.carlsbad.ca.us>, <Council@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/20/03 12:35PM Subject: Migrant housing We are owners of a home in ShorePoint community (Near Aviara and Palomar Airport Rd) and wish to express protest for the housing project site proposed nearby. Concerns include diminished home value, density of population, transient male workers living near a family environment with children at play, adding high density housing in a community of single family homes and taxpayer cost and subsidizing one working sector over another. Out of plans I am aware, it would be most suitable to have housing provided at employer/employee expense and located at the work site. Please consider our voice as part of the community you support. Bob & Gail Carroll 1254 Mariposa Carlsbad, CA 92009 ph 760-438-9232 Thank you for choosing CCH ........ the preferred provider for the IRS? since 191 3. Gail Carroll Account Representative, Office Ph 760-931-6550 Fax 760-931 -6294 Voice Mail Need a Website? monthly, Newsletter, calculators, tools, easy setup, maintain & modify at a nominal cost. Or, add fresh content to your existing site. Visit us http://tax.cchgroup.com/sitebuilder & enter 0409 as DTN for a FREE trial. Need Training? internet based. Low cost. Unlimited access for your entire staff. CP E/CP L. Technical Support 1-800-835-01 05 1 -800-449-,8114 CCH INCORPORATED, A WoltersKluwer Company 888-224-7377 x 1704 I will build you a customized Website in 30 minutes! Updated Staff Development. Choose from our self serve menu of courses, 24/7 Editorial Tax support Billing or Shipping 1-800-449-6439 From: "Deane DiMarco" <deanerr1 @hotmail.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/20/03 10:56AM Subject: Migrant Workers Hi, I'm a concerned home owner in the Shorepointe sub-division and mother of two. I strongly oppose the Migrant modular housing. This proposal would highly effect our property values and sense of security in our beautiful neighborhood! Thank-You for your assistance, Kellee Sauter STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail From: <opalgrandma@nethere.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/20/03 7:42PM Subject: migrant woker housing July 20, 2003 Dear Mr.Ruiz, I am a property owner in the Shorepointe Development. I just want you to know that we are very much against the proposed project of migrant worker housing. When we were looking to purchase property 6 months ago we pick this area because it was free of such problems. We stayed away from areas like Encinitas because of the high concentration of migrant workers. The children in this neighborhood play freely outside and don't have to worry about things like that. They should be able to do so and not have their parents be so concerned for their safety of their kids. This project will change the dynamics of Shorepointe greatly. Please protect our neighborhood and families!!! Thank you, Susan S. Barmassel Owner 1202 Mariposa Rd. Carlsbad, Ca 92009 (760)438-9782 From: <Geerobert@aol.com To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/20/03 1 :08PM Subject: proposed migrant worker camplhousing@AviaralPalomar Dear Mr Ruiz, It has been brought to my attention that there is a proposed migrant housing on the corner of Aviara & Palomar Airport Rd. This was very disconcerting since we have 2 young boys who are always playing outside with neighborhood children in the Shorepointe subdivision. This is definately a safety concern since it would involve an increased concentration of transient male workers just down the street. Our community is one composed of many families with small children and I would hate to see it negatively impacted. In addition, there is probably a safety issue to the migrant workers secondary to the noise and traffic from the airport and the busy intersection. Please consider these problems when evaluating this location. Thanks, Karen Gee & Robert Schlachter From: Pat Robertson <patrobertson@sbcglobal.net> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/20/03 4:36PM Subject: Proposed Migrant Housing Project Craig, I am sending you this e-mail as a resident of Shorepointe in Carlsbad and as the owner of a mid-size advertising agency located in Carlsbad, BullsEye Communications, LLC. Hopefully, I can elicit your support in not recommending the location of a Migrant Housing Project at the Palomar Airport Road/Aviara Parkway site. Shorepointe is a residential community with many young children and numerous senior citizens. Noise and safety factors come to mind immediately as reasons why such a concentration of single, male workers in close proximity to our development would be fraught with peril. . Our Association trusts that you will look to more viable and less visible sites, which also might better serve the workers. Thank you for taking into consideration our concerns. Pat Shubert Robertson 641 9 Calmeria Place Carlsbad, CA 92009 PresidentlCEO BullsEye Communications, LLC Phone: 760-438-3822 Fax: ,760-438-3864 e-mail: patrobertson@sbcglobal.net From: ~ccurran-/@juno.com~ To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/21/03 9:33AM Subject: Migrant Housing Aviara/Palomar Airport Rd. I am writing you to express my concerns about the proposed migrant housing development on the corner of Palomar Airport Rd and Aviara Pkwy. As a Shorepointe resident, I have much concern about this proposal: 1. Safety for our children, Any single male development, such as this one, should not be built in an area that would put our kids and families at greater risk to crime. This facility would do that. Certainly, there are plenty of other areas of Carlsbad where the housing could be located that would not present this risk to neighborhoods, especially a family neighborhood like this one. 2. With the future plans to develop College Ave near Palomar Airport Rd as a community center and city park, the migrant housing would encourage vagrants to hang out in the park area, which is also very undesirable for the Carlsbad community at large. There MUST BE another solution for the location of the migrant housing development. I speak for several Shorepointe residents when expressing these concerns. We expect the city to do what is in the best interest of it's homeowners/residents/taxpayers. Please let me know what the city's plans are. Sincerely, Caryn Curran Carlsbad Homeowner From: 4omnsandyl @juno.com> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/21/03 11:23AM Subject: MIGRANT WORKER HOUSING Dear Sir/ Ma'am- I and my family live in the Shorepoint housing area and own our home here. We are very much opposed to housing Migrant workers in our area. We already have low cost housing as mandated by the state. There is no reason to burden our futures further by adding more ... even worse ... housing in our area. Please do not put our family at further risk by allowing this housing in my area. Thank you, Tom, Sandy & Alex Frieder 1183 Mariposa Rd. Carlsbad, CA 92009 760-804-0091 The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.951 month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! From: "Mike Geraghty" <mgeraghty@adelphia.net> To : ccruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/21/03 12:OOPM Subject: Migrant worker location feedback To Whom it May Concern, As I understand, a task force has been created to determine "temporary" housing site for migrant workers that work in the farms in Carlsbad. One of the sites being considered in on the corner of Aviara Parkway and Palornar Airport Road. I am writing to express my total disagreement with this location. In my opinion, this location would greatly reduce the excellent living environment of my neighborhood, create an unsightly area in a very visible, high traffic location, and create a difficult transportation situation for the workers (;.e. how will the workers get to the work site from Palomar/Aviara Parkway?). Carlsbad has always focused on quality of living issues and although this is a difficult issue, I am sure that a resolution can be found which will be beneficial to the workers and residents of our area. Thank you Mike Geraghty 11 91 Mariposa Road Carlsbad, CA 92009 From: “Sally Waite” <sawaite@pacbell.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/21/03 2:13PM Subject: Migrant Workers/ Housing Commission Good Afternoon Mr. Ruiz, As a Carlsbad homeowner in a new community, I received some information in regards to a “possible” migrant housing facility site that would be about % mile from our home. I am anxious to attend a city meeting in regards to this project and I hope you can direct me in the right direction. I noticed on the city’s website that on July 23rd there will be a housing commission meeting however a letter was sent around our neighborhood to attend a meeting on Tuesday, July 22nd to express concerns. Please verify the correct time, day and place of the meeting. From the impact this will have on our land values to the safety of our children, I have a lot of concern about a migrant facility at the end of our street. Out of 146 single- family units in our community, almost every other home has at least one child between 6 months to 8 years. It is hard enough to feel safe with a low income housing unit across the street but to have a migrant facility nearby as well will really compromise our safety. Why should we have to live “on guard” in a neighborhood where everyone paid top dollar to live in? Where is the money coming from that will pay for the migrant housing? Who owns that land on Aviara Parkway and Palomar Airport Road? Where do these migrant workers live now as I thought they were living off Cannon Rd, near the Strawberry Fields? Please pass along any information to me in regards to this “proposed” migrant site. Thank you for your valued time. Sincerely, Sally Waite 1239 Mariposa Road Carlsbad, CA 92009 sawaite@pacbell.net From: "Albert Rex" <alrex43@adelphia.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/21/03 5:18PM Subject: Re: Migrant Worker Housing Hi Craig, I live on Torreyanna Circle in the Shorepointe subdivision in Carlsbad, which is very close to the proposed "Aviara" location for Migrant Worker Housing. My wife and I truly enjoy being in this area, as do our two children who are ages 3 and 8. However, I need to voice my concerns over choosing this site as a location for the Migrant Worker Housing - which can be broken down into two areas: - My home sits on the curve of Torreyanna Circle and overlooks this "Aviara" location. I paid a premium to purchase this "view" lot, and am extremely worried over-the impact on the value of my home. In addition, my wife and I often enjoy evenings in our back yard and/or relaxing on our upstairs balcony, both of which overlook this proposed location. I think you can understand my concern over the impact on the value of my home if these modular homes are brought into this area. - I've been told there will be a high concentration of single, male workers in this modular home area. Being a parent of young children (especially an 8 year old girl), I can tell you I'm extremely concerned. My daughter often rides her bike in the neighborhood, and plays with her friends in the street and their front yards. If this housing existed before I moved into Shorepointe, I would NEVER have even considered this location. North San Diego County and Carlsbad still has a lot of undeveloped land, much of which is is not closely located to residential areas. My wish is that the City reconsider other locations for this housing project. Thank you in advance for your help, and hearing my concerns. Sincerely, AI Rex 6450 Torreyanna Circle Carlsbad, CA 92009 Cell (760)473-8572 I Craig Ruiz "< - Temporary Migrant Farmworker Housing Page .I/ , 1 . J . From: "Jim Neeleman" <nlmngreetu@adelphia.net> To: ccruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/21/03 9:33PM Subject: Temporary Migrant Farmworker Housing Mr. Craig D. Ruiz Management Analyst cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us Re: Temporary Migrant Farmworker Housing Aviara Parkway and Palomar Airport Road Dear Mr. Ruiz: As a resident and taxpayer living in the Shorepointe housing tract near Aviara Parkway and Palomar Airport Road, I respectfully request that the property near this residential community be removed from consideration for migrant farmworker housing. It is my understanding that a Temporary Housing Task Force has been formed to look into this matter and that the goal of the task force is to come up with a community-based and sensitive solution to this issue. I am concerned about the possibility of placing farmworker housing adjacent to my neighborhood. There is an abundance of children in my neighborhood that would be put at risk as well as the SlMS retired missionary housing complex that would place senior citizens at the front line and closest to the proposed farmworker shelter site. This proposal would be an unfair burden to a neighborhood that already has low income housing and airport traffic to deal with. Once again, I respectfully request that the Aviara Parkway and Palomar Airport Road location be removed from consideration for this farmworker shelter. Sincerely, Mr. & Mrs. James D. Neeleman 1255 Mariposa Road Carlsbad, CA 92009 760 931 -0995 From: George Bonaduce <gbonaduce@adelphia.net> To: <cru iz@ci.carlsbad .ca.us> Date: 7/21/03 10:32PM Subject: Migrant worker housing plan Dear Mr. Ruiz, My husband and I live in Shorepointe/Carlsbad, the closest housing tract to one of the city's choices for the migrant worker camp. I am not one of the worried mothers concerned about their children's safety. I have seen nothing but kind faces on the young (and old) workers' faces, when I see them in our local markets, or trudging alongside the busy streets with their little bags of groceries after their hard day of work in the fields. My worry is for the workers themselves. I think they need a quieter place than the busy corner of Palomar Airport Rd and Aviara Parkway! Not only is it so very close to the traffic, but it is an extremely BRIGHT intersection. Not to mention the AIRPLANES from Palomar Airport buzzing directly over their heads. It's bad enough listening to those Learjets overhead when we're in our quiet, sound protected homes, let alone if they were passing over my head while I was engulfed in nothing more than a thin walled "shed.'' Please convince the "committee" who will make the decision to be compassionate for the workers' plight, and find a more appropriate area, and hopefully an area which will be more welcoming to them. Perhaps one with a few trees for protection, not just an open field, for heavens sake. They deserve better, after toiling in the fields picking the fruits and vegetables which appear on all our tables every day! Peggy & George Bonaduce Shorepointe Owners From: To: Date: 7/22/03 8:OlAM Subject: Migrant Worker Housing "Jim Plotkin - The Plotkin Group" <jim@plotkingroup.com> <cruiz@ci .cads bad .ca. us> Craig, As a resident at Shorepointe, just off of Aviara and Palomar Airport Road, and for many reasons our household is 100% against temporary housing on this corner or any other corner near our neighborhood. Sincerely, Jim Plotkin 11 74 Mariposa Road Carlsbad CA 92009 From: "Ebert, Bob" <BEbert@palomar.edu> To: <cru iz@ci.carlsbad .ca.us> Date: 7/22/03 12:22PM Subject: Opposed to temporary housing at corner of Aviara Parkway and Palomar Airport Road As a neighbor near the corner of Aviara Parkway and Palomar Airport Road, I am opposed to this location for "temporary" hoursing for migrant workers for the following reasons: 1. This area is a major vocal point for thousands of tourists and business people arriving in Carlsbad. I don't think it wise or good planning to place migrant worker housing in this prime location. 2. This corner is buzy, noisy, and unsave for a high density of people, many of whom are will be walking. This are no sidewalks in much of this area which will pose a traffic hazard for the many cars moving in four directions. 3. The area is not as close to agricultural work sites as other areas. Thus, this location will require more extensive transportation than would be required from other locations. 4. This type of house will not produce a high quality entrance to Aviara Parkway, which leads to one of the more prestegious housing areas in Carlsbad. If the city hopes to continue to draw citizens who will want to purchanse the expensive homes in this area the enterance needs to be of high quality and attactive. Robert Ebert 11 87 Mariposa Road Carlsbad, CA From: "DAWN FAUSNER <fausner@adelphia.net> To: "Craig ruiz" <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/22/03 1 1 :09PM Subject: Migrant workers in the neighborhood Dear Craig, Hello I am a concerned homeowner living in the Aviara/Palomar Airport Rd area. My name is Dawn Fausner and I just purchased a home in Shorepoint Subdivision. I am concerned because I made quite an investment (my life's savings) and I want to keep it a worthwile investment. I am wanting to make my decision to stop the camp/housing from going into effect because of my home and family. I was supprised that the note from Kevin Whiting had not come sooner. I have been landscaping and trying to get my home in order and therefore I have been very busy with all the goings on. I can not belive the city would try to open a camp when I as a homeowner have been working so hard to make this area my home. I will have to disagree strongly that this doesn't pass. I would not like to see anything get out of hand and or have some worker walk on my property when he/she feels like it. I don't know who I should contact but please don't let this happen. I have made Carlsbad my home and wouldn't like to feel threatened by some wandering migrant worker. It is bad enough that airplane fly over my home and now this. It is unquestionably irresponsibe and has to be stopped. Please keep me informed. Thank you D. Fausner July 23,2003 City of Carlsbad Temporary Housing Task Force 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 cc: Carlsbad City Council To Whom It May Concern: This letter is wiitten on behalf of the Carlsbad Shorepointe Homeowners Association (HOA), which consists of 167 homeowners. The migrant worker housing issue was raised during our last HOA meeting and several homeowners expressed extreme concern over the consideration of the placement of this type of housing at Aviara ParkwayPalomar Airport Road. A number of concerned residents have gone door to door discussing this matter with other homeowners, the large majority of whom are strongly opposed to placing the migrant housing at this location. It is clearly understood that housing for migrant workers is an issue. No one wishes for any human being to be exposed to the elements or to have substandard living conditions. This situation is a very sensitive political, social and economic issue. With that being said, the City of Carlsbad needs to respond in a manner that serves these individuals, while not sacrificing the needs and safety of the existing residents and still maintaining the high development standards it requires of all other development. A reoccurring question remains.. . Why is this, or even should this be, a burden to the existing community? Most of the agricultural farmers in Carlsbad have been farming these properties for over forty years, well before any of our homes or businesses existed in this area. Yet migrant worker housing is now suddenly a problem. Why wasn’t housing provided for these individuals years ago? The farmers have gotten cheap labor for years and obviously never cared where these individuals were sleeping at night. If it were not for the many non-profit organizations stepping forward and bringing this situation to everyone’s attention, they would have continued to take advantage of these people with no worry as to their living conditions. The bottom line is that the farmers should be accommodating the housing on their property. It is agricultural housing and belongs on agriculture property! They created this situation and they should be held responsible for it! We are aware, however, that the City must provide affordable housing under numerous State and Federal regulations. The City has changed the manner in which affordable housing has been provided over the years. Currently, developers are required to provide affordable housing within or adjacent to any development that is being built in order to have better integration of low income households throughout the communiv. In fact, many of the homes within our neighborhood were delayed due to the construction of the affordable units being built adjacent to our development. The affordable housing units we speak of are very near the proposed site. The Federal government (through HUD) has recognized that the concentration of affordable or low income housing in one location is not desirable; in fact they encourage the “de-concentration” of low-income households. Shouldn’t we follow the example of the Federal government? There are also social issues that no one seems to speak about. Do the people that this housing is intended for have the proper work permits? Are they here legally? Who insures that the farmers have obtained the appropriate documents? Will someone from the City be verifying these documents? Further, who will be managing these facilities? Is there an off-season where these units could be vacant or will it then become a homeless shelter? What will be done about vandalism? These questions should be answered before a site is selected. In addition, most of these individuals do not get the standard immunizations that are required in this country. Due to the influx of persons into our country fiom areas not having proper medical attention, the US is experiencing a rise in many communicable diseases that had become obsolete in our country. Although providing housing for these individuals is a worthy cause there are larger issues at stake than simply providing housing. Many homeowners have expressed concern over the safety of the neighborhood. We have schools and day care centers located in close proximity to this location. We hear that statistically speaking there is no increase in crime associated with migrant worker housing; however, we’ve also heard that there are currently there over 100 migrant workers facing extradition by the US government for murder and hundreds more on theft charges. Can the City insure the safety of our children and our homes? What can be done to prevent incidents from occurring? How will you respond if there is an incident? Who will take responsibility for these individuals? The reason people enjoy living in Carlsbad is a quality of life issue. This City has wonderful parks, community programs, ample shopping, good roads and high quality housing developments. The City has gone to great efforts to insure a certain standard of development and it clearly shows. Is the City willing to lower the standards and allow for modular or mobile homes to be constructed, just because the housing is being built by a non-profit developer? If “Joe” developer came in proposing a market rate development using this type of housing construction he would be laughed out of City Hall. Even the affordable apartments adjacent to our own development have been built at just as high a standard as the market rate developments. Please do not lower your standards now! We understand and agree that some sort of housing should be made available to these agriculture workers. We do, however, have concerns regarding who is responsible for its development and its location, appearance and safety. As long as the City proposes to place migrant worker housing adjacent to an existing development rather than near the farms where the work is done, there will be an outcry from the community and a room full of angry “tax paying voters”. On behalf of the Shorepointe and Surfpointe homeowners, the entire Board of the Carlsbad Shorepointe Homeowners Association is requesting that you please keep our serious concerns in mind while making this important decision. From: <MELISCHIEF@aol.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad .ca. us> Date: 7/23/03 1 : 14PM Subject: Mlgrant worker and housing I just got off the phone with Mr. Kevin Whiting,(one of my neighbors). I could not believe his image of migrant workers as pedophiles. His letter seem to be bias to create community fear of these hard working less fortunate souls. We all know without their work at such meager salary we would be paying extraordinarily more for our fruits and vegetables. Maybe it's not the first choice for most, and I admit I love viewing the open land and the lights of the holiday pumpkin patch or tree lot. Mr. Whiting left out large pieces of the facts in his letter that was a copy of the e-mail he sent to you on or about 7/11/03. The migrant worker is not here to rape our children. He is here to make money for his family. The location of Aviara Road/Palomar Airport Road is not the only considered location. Last I brought to his attention that if his concerns of the resale and property value why is he not actively showing concern of the defacement being done by the children on his own cudde-sak and the violations of home association rules such as skaters ramps and basketball hopes on the street and sidewalk that or left day after day to block the sidewalks from the kind elderly who walk our area and cannot use the sidewalks. Anyway, I think that all information including the rate of predators needs to be honestly expressed. I am sure a logical and practical answer will be the end result. If Palomar/Aviara ends up being the most practical answer than so be it. Melissa Clark 6422 Torreyanna Circle Carlsbad, CA 92009 From: <Morad.Razmiafshari@VIVASCIENCE.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad .cas us> Date: 7/24/03 10:44AM Subject: Migrant Housing Project Craig D. Ruiz Management Analyst City of Carlsbad Housing and Redevelopment Department 760-434-281 7 Dear Mr. Ruiz, We reside at the Shorepointe sub-division off of Mariposa Road. We were informed by our neighbors that the city of Carlsbad is proposing to establish a migrant worker carnplhousing at the Aviara Pkwy / Palomar airport Road intersection. We strongly oppose to this proposal and discourage the city of Carlsbad to pursue with their plan due to the fact that prior to moving here, we were told by various realtors and nearby residents that this areakommunity was supposed to be an upscale (zip code 92009) residential area. Based on published data, CarlsbadIAviara community mostly is composed of we1 Led uca ted res iden ts. Shorepointe officials never informed us of these down-scaling or down-grading property value related issues. If you have noticed within a few miles in all directions, city has established nice businesses such as Carlsbad company stores, the Palisades resort, flower field, Leg0 land and some well designed professional buildings. I have also heard that a golf course is proposed off of College Blvd, Therefore, A migrant working housing just does not fit. The city will jeopardize the safety, security and road conditions of our community. I am really concern about the thought process of the team or group(s) who bring up these awkward ideas or plans for such a neighborhood. We always compare Carlsbad (A Coastal Village) with Del Mar and La Jolla, would their city plan the same? I think it would be a slap on the face. Thank you for your cooperation. Best Regards, Sean Razmi Sean Razrni, Ph.D. Technical Support Scientist VIVASCIENCE, Inc. 2720 Loker Avenue West, Suite C Carlsbad, CA. 92008 sean.razmi@vivascience.com Toll Free (877) 452-2345 Option # 2 Fax: 760-918-8281 Phone: 760-91 8-1 537 From: "Kevin M. Mahan" <krnahan@cts.com> To: "CRAIG D. RUE" <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 7/24/03 4:31 PM Subject: MIGRANT HOUSING ON AVIARA Dear Mr. Ruiz: I will be in attendance at the meeting scheduled for 6:OO pm on July 24, 2003, to express my concerns, objections, insights and alternatives. Sincerely, Kevin M. Mahan 1218 Mariposa Rd. Carlsbad, CA 92009 760-268-01 46 From: To: <cruiz@ci .carlsbad .ca.us> Date: 8/6/03 8:OOPM Subject: Migrant Worker Housing "Don and Valerie Harnois" <donandval87@adelphia.net> August 6,2003 Craig D. Ruiz City of Carlsbad Housing and Redevelopment 2965 Roosevelt Street, Suite B Carlsbad, CA 92008-2389 Re: Proposed Migrant Worker Housing Dear Craig: The purpose of this letter is to state my opinion regarding the migrant worker housing proposed for the intersection of Palomar Airport Road and Aviara Parkway. I am a property owner in the Shorepointe development and was advised as to the migrant worker housing proposal by our neighbors Kevin and Giannina Whiting. I have also read some recent articles on this topic and have several concerns and/or observations. The Plight of the Migrant Workers First of all, let me state that I in no way begrudge the migrant workers or their efforts to earn an honest living. I believe these people are hard workers, and they are filling jobs that would otherwise go unfilled. In fact, I sympathize with these migrant workers and I think they are unfairly being taken advantage of by the farmers that are happy to pay them low wages, but are unwilling to provide them with basic housing. The Cost / Benefit Question I am a business man, and the thing that strikes me immediately is that the person or persons benefiting from the cheap migrant worker labor ought to be the ones providing these workers with housing. I manage a small chain of retail businesses, and if we paid our employees at a wage that was insufficient for them to be able to afford traditional housing, I don't think the communities where we operate would allow our employees to construct shanty towns in the nearby fields. When the communities of Carlsbad are forced to endure the existence of shanty towns constructed by the migrant workers, they are accordingly forced to suffer financial losses due to the devaluation of their properties. This is essentially subsidizing the farms that benefit from the cheap migrant labor. If the City of Carlsbad were to actually construct housing at its own cost, this would be a more direct form of subsidy. My research on this topic has failed to reveal any indication that the local farms have offered to provide any benefits to the residents of Carlsbad in exchange for this subsidy. I cannot believe the ability to cheaply purchase locally grown strawberries is a significant and pervasive benefit to the residents of Carlsbad. Further, I have noted in the articles I have read on this topic, that Leslie Farms and the other farms benefiting from the cheap migrant labor have been curiously absent from this debate. I think the City of Carlsbad needs to bring these farms into the forefront of this issue, and to hold the farms responsible for the resolution of this issue which they have thrust upon the various communities in Carlsbad. As a Shorepointe Resident and Property Owner I also have some basic concerns regarding the proposed Palomar Airport Road / Aviara Parkway site as a Shorepointe property owner, as a husband and as a father of two small children. The residents in the areas adjacent to the current shanty towns have reported instances of criminal activity, drunkenness and violence from the migrant workers * Other reports tell of the migrant workers defecating, urinating and throwing their empty beer and liquor bottles on the surrounding areas and on residents' private property * Residents also reported they no longer felt safe allowing their children to walk to school or to nearby stores in the areas where migrant workers were living I don't see how any community in Carlsbad, or in any city, would invite these types of problems into their neighborhood, and I cannot see how the Carlsbad city officials could, with a clear conscience, subject any Carlsbad community to these conditions. Further, I cannot see how the officials of the City of Carlsbad could attempt to single-out any particular community in Carlsbad to bear the migrant housing burden when it is not willing to offer land owned by the City of Carlsbad to address this problem. Worst of all, construction of migrant worker housing at the proposed Palomar Airport Road / Aviara Parkway site will not eliminate or solve any of these problems, it will only serve to centralize the above noted types of criminal and uncivil activity in the area adjacent to the Shorepointe development. It is impractical to think that only 64 workers would take-up residence in the proposed 64 bed facility, and it is also unrealistic to think that the types of criminal and uncivil activity reported by neighbors of existing migrant worker shanty towns will magically cease upon construction of a housing facility. Summary I am strongly opposed to the Carlsbad Temporary Housing Task Force's recommendation to locate migrant worker housing in the areas around the Shorepointe development, in particular the Palomar Airport Road / Aviara Parkway site. I strongly urge the City of Carlsbad to make the farms that benefit from the cheap migrant worker labor accountable for providing these workers with basic housing. Alternatively, I strongly urge the City of Carlsbad to find other solutions that do not unfairly place the migrant worker burden upon the shoulders of the Shorepointe residents and property owners. Yours truly, Donald H. Harnois, Jr. 6478 Torreyanna Circle Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 438-3763 From: <JJHaywardl Qaol.com> To: <Dfoun Qci.carlsbad.ca.us>, <Council Qci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/20/03 951 PM Subject: Migrant Farm Workers Camp Dear Debbie Fountain and the members of the Carlsbad City Council: I am sending this e-mail urging the City Council to PLEASE NOT put a migrant farm workers camp on Aviara Parkway, between Laurel Tree and Palomar Airport Road. I am concerned that this project would create a serious safety problem for our children and the surrounding area. There is zero doubt in my mind that this type of development would also unquestionably reduce the property values of the homes in the nearby area which creates a whole new set of problems for homeowners, banks and other mortgage lenders as well as the city and county. I moved to this area because I saw a safe environment to raise a family with Pacific Rim Elementary School and Poinsettia Park nearby, NOT A MIGRANT FARM WORKERS CAMP! Please do not go forward with any more consideration of this project at this location because if I were to stay here I would be worrying day and night about my children's safety. This location is totally unacceptable! I would suggest an industrial area as a more appropriate location if the Council believes it needs taxpayers to fund housing for farm workers. With kindest regards, James Hayward 6559 Robinea Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009 cc: <tatjana.hayward@ey.com> From: <Robbyjosephine@aol.com> To: <DfounQci.carlsbad.ca.us>, <Council @ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/21 103 6:08AM Subject: Migrant Farmworkers Camp As a resident of Seaside Heights in Carlsbad, I ask that you please consider an alternative site to the corner of Palomar Airport Road and Aviara Parkway for the Migrant Farmworkers Camp. Perhaps a site in the industrial areas, requiring the farm owners to pay the bill, or the corner of Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real (where there are no residential units) would be more appropriate. Thank you for your consideration. From: "Grant Rabjohn" grant ah-flightmedia.com> To : <Dfoun Qci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/21/03 9:48AM Subject: Migrant Farm workers Camp To Whom It May Concern: As a homeowner at 1206 Plum Tree Road in Carlsbad I am outraged that you would even consider such a pathetic plan/location for a migrant farm workers camp near our Aviara neighborhood. This area is, without question, the finest and most respected living area in all of North County and I am personally appalled that your so-called expertise as a housing and redevelopment expert would even consider such a move. I assure you that the legal ramifications against the City of Carlsbad will be swift and costly if such an action is taken. If you have a public opinion that you'd like to share with me on this matter, please reply via email immediately to this address. As I'm sure you can tell by the tone of my message and those of a similar nature from my neighbors, we do not take this threat of an immediate devaluation of our property lightly. We have worked very hard for many years to afford our home and will protect it at any cost against general incompetence and the same poor thinking that will also bring an immediate safety risk to our children. Please get back to me with your official comments on this matter ---- Thank you, Grant L. Rabjohn COO/Executive Director In-flight Media Associates, Inc. ph. 760.944.6575, ext. 102 fx. 760.944.6576 www.in-flightmedia.com cc: <Council Qci.carlsbad.ca.us> From: <deefolse Q netzero.net> To: <Dfoun Q ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/24/03 2:33PM Subject: Migrant farm workers camp on Palomar Airport Rd Please donot put a housing camp for farmworkers in a residential neighborhood. Im concerned for the safety of my kids living so close to a typically adult male housing project. Im also very concerned that our community will look like Encinitas Blvd. or Homedepot parking lot with adult men hanging out on the streets and corners, swarming cars if they slow and leaving trash behind when they go in the evening. Homedepot and the owners of the Bussiness' on Encinitas Blvd have had to hire Security Guards for the customers safety and to keep the traffic flowing. PLEASE donot let this happen to a residential neiborhood. My family lives in Shorepoint. PLEASE look into other locations in a more industrailized area. Thankyou for your time Dee Folse and Family. From: eSAMLEXBOBMITY @aol.com> To: <Dfoun @ci.carlsbad.ca.us>, <Council @ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/24/03 3:51 PM Subject: migrant camp Dear Ms. Fountain, putting a migrant camp consisting of modular homes near Aviara and Palomar Airport Road. I would like to let you know this is unacceptable to myself and many of my neighbors. We moved into this area of Carlsbad because of the area and the value of the homes. With this camp, I believe our property values will be adversely affected and this camp could create a safety problem for my children. If a camp is neccesary, why not use land in the industrial area near the airport? We are very concerned!!! Please let us know if there is a council meeting on this coming up and what else we can do to have our voices heard. It has come to our attention that the city council is considering I feel you need to know how the current homeowners feel about this camp. Sincerely, Mike Schneider 6484 Goldenbush Dr 760 438-5907 From: "DAWN FAUSNER <fausner@adelphia.net> To: "Craig ruiz" <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/25/03 7:46AM Subject: Housing and Redevelopment Dept. Dear Craig, I am an interested and concerned neighbor in the Shorepoint Subdivision Carlsbad, CA. I have spoken to you previously regarding the concern that I have for migrant workers being relocated in this area. I would love to be at the meeting on Tuesday night however I work full time so I will not be able to attend. I want my voice heard that I disagree with the plans to have Migrant workers live in this area. I will help you if I can to write to any Councilman or Councilwoman for assistance in this matter. I am hopeful that the meeting goes well and good luck. Thank you for your help. Dawn Fausner 1298 Mariposa Rd., Carlsbad, CA 92009. From: "Cherie Coats" <cheriecoats@iglide.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/25/03 8:52AM Subject: Migrant housing shelters in Carlsbad This email is sent as a follow up to our telephone conversation last week in which you informed me there were several sites in Carlsbad being considered for migrant worker shelters. Our family is currently on a priority list to purchase a home in the new Shea Homes development of Spyglass Hills (off Cannon Rd). The latest release of homes carried sales prices in the $850,000 range. We obviously would be concerned about property values should a shelter be located in this vicinity. Please pass along our concerns to your constituents as they consider potential sites. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Cherie and Russell Coats cc: <cheriecoats@iglide.net> From: "T Doan" CsddandtddQ hotmail.com> To: <dfoun @ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/25/03 10:37AM Subject: migrant housing It has come to my attention, that the City of Carlsbad is considering placing migrant housing at the corner of Laurel Tree and Aviara. I am OPPOSED to this location. We have MORE than our share of LOW income housing in this area! Why are you considering placing the housing near homes high cost homes. Do you care about the property values of the legal, taxpaying citizens of this city! Are our tax dollars paying for this research study? It seems that the taxes paid by the citizens of Carlsbad, should be spent on the needs of the residents of CARLSBAD, NOT on the needs of migrant workers! T Doan MSN 8: Get 6 months for $9.95/month. http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup From: ann welton ~anniel3035@yahoo.com> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad .ca. us> Date: 8/25/03 3:41 PM Subject: Palomar/Aviara corner lot As home owners in the Cherry Tree Walk association in Carlsbad, we are very concerned to hear of Farm Worker Housing project being considered for the Palomar/Aviara corner lot. We are very disturbed about the potential impact of this on our property value in Carlsbad, and would not be at all happy to have migrant farm workers and their families located in close-by trailers. We are very interested in learning more about this topic and would like to request a copy of the recent meeting minutes via e-mail. We would also like to be informed of the next council meeting when this topic is scheduled to be discussed. Jeff and Ann Welton 6639 Daylily Drive Carlsbad, Ca. 92009 Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com From: ~ccurran7@juno.com~ To: <Cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/26/03 9:04AM Subject: Re: Temporary Farm Worker Housing Shelter Task Force Thank you for your update. I will be looking for the notification of the meeting of the temporary housing then from you. I understand that the main reason for the site on Palomar Airport RdIAviara is because this is land owned by the farmers but can't be utilized for other purposes because of the power lines. This is obviously not a good reason to place 100+ men in a housing camp and put at risk 100's of families with children as a result. There are many, many concerned families in this neighborhood and hope the city of Carlsbad is working very seriously to develop an appropriate alternative solution to this problem. Thank you, Caryn Curran homeowner, Carlsbad-Shorepointe From: "Pierson" <bapalapQ adelphia.net> To: <dfoun Q ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/26/03 251 PM Subject: Migrant Farmworkers Camp Debbie Fountain Housing Redevelopment Director We have been informed that the city of Carlsbad is considering placing a Migrant Farmworkers Camp between Laurel Tree & Palomar Airport Rd. We can't even believe that this location is being considered. As a homeowner in this particular area we completely oppose such a development. There are far more acceptable places in Carlsbad than this site and feel if the City Council was truly acting in the best interest of their community as well as the interest of the farmworkers, they would be seeking a farm or industrial area for this housing placement. Personally, the responsibility should be on the farmers in this community to house their workers as it's been done in the past, however, if the council feels that it's the taxpayers responsibility to fund such a program then at least the council could use some good common sense to find a location that benefits everyone(residents & farmworkers alike). This residential area and busy Aviara Parkway street location will be a recipe for disaster if this project is approved by the City Council of Carlsbad. So we stronly urge you to please take the time to find a more suitable location for this particular farmworkers camp. Mrs. Laura Pierson 6564 Bluebonnet Drive Carlsbad CA 92009 cc: <council Qci.carlsbad.ca.us> 1 Debbie Fountain - Temporary Farm worker housinq Shelter Page I 1 From: jim curran <jimcurran4141 Qnetscape.net> To: <Council @ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/26/03 4:12PM Subject: Temporary Farm worker housing Shelter Dear City of Carlsbad Council, I wanted to send you a vote of "NO" on the proposed Migrant Worker site of Laurel Canyon, which is really the proposed site on the corner of Palomar Airport Road and Aviara Parkway. I am in favor of helping to house these 180 illegal aliens, but not at the Laurel Canyon site. There are pleanty of good City land sites that have been taken off of the "proposed site list". There are all the wrong reasons for the proposed Laurel Canyon Site. 1. The area already has low income housing that has been zoned under the policies of the City of Carlsbad and approved by the City. I know because I had to wait 4 extra months for the low income housing to be built before I could move into my home. This meant that I had to pay for four extra months of rent instead of a mortgage. 2. I am from a farming community up north in San Benito County. The migrant workers always lived on the farms in temporary housing. The farmers paid for, and built the housing for, the employees, the migrant workers, in San Benito County. Why am I going to be forced to pay, in a round about way, a subsidy for Leslie Farms employees. Wow!!! If I could get Leslie Farms or the City of Carlsbad to pay for my empolyees that would be great. 1 could completely reduce my cost. But wait, that would be unfair, and I may have to get the AFLCIO involved. And then, Leslie Farms will get to sell land that is un sellable because of its location and the looming power lines overhead. 3. The site has a very hi visibility, in the community, and it is a dangerous intersection for the workers to cross. Danger, hi-visibility, and location were the main reasons for taking off the other city land sites. I don't get that at all. Who took off those sites? They are obviously better sites. 4. Also, there are hi voltage powerlines that are directly over the site. It is a fact that living under high voltage powerlines can be hazardous to your health. Are you ok with locating these 180 guys in a hazardous area? 5. 180 guys living in the same place. Even with the supervision of the management company that is going to manage the property, there are going to be problems. 1 do not want that in my neighborhood. I want a safe neighborhood for my kids to play in. That is why I moved here. 6. I am a hard working American, and have spent alot of time and my own money, not Carlsbad's, deciding where I wanted to live. I did not come to Carlsbad to live next to a Migrant worker community!!!!! Finally, most of us in our community were not even informed that this Migrant Worker, site was selected at Laura1 Canyon. I believe this was a decietful attempt on the part of whom ever wants this project to succeed is deplorable. Please be responsible in your decision as elected officials to do the right thing for the workers and the community or you will not hear the end of it!!!!! You may call me if you would like. Jim Curran 121 3 Mariposa Road Carlsbad, CA 92009 760.929.1 243 From: "Gates, Robert" <RGates@hca.co.orange.ca.us> To: "'cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us"' <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/26/03 10:36AM Subject: Migrant Housing Mr. Ruiz: I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Mariners Point Community Association. A neighbor of mine has expressed concern about migrant housing in our community, and has urged the Board of Directors to take a position on this issue. The neighbor gave me your email address. I would appreciate receiving any information you can provide about this matter. Where is this housing proposed to be located? How many units? Who qualifies to live there? Etc. Bob Gates 6748 Lemon Leaf Drive Carlsbad, CA From: "Wolfson,David" <dwolfson @ unitedauto.com> To: <Dfoun @ ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/27/03 7:12AM Subject: Migrant farm workers I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that there is major concern growing in our neighborhood regarding the possibility of a migrant farm worker camp being proposed on the corner of Aviara and Palomar Airport Rd. I live in Seaside Heights near Poinsettia and Aviara Rd. we moved there to enjoy the ocean views of Carlsbad and the upscale lifestyle of that area. Having a mobile home park filled with migrant workers at a main entrance to our community is not my idea good planning, nor will it help the values in that area. It will surely bring them down. Then you have major security and safety concerns of the neighborhood. This is not to say the migrants are bad people, but it would be normal to have an increase in crime if you have the truly poor living walking distance from million dollar neighborhoods. I hope this situation has just been exaggerated to me by people in my area and that you are not really considering putting this camp in such a prime residential neighborhood. If we must have this camp, I would hope you would use a remote area or even somewhere in the business park and not my backyard. Thanks for your consideration in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at any time. David Wolfson General Manager Lexus Kearny Mesa (858) 268-8000 ...................................................................... This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please delete all copies and notify the system manager at security@unitedauto.com. ..................................................................... cc: <Council @ci.carlsbad.ca.us> I Debbie Fountain - Migrant Farmworkers Camp Page I I From: "Mickie Henshall" em henshallQqbiogene.com> To: cDfoun Qci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/27/03 1 :32PM Subject: Migrant Farmworkers Camp Dear Ms. Fountain, I am a resident of the Shorepointe community located just off of Aviara Parkway. I am writing to you in the hopes of receiving some clarification in regards to information that has been passed throughout our neighborhood. Supposedly, the Carlsbad City Council is seriously considering placing a migrant farmworkers camp just around the corner on Aviara, between Laurel Tree and Palomar Airport Rd. It was stated that this will be appearing on the agenda for the Sept. 9th meeting. Is this information true? If it is true, what would be the most effective steps to put an immediate stop to this action? I do not understand the logic of placing a camp in this residential community. Why hasn't consideration been given to the open areas in the industrial sections of town?? My husband and I certainly did not move into a neighborhood where the medium home price is $600,000 so that we could be around the corner from a shanty town. Please tell me that our neighbor is crazy! Regards, Mickie Henshall cc: cCouncilQci.carlsbad.ca.us> Debbie Fountain - Farmworkers camp on Aviara(between Palomar Airport and Laurel tree) Page 1 1 From: <Russ-Henshall@ WR.COM> To: cdfoun @ci.carlsbad.ca.us>, <CouncilQci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/27/03 1 :49PM Subject: Farmworkers camp on Aviara(between Palomar Airport and Laurel tree) Debbie and City Council Members, I was notified by a neighbor that there are plans to have modular homes(mobi1e homes) placed off of Aviara(between Palomar Airport and Laurel tree) as farmworker housing. I am concerned about the surrounding property value. I just moved here and and as I'm sure know, it is very expensive to buy a home here. From what I have seen of these types of camps, there are usually old beat up cars, overcrowding, and an overall safety concern by the folks who live nearby. This is a very nice area and I'm concerned that this might degrade the development Can you tell me what the plans are and when is it suppposed come before the City council? Thanks, Russ Russ Henshall 6488 Goldenbush Dr Carlsbad, Ca. 92009 ................................................................................................................ The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged, confidential and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this e-mail message in error please e-mail the sender and delete the message. Thank you ................................................................................................................. From: kelly stern ckellysbaskets @yahoo.com> To : edfoun @ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/27/03 3:17PM Subject: Migrant Farmworkers' Camp Hello, my name is Kelly Stern and I am a resident of Seaside Heights development in Carlsbad. I am very concerned to learn that the City is considering a migrant workers camp in my community between Laurel Tree and Palomar Airport Rd. I am concerned about this on several levels. First, I am upset that the mello roos that I pay, along with other taxes are going to be spent to house migrant workers. This is not the city of Carlsbads issue but rather the farmers who employee these individuals. Why can't the farmers who need this labor and turn a profit from it, use some space on their private property for these camps. At a time when money is tight for parks and schools I am very disappointed that my tax money would be used for something like this. Second, I think any time that you bring a group of migrant individuals in to a residential area you are asking for problems. These people have no ties to our community and therefore will not be concerned about their actions while here. I am very concerned about Poinsettia park and this issue. There are many people with children in this area and I think bringing people who are only here temporarily, and have no ties or commitment to this area is a huge mistake. I am very disappointed to hear that this is even being considered. I really do not understand how something that is the farmers issue has become the Cities issue. As a concerned citizen I would encourage you to put this responsibility on the farmers and let them sacrifice some of their own farm land to house the workers that they need to bring in to our area. If the city has extra money, that property would serve our community better as a park or library. Sincerely, Kelly Stern 6558 Robinea Dr. Carlsbad, CA 92009 760-438-4475 From: Amy Brooker <sunsetyogagoddess@yahoo.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/27/03 3:18PM Subject: Subsidized Housing- Aviara + Palomar Craig Ruiz, I am a Carlsbad resident and I am writing to you to share my displeasure and astonishment at the city's plans to build subsidized housing on the corner of Palomar Airport Road and Aviara Parkway. Although I do not live in the immediate vicinity, I drive by quite often. The area is well-known for it's tranquility and richness and adding modular housing will only take all that away. With the city's plan to add a golf course directly across the street from the proposed housing, it seems odd that they would add modular homes to ruin the overall peacefulness of the area. Not only would building those "homes" add more traffic to the already intolerable line of cars that line Palomar Airport Road every afternoon, it would also bring in the possibility of lowering the value of the stately homes that reside just up the street (and with some looking over the area of the new homes) from the new development. One of the main reasons I moved to Carlsbad was because it is safe and I would like it to stay that way. There are surely other areas where the subsidized housing could go in that would not so greatly affect the value of homes as well as the peacefulness and overall affect of the area. I am 100% against the input of modular homes in this area. Sincerely, Amy Autumn Brooker ................................. Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software From: <MUSE1 250@aol.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 8/30/03 7:09AM Subject: Modular Homes at Palomar / Aviara MR. RUIZ, LOCATION TO PLACE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING FOR THE MIGRANT FARM WORKER THEN THE CORNER OF PALOMAR AIRPORT BLVD. AND AVIARA. THERE ARE MANY EXPENSIVE HOMES IN THAT AREA. THESE HOME OWNERS PAY A GREAT AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAX, WHICH IS REVENUE TO THE CITY. THERE WOULD BE AN IMPACT ON PROPERTY VALUES IF THIS SITE WAS CHOSEN. WE ALREADY HAVE LOW INCOME APARTMENTS AND THE AIRPORT TO DEAL WITH, I'M SURE THERE ARE BETTER LOCATIONS. BE MORE SUITED FOR A SHOPPING CENTER WITH SOME RESTAURANTS, CONSIDERING THE FUTURE GOLF COURSE GOING IN ACROSS THE STREET AND EXPANSION BEING CONSTRUCTED AT EL CAMINO AND PALOMAR AIRPORT BLVD. WE DEFINITELY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA. EVER TRY TO GO TO ISLANDS RESTAURANT ON A FRIDAY I'M DISAPPOINT THAT THE CITY CAN'T FIND A MORE SUITABLE IT SEEMS TO ME TO THAT THE PALOMAR I AVIARA CORNER WOULD NIGHT? PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF THE NEXT CITY MEETING TO COVER THIS TOPIC. DENNIS MUSE 6418 TORREYANNA CIR CARLSBAD, CA. EMAIL: MUSE1 250@aol.com From: <WalkatTwo@aol.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us.>, <MayorClaudeA."Bud"Lewis@ci.carlsbad.ca.us.> Date: Subject: Modular Homes Palomar/Aviara Corner Mayor Lewis and Mr. Ruiz, I am a 73 year old retiree. My wife and I purchased our home at 6430 Torreyanna Cirlce in Shorepointe at the end of 2002. We had looked forward to finding a suitable home in Carlsbad for some time. We are delighted to be here. Carlsbad is the kind of community we have been looking for. But, we now hear that Carlsbad may be about to ignore its taxpaying homeowners and establish a modular community for migrant workers at the corner of Palomar Airport Road and Aviara Parkway. We are concerned about the negative impact such a development would have on nearby real estate values as well as our safety. I would like to ask each city council member if they would welcome this as a neighbour. We do not want to live in a city where the elected officials would have so little regard for the voting residents. Please reconsider and find a more suitable location. 8/30/03 1 1 : 1 3AM ".. Please advise us of the date and time that this matter will be brought before the City Council. Walter & Katherine Norris 6430 Torreyanna Circle Carlsbad, CA 92009 >>> Kathy Valasek <mkva@sbcalobal.net> 09/02/03 01 :17PM >>> Ms. Debbie Fountain Housing and Redevelopment Director Carlsbad CA Dear Debbie, I have heard that there may be proposal to establish a migrant farmworkers camp/housing project in the AviaraILaurel Tree/Palomar Airport Road area and that this may be on the council agenda for September 9,2003. Would you please direct me to current information on this matter? I am a new homeowner in the area and would like to know of such proposals. In advance, thank you for your assistance. K. Valasek >>> <Chika94@aol.com> 09/03/03 09:OOAM >>> I cannot believe when I found out about the plan for these modular homes to be placed at the proposed location. Do you have any idea what that will do to our home values? Never mind to the security of our area. I strongly oppose this project and urge you to find an alternate site. There must be hundreds of locations where these homes could be placed. Uschi Horton From: Kathy Valasek <mkva@sbcglobal.net> To: Date: 9/3/03 7:53AM Subject: ecru iz@ci .carls bad .ca. us> Proposed modular housing at AviaraIPalomar Craig, Would you please forward to me a copy of recent meeting minutes concerning the proposed modular housing at AviardPalomar as well as advise me on meetings when this topic is scheduled. I am a recent homeowner in this area and have concerns about whether this type of housing is appropriate for the area. Thanks, Kathy Valasek POB 131113 Carlsbad CA 9201 3 From: "Baxter, Bradley D." <BBaxter@kforce.com> To: "'cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us"' <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 9/3/03 6:09PM Subject: Request for meeting notes Dear Craig, As a resident of Seaside Estates, near the Aviara and Plum Tree intersections, I am concerned about the prospect of modular homes being built at Aviara and Palomar Airport Road. Please email me a copy of the meeting minutes from the recent meeting where this matter was discussed. Thanks, Brad Baxter bbaxter@kforce.com <mailto:bbaxter@kforce.com> From: "Bill Riggle" <briggle@adelphia.net> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 9/3/03 10:03PM Subject: farm worker housing Craig: My wife and I would like to receive a copy of the recent meeting minutes on the subsidized housing project being discussed for the intersection of Palomar Airport Road & Aviara Parkway. The various snippets of information we have received from home owners, etc, have not left us with a very good feeling about the project. Thus anything you could provide would be appreciated. William & Nichola Riggle 1242 Plum Tree Road Carlsbad From: "Rocca, Ron" <Ron.Rocca@elan.com> To: "'Cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us"' <Cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 9/8/03 2:20PM Subject: Voter and Tax Payer Dear Sir, I am tax paying resident of Seaside Estates and am concerned about the prospect of modular homes being built at Aviara and Palomar Airport Road. While I understand the need for affordable housing, I do not understand why the companies that benefit from the cheap labor do not set a side property on their farms for the labors. Would you be so kind as to pass along the name of the counsel people that vote for the housing site and a against the wishes of residence. Thank You, RR ............................................................. This communication and any files transmitted with it contain information which is confidential and may be privileged and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender. Thank you for your co-operation. ............................................................. From: "Richard Shlemmer Ph.D" <eap.esp@sbcglobal.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 9/9/03 10:04AM Subject: Temporary Housing for Farm Workers in Carlsbad Dear Craig Ruiz, Carlsbad has a tradition of caring set by their support of the La Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad. Do everything in your power to further temporary housing for farm workers. Sincerely, Richard L. Shlemmer, Ph.D Psychologist - Office in Carlsbad Village @ 740 Oak Ave. 1 Craig Ruiz -Farm Worker Housing Page1 1 From: "Piche, Suzanne" <SPiche@CHARTONE.COM> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 9/11 /03 12:02PM Subject: Farm Worker Housing Dear Mr. Ruiz, I am a resident and home owner in Carlsbad and am opposed to the erection of temporary housing for farm workers on the corner of Aviara and Palomar Airport Road. In my opinion, this is the wrong location not only for the residents of the Aviara community, but also for the farm workers. This type of housing on a busy road will not only take away from our pleasant Carlsbad by the sea community, but also seems to be quite a dangerous location for foot traffic that will inevitably occur. In addition, there are no stores in easy walking distance, making it very inconvenient as well as dangerous for the residents. There must be a better answer. Respectfully s u bm itted , Suzanne Piche 3121 Via Puerta Carlsbad. CA 92009 Confidentiality Notice: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipients and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. >>> "Suzy Weast" <sweast@athenavideo.com> 09/15/03 02:03PM >>> Dear Ms. Fountain, We do not agree with the city's proposal to place migrant housing in any residential area. We believe that it should be placed on or near the grower's property. I think it is a kick in the face to the homeowners who have worked long and hard to get into this neighborhood and who brave the commute to 'San Diego each workday. These houses haven't come easy for any of us. Please be assured that any council member who votes for this proposal will not recieve our votes in the next election. Thanks for your consideration. Robert & Suzanne Weast 6583 Robinea Drive Carlsbad,CA 92009 1607 Bittern Ct. Carlsbad, CA 92009 October 15,2007 (760) 603-8930 Housing and Redevelopment 2965 Roosevelt Street, Suite B Carlsbad, CA 92008-2389 Dear Craig, Enclosed are 20 sheets with signatures (and identrfylng information) of people who support “the City Council’s effort to provide a community-based solution to house the unaccompanied male fm worker in the City of Carlsbad.” I’ve also included the letter I sent to Mayor Bud Lewis (and to each of the other council members with minor variation in the wording). Each of them received the same 20 sheets of signatures. These signatures were collected in the summer as the members of the Community Out-reach committee spoke to various organizations: the Democratic Club, Carlsbad Village Business Club, Kiwanis, Lions Club, First Friday Chamber of Commerce, and Pilgrim United Church of Christ, and St. Patrick’s and St.Elizabeth Seaton’s Catholic Churches. About 20 signatures came fiom my neighbors. $oday, we are trying to get people and organizations in Carlsbad to send letters of support to the city council. Who’s job is it to keep track of the numbers of letters sent it and their dominant message (as “for” or “against” farmworker housing)? I’d like to know his/her/their names and phone numbers. If you know, will you please call me? hew topic: Most important for getting the Community Housing Work’s Report to my committee is the list of names I’ve enclosed. Will you be sure that all of them are on your list to receive the report? I realize that you have had a similar list for a long time, but jbst wanted to be sure that people like Liz hidenier are on the list. She is our prime aontact with the League of Women Voters. Thanks for your work on this project. qincerely, 1607 Bittern Ct. Carlsbad, CA 92009 October 7,2003 City Hall 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Dear Mayor Bud Lewis: I am the coordinator for the Community Outreach Committee for the Task Force on Temporary Housing for Farm Workers. As you read the recommendations sent to you by the Task Force in a letter dated September 2“d, and the feasibility study done by Community Housing Works, I want you to know that there are many people in Carlsbad who approve of temporary housing for farm workers. During the summer, members of my committee went to various groups in our community and spoke to them about this issue; almost 200 people responded by signing this statement of support: “My signature and identi@ng information indicates my support of the City Council’s effort to provide a community-based solution to house the unaccompanied male farm worker in the City of Carlsbad.” We spoke to the following goups: the Democratic Club, Carlsbad Village Business Club, Kiwanis, Lions Club, First Friday Chamber of Commerce, and three Churches (Pilgrim United Church of Christ, St. Patrick’s and St. Elizabeth Seaton Catholic Churches). We would have talked to more organizations, but many do not meet during the summer. At some meetings, there was no time to collect signatures, but many people spoke to the member of our committee, supporting the need to find a solution to farmworker housing. I believe you may have received many letters and emails fiom citizens of Carlsbad who seem to be against farm worker housing. From my experience with the Task Force, these people were against placing farm worker housing jn their neiahborhoods , but the majority were a against providing housing for farm workers. At the meeting of homeowners and some members of our committee that you attended on September 15*, the people who opposed placing farm worker housing at the Laurel Tree Lane site were also in favor of finding other locations, away fiom existing residential areas. They particularly supported extending at La Posada and developing one or two sites at Veteran’s Park. Although some negative response to farm worker housing occurred, I hope you also heard the positive responses at the September 15* meeting and that you will respectfblly look over the enclosed petitions of almost 200 people who support the city finding a solution for this problem. I join the people who signed this petition to ask you to approve a development plan for appropriate locations for farm worker housing. Sincerely, The Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Project My signature and identifying information indicates my support of the City Council's effort to provide a community-based solution to house the unaccompanied male farm worker in the City of Carlsbad. a Y. The Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Hdusing Project My signature and identifying infoxmation indicates my support of the City Council's effort to provide a community-based solution to house the unaccompanied male farm worker in the City of Carlsbad. The Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Hdusing Project My signature and identifying information indicates my support of the City Council's effort to provide a community-baaed solution to house the unaccompanied male farm worker in the City of Carlsbad. A The Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Project My signaturn and identifying information indicates my support of the City Council‘s effort to provide a comnity-based solution to house the unaccompanied male farm worker in the City of Carlabad. Name b&) S ien II t 11 re .Area Code & Telephone I Emsil Address, Citv & I - %14 cad- /’ . . I I The Carlsbad Temporary Farm Workei Hdusing Project My signature and identifying information indiaatas my support of the City Council's effort to provide a aonnrmnity-baaed solution to house the unaoaompanird mala fam worker in the City of Carlabad. The Carlsbad Temporary Farm Worker Housing Project My signatura and identifying information indicates my support of the City Council's effort to provide a community-based solution to house the unaccompanied male farm worker in tha City of Carlabad. Name Cfn& S i en H t 11 re The Carlsbad Temporary Farm Workei Ho-using Project My signature and identifying information indicates my support of the City Councilva effort to provide a community-baaed solution to house the unacoompanfrd male farm worker in the City of Carlsbad. Y r- 4 v m a, u. 4 I- o W QL e a 2 cn 3 0 I QL W s p1 0 3 s E a LL * QL a QL 0 e 0' I W I- n a m a cn QL 0 w I I- I P c f s- ! r'( c 2 i I >- K K a 0 n z w l- a m a cn II 0 m \ .. i d G SI W t- n a m a cn tY 0 W I I- a 5 .- 0 mu 3 3 .Ir v s I From: Gordon Baker <gordonbaker@adelphia.net> To: Date: 10/29/03 3:21 PM Subject : Farm Worker Housing Craig Cruz <cruiz@ci .carlsbad .ca. us> I fully support the proposal for Farm Worker Housing presented by the Task Force, including the proposal for Veterans Park, and hope that it will be on the agenda for the Nov. 18 City Council meeting. In August and again in September I sent letters to each member of the Council asking that Carlsbad continue its support of housing needs, such as we have done in starting the first Low Income HUD Housing in north county in the late 60s and 70s, in establishing the La Posada in 1992, and in supporting the Solutions for Change project for homeless families this year. Let's keep up the good work! Gordon Baker, 2035 Charleen Circle, Carlsbad cc: Catherine Blecki ccblecki@pacbell.net>, Mike W ischkamper cmwisch@pacbell.net> From: "Dorothy Johnson" <djohnson@crla.org> To: "Craig Ruiz" <Cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/29/03 3:54PM Subject: Farm worker housing Dear Craig: As you know, I have been participating in the task force set up to make recommendations to the Carlsbad City Council regarding farm worker housing. In my capacity as directing attorney for the Oceanside office of California Rural Legal Assistance, I am very familiar with the urgent need for housing for farm workers - not just in Carlsbad but throughout north San Diego County. I wholly support the efforts of the City Council and the task force to begin to find solutions to this pressing problem. In connection with the task force, I have examined many proposed sites for farm worker housing and I believe that the Veteran's Park site is the best location for housing farm workers in Carlsbad. It is near strawberry, flower and other agricultural fields where homeless farm workers labor. It is a location generally supported by the community. The workers are comfortable with that location, and would be more apt to use it, because it is not far from where many canyon shelters are currently found. I urge the City Council to allow the Veteran's Park site to be used for the housing. When this project becomes a reality, I hope other communities in north San Diego County will look to Carlsbad as a model for working to address needs which for too long been unmet. Thank you. Dorothy A. Johnson CRLA - Oceanside 215 South Coast Highway Suite 201 Oceanside, CA 92054 760-966-051 1 (tell) 760-966-0291 (fax) cc: "Cathy Blecki" <cblecki@pacbell.net> September 24,2003 Ramona Finnila, Council Member City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Dear Ms. Finnila: The City Council is very well aware of the problems associated with the lack of adequate housing for the migrant farm workers who so faithfully work in the agncultural fields located within the City of Carlsbad. As both a resident of Carlsbad and a spokesperson for one of Carlsbad’s largest employers, I would like to express support for the efforts being put forward by staff of the City to find an acceptable resolution to this problem. Callaway Golf is proud of our association with this beautiful City and is committed to engage as an effective, responsible and concerned corporate “citizen” to find real community solutions to community problems. My colleague Janet Hebert and I have participated as members of the ‘Temporary Migrant Farm Worker Housing Task Force”. As part of that process, several possible sites on which to locate temporary farm worker housing were identified. Unfortunately, several of these sites are substantially inadequate and inappropriate because they are either too far removed from the agricultural sites or because they are too close to existing residential neighborhoods. We are aware of the origmal mandate of the City Council to City Staff to try to find private lands on which to locate the temporary housing. It does not appear that any adequate private parcels are available for consideration. It is very clear to the members of the Task Force that the City owns the parcels most adequate for this project. We are wishing to strongly endorse the site at “Veteran’s Memorial Park” as the most ideal option as well as the site potentially available adjacent to “The Strawberry Fields”. I would also strongly encourage you to attempt to provide housing for as close to the original 150 beds as is possible. Thank you for your leadership and for your support of this project. Sincerely, Paul B. Thompson Executive Director, From: "Paul Thompson" <PauIT@caIIawaygolf.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/29/03 4:15PM Subject: Support for Migrant Farm worker housing Dear Mr. Ruiz: For some unfortunate and unknown reason, you apparently are unaware of the substantial degree of community and business support that exists in Carlsbad for the buiolding of temporary migrant farmworker housing. I do hope over the next several days that you personal will become convinced of the importance and value of this housing in our community. The Callaway Golf Company has previously sent letters of support to each City Council Member as well as the City Manager. For your information, I have attached copies of each of these letters. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly. <<Letter to City Council Members re Migrant Farmworkers.doc>> <<ole1 .bmp>> Executive Director, Callaway Golf Company Foundation 2180 Rutherford Road Carlsbad, California 92008 E-mail: PaulT@callawaygolf.com Office: 760-930-5292 cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: katie wheeler <katiewheeler@nctimes.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/29/03 4:36PM Subject: Farm worker housing Hi Craig Many of the people I have spoken with on this issue support the idea of using space at Veteran's Park. Even the ones who may be reluctant to have housing near their own home are not opposed in principle! Please help to ensure that this is an option when the City Council hears the issue. Katie Wheeler 4653 Woodstock St Carlsbad, CA 92008 From: "paulandjanstevens" <paulandjanstevens@adelphia.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad .ca .us> Date: 10/29103 6:52PM Subject: Farm worker housing Dear Craig: This letter is in support of Farm Worker Housing in Carlsbad, preferably in Veteran's Park. Minimum-wage farm workers are all over Carlsbad and we benefit greatly from their labor. Yet we force them to live in inhumane conditions right in our midst, but out of our sight. We need to support the workers we employ. Please present our vote in favor of this housing. Sincerely, Paul and Jan Stevens 6887 Carnation Drive Carlsbad cc: "Gordon Baker" <gordonbaker@adelphia.net>, <cblecki@pacbell.net> Page 1 of 1 Craig Ruiz - Farm Workers Housing From: "DOLORES MORNING" <dmorning@gowebway.com> To: <cruiz@ci. carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/29/2003 8:22 PM Subject: Farm Workers Housing cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> I have previously written letters to each of the Carlsbad Council members asking them to address the condition of housing for the farm workers. I am strongly in favor of using the solution presented by the Farm Workers Housing Task Force to use Veterans Park for this purpose. Dee Morning, 7338 San Bartolo, Carlsbad CA 92009 --- dmorning@,gowebway.com --- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet. --- DOLORES MORNING file://C:\Documents%2Oand%20Settings\cruiz.000\Loca1%2OSettings\Temp\GW} 0000 1 .HI 1 0/3 0/2003 From: <Pilgrimtom@aol.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/30/03 1 :18PM Subject: Farm Worker Housing I fully support the proposal for Farm Worker Housing presented by the Task Force, including the proposal for Veterans Park, and hope that it will be on the agenda for the Nov. 18 City Council meeting. Thankyou Tom Schumacher cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net>, <GoKennyB@aol.com> From: Connie Dye %dye41 O@yahoo.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/30/03 2:03PM Subject: Migrant Housing Just a note to give support to providing Migrant housing at Veterens Park and hoping that the issue will be covered at the meeting 11/18. Bob and Connie Dye, Cherry Tree Walk HOA Connie Dye I Debbie 'Fountain - Action Required: 'RFAA-5SHLN2 - Overdue Paqe1 I From: eSuiteResponse-ServiceQci.carlsbad.ca.us> To: edfoun @ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/21/03 10:28AM Subject: Action Required: RFAA-5SHLN2 - Overdue Contact: M HAARER Registered an issue that is now overdue by (hours): 2.6 Original Issue: I AM A RESIDENT OF THE SALTAIRE COMMUNITY, RESIDING AT 6398 TOPMAST DRIVE. MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS IN CARLSBAD FOR FIVE YEARS. WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND ARE HAPPY TO CALL CARLSBAD HOME. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MY SUPPORT FOR HOUSING AT THE CORNER OF PALOMAR AIRPORT AND AVIARA IN THE EVENT OTHER LOCATIONS DO NOT LEND THEMSELVES TO CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING FOR OUR MIGRANT WORKERS. I BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHER, MORE SUITABLE LOCATIONS, BUT IF NO OTHER OPTIONS PREVAIL, THEN WE MUST - AS CONSUMERS OF THE STRABERRIES AND FLOWERS THESE PEOPLE STOOP OVER AND PICK EVERY DAY FOR OUR PLEASURE - EMBRACE THEM AS NEIGHBORS. I LIVE ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF A MILE FROM THE PALOMAR/AVIARA LOCATION. I RUN EVERY MORNING AND WITNESS THESE MEN CLIMBING OUT OF THE CANYONS TO GO TO WORK. WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB CARING FOR THESE MEN WHO WORK LONG, HARD HOURS. I FEAR THAT CARLSBAD MIGHT GET A REPUTATION AS BEING INSENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO LIVE AMONG US, BUT HAVE NOWHERE TO CALL HOME AT THE END OF THEIR BACKBREAKING DAY. MY POSITION IS UNPOPULAR, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AS A BOARD MEMBER OF MY ASSOCIATION, I WAS QUICK TO JUMP ON, AND SUPPORT A LETTER OPPOSING THIS LOCATION. BUT I REALIZE NOW THAT WE CANNOT KEEP SHUFFLING THESE PEOPLE AROUND. EASY TO SAY WE SUPPORT MIGRANT HOUSING, QUITE ANOTHER TO SAY WE SUPPORT IT IN OUR BACKYARD. PUT ME DOWN AS SUPPORT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING WHATEVER FINAL DECISION IS MADE SOMETHING FOR WHICH WE CAN ALL BE PROUD. Work To Date: You may view the original issue by double clicking on the following link - (Document link: Link To Original Issue) If using a browser, you may view the original issue by clicking on the following URL - http://RFA/pro/service.nsf/Service?OpenPage&RFAA-5SHLN2 From: CATHERINE BLECKI <cblecki@pacbell.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad .ca.us> Date: 10/30/03 4:21 PM Subject: Farm Worker Housing Dear Craig, As the coordinator for the community outreach on the Task Force for Temporary Housing for Farm Workers, I support the need for the city of Carlsbad to find housing for these people. They work here; they live here--even in very inadequate housing; they are a part of our community. I support the Veteran's park site because it is close to the fields where these people work and because homeowner associations prefer this site as well as the one at La Posada. I hope to see this project on the city council's agenda for November 18th. Thank you for all the help you have been to me. Sincerely, Cathy and David Blecki 1607 Bittern Ct. Carlsbad, CA 92009 cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: "Roger Fox" <rbfox3905@adelphia.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/30/03 7:23PM Subject: Farmworker Housing Dear Sir: I have previously sent letters to the Mayor and all of the Council stating that I am in favor of placing farmworker housing at Veterans Park for a maximum of 10 years. Roger E. Fox, M.D. 3905 Park Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 cc: "Gordon Baker" <gordonbaker@adelphia.net> From: To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/31/03 9:43AM Subject: Migrant housing <Bpcard iff c@cs .com > Dear City Representatives: I hope that the City continues to support the development of the housing of farmworkers. Their desperate situation is a problem for all of us, the City, growers and the community. I applaud the work done by the Task Force in reaching out to the residential communities who may be impacted by this project. We recognize that fieldworkers belong living near the fields so the Veterans Park land would be an ideal solution. I hope you consider that property. I would like to volunteer any way I can to continue to work with the City on this important housing project. Cordially, Barbara Perrigo Ecumenical Migrant Outreach Project Page 1 of 1 Craig Rub - Modular Housing at Laurel Tree From: "Lorry Bush" <gogger@hotmail.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/3 1/2003 1 1 :42 AM Subject: Modular Housing at Laurel Tree Carlsbad City Council Members, My husband and I attended the meeting in September concerning the placement of temporary farmworker housing at the Laurel Tree site. The meeting was overflowing and all attendees were against using this site for farmworker housing. There are numerous reasons against using this location: 1. It is very visible since it is on a major thoroughfare in Carlsbad. Do you really want tourists visiting our community to see this housing project as they go to Legoland, Grand Palisades Resort, Carlsbad Company Stores, The Four Seasons, etc? 2. It is located close to a residential neighborhood and an elementary school, not the farms where they will be working. How will they get to work? 3. There are no stores close by for them to purchase food or any other personal items they need. 4. The city is planning on building a $25 million dollar golf course across the street. The two projects don't go together at all. How about the cityhusiness owner building a restaurant or golf shop? 5. The farmworkers themselves are against this location. They don't want to be in a residential neighborhood and away from their work location. 6. The city already has two other locations that they can use if they must provide this housing. There is Veterans Park or Safety Center. Neither of these locations are near residential housing or in a visible location. We are in total opposition for the city of Carlsbad using the Laurel Tree site for Temporary Farmworker Housing. Lorraine & James Bush 6583 Daylily Dr. Carlsbad Eettingthatyour Hotmail-a-ccount may-expire because you forgot to sign in enoush?Get Hotmail Extra Storage today! file://C:\Documents%2Oand%20Settings\cruiz.000\Loca1%20Settings\Temp\G W} 0000 1 .HI 1 0/3 1 /2003 From: DAVID BLECKI <blecki@pacbell.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad .ca .us> Date: 10/31/03 11 :36AM Subject: Farm Worker Housing I strongly feel that we in Carlsbad must provide assistance for housing our farm workers. They contribute to the lifestyle in Carisbad and to our economy. I agree with the housing task force's recommendation to provide a site in Veteran's Park. This location is near the fields where they work, not in a residential area and is, at present, unused. It is my understanding that development of the park is not planned for 10 years. By that time the need for agricultural workers will, almost certainly, have passed into our history. Please support this effort. I pian to attend the November 18 City Council meeting to hear any discussion of this issue. Thank you, David J. Blecki 1607 Bittern Ct. Carlsbad, CA 92009 From: ann welton <anniel3035@yahoo.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/31/03 4:49PM Subject: Farrnworker housing at Veterans Park We are not against supporting housing for Migrant Workers. We are against the location of Aviara and Palomar Airport Road. As an immediate matter, we urge the city council to support housing at Veterans Park and ask that this issue be heard by the city council on November 18th. Jeff and Ann Welton 6639 Daylily Drive Carlsbad Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.corn/promos/britneyspears/ From: To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 10/31/03 5:39PM Subject: Temporary Housing "Maddox, Tom - Thomas E" <Tom.E.Maddox@Lowes.com> Craig, as a resident of Carlsbad I am a strong supporter of the goal of locating temporary housing for migrant farm workers in the great City of Carlsbad. To that end, I have worked with you as a volunteer member of the "Temporary Migrant Farm Worker Housing Task Force". As a member of the Site Selection sub committee, I have come to the conclusion that the Veterans Memorial Park location is probably the best spot to construct the temporary housing. The location adjacent to the "Strawberry Fields" is probably a strong second, and, in fact, both sites are likely needed to reach the goal of housing up to 150 workers. The west coast regional office for real estate and construction for Lowe's Companies is located here in Carlsbad on Faraday Avenue. Lowe's has a long history of commitment and participation in all of its local Communities, and I intend to seek assistance from my Company once a specific project can be identified. In addition, in my role as a real estate attorney for Lowe's I have many contacts in the engineering and construction trades. I intend to seek assistance from some of these acquaintances. As I think you know, Thomas Baber with the firm of Adams Engineering located here in Carlsbad has already offered to donate his civil engineering assistance once a specific location is identified. I strongly believe that the time has come for the City for Carlsbad, local businesses, and farm operators to take the lead and serve as an example for other communities when it comes to providing decent housing for our hard working farm workers. Before he was elected, President Bush was frequently quoted as saying "family values don't stop at the Rio Grande". Unfortunately, in the aftermath of 9/1 I the idea of creating a temporary worker program as part of a coherent immigration policy has been placed on the back burner. Nevertheless, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal pointed out that in California 90% of the farm workers are born in Mexico, and half of them are undocumented. We obviously need the labor, and I believe it is time for responsible and caring local government to do what it can to provide decent shelter for this essential work force. Thanks for taking the time to tread this message, and please do include it in the report that will be submitted to the City Council. Tom Maddox Senior Corporate Counsel Lowe's Companies, Inc. 1530 Faraday Avenue, Suite 140 Carlsbad, California 92008 (760) 804-531 6 cc: "CATHERINE BLECKI" <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: cbeachcmbr@worldnet.att.net> To: <cruiz@smtp.ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/1/03 3:38PM Subject: CITY OF CARLSBAD I CONTACT US A visitor to the City of Carlsbad Web site has completed and posted the "Contact Us" form to department, Craig Ruiz. .............................................. FOR SECURITY REASONS, DO NOT CHANGE THE SUBJECT LINE. .............................................. Below, please find the information that was submitted: I support the provision of temporary migrant worker housing to replace the camp destroyed by the city last year. The city has made a good start in hiring a firm to explore the feasibility of providing such housing and the effort must not die now. Marjorie Monroy 749 b Magnolia Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 USA beachcm br@worldnet.att.net Mozillal4.77C-CCK-MCD {C-UDP; EBM-APPLE} (Macintosh; U; PPC) 12.80.80.149 From: <dckron@juno.com> To : Date: 11/1/03 8:lOPM Subject: <cruiz@sm tp.ci xarlsbad .ca. us> CITY OF CARLSBAD I CONTACT US A visitor to the City of Carlsbad Web site has completed and posted the "Contact Us" form to department, Craig Ruiz. .............................................. FOR SECURITY REASONS, DO NOT CHANGE THE SUBJECT LINE. .............................................. Below, please find the information that was submitted: I would like to let you know that I support the idea of temporary shelters for migrant farm workers to replace the camps removed by the city last year. Farm worker housing is a community responsibility. Thank you. dolores kronenberg 6847 maple leaf dr carlsbad, ca 92009 sd dckron@juno.com Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSlE 5.0; Windows 95; DigExt) 199.182.25.162 From: <pbjandl @worldshare.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/1/03 12:57PM Subject: Farm Workers in Carlsbad Dear Craig, I am writing to let you know that my family and I support the housing of farm workers in Carlsbad. We meet with them on Sundays and help hand out food and water. We also support the recommendations of the task force - housing at Veteran's Park and La Posada. We live at 2900 Cliff Circle Carlsbad CA 92008. Thank you. Paula, Brian, John, and Chris Gallag her cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: joan surridge <joan7255@sbcglobal.net> To: <Ruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/1/03 2:06PM Subject: Farmworker housing Dear Mr. Ruiz: continues to have an healthy agricultural component to its economy and I feel its necessary to acknowledge that with provision for the workers in that economy. It is a public health hazard to have these workers camping in our ravines. I am aware of the problems in locating housing for this component of our economy, but doubt that the NIMBY's are fully cognizant of the health hazards posed by the present alternatives. None of us want to deal with the future fallout from present accomodations for these workers. Please ask favorable votes from our City Council. Thank you. Joan Surridge Please consider favorable passage of housing for farmworkers in Carlsbad. Carlsbad Joan Surridge 7255 San Luis Carlsbad, CA. 92009 760-91 8-0350 From: Taffy Cannon <tcannon@nctimes.net> To: Date: 11/1/03 3:21PM Subject: Farm Worker Housing <cru iz@ci .carisbad .ca .us> Dear Mr. Ruiz: The city of Carlsbad has a moral and economic responsibility to provide housing for the farm workers who play such an important role in the agriculture and floriculture industries here. Without these workers, those industries could not exist and certainly could not be competitive against foreign markets. I support the proposal for Farm Worker Housing presented by the Task Force, including the location of this housing at Veterans Park. Please do all you can to see that this is on the Agenda for the November 18 City Council meeting. Taffy Cannon 4430 Trieste Drive Carlsbad cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: Suzanne Carneiro <n8smom@adelphia.net> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad .ca. us> Date: 11/1/03 5:05PM Subject: Temporary housing for farm workers Mr. Ruiz - I am writing in support of the Farm Workers Task Force in their work to find housing solutions for the local workers. As a community I believe we must help people find safe and sanitary housing even if it is temporary. It is a bad situation that must not be ignored. We must continue to explore suitable sites. Yours truly, Suzanne Marquess Carneiro 7386 Altiva Place From: "William "Skip" King" <sking06@adelphia.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/1/03 9:08PM Subject: Farm worker housing Mr. Ruiz, I have lived in Carlsbad and work at Palomar Airport. I support farm worker housing and think that Veterans Park would be a good location for housing because it is close to the fields but separate from other housing. I think the city should help to fund the housing. I hope the city will be able to act in time to apply for the funding from the Rural Communities Assistance Corporation. Sincerely William King From: "Albert Rex" <alrex43@adelphia.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/2/03 6:39AM Subject: Migrant Farm worker Housing Hello Craig, I'm writing as a concerned citizen living in the Shorepointe community near Aviara. My concern is over the possible selection of the Aviara Parkway/Palomar site as a possible location for Migrant Farm worker Housing. As a recommendation, I feel the City Council should consider making Veteran's Park the recommended location. First of all, let me say that the majority of people I speak with (including myself) feel that the "hard working" migrant farm-workers should not be left to sleep in the canyons, and should be given to opportunity to find affordable refuge in our communities. The ultimate selection of the location for this refuge is the issue. Selecting the Aviara Parkway/Palomar site is not a wise choice for the following reasons: This corner is extremely dangerous for these migrant workers (who often walk or bike to work), as the traffic count is high, along with the speed of passing vehicles. It clearly is not in accordance with the "well thought out" City Plan, in placing these modular homes next to a "highly visible" corner. Not to mention that this temporary housing would be right across from the "soon to be constructed" 18 Hole Championship Golf Course. High voltage power lines run directly across this property, which make it basically un-fit for residential housing. Therefore, why should it be suitable for temporary housing? * * Craig, I believe Veteran's Park would be a viable alternative as it is not near any existing residential areas, already belongs to the "tax-payers" and is not scheduled to be developed for the next 10 years. Many of my neighbors share this same view. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion. Sincerely, AI Rex 6450 Torreyanna Circle Carlsbad (760) 931-1278 cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: <DmBrahms@aol.com> To : Date: 1 1/2/03 11 :33AM Subject: (no subject) <cruiz@ci .carls bad .ca.us> DEAR MR RUIZ: I am a long time resident of Carlsbad (18 years); I also work in our community. I have over time watched with some dismay as the community becomes an enclave for those of means to the exclusion of those less financially blessed. It is troubling to me that many of those who labor in our town cannot afford to live here. If we are to be a vital and inclusive community, we must continue to bend to the task of finding a way to embrace and welcome those who contribute to the success of our community; to give them an opportunity to enjoy living in our wonderful town. I take pride in our history of being at the forefront of providing such opportunity and want such to continue to be a hallmark of the City of Carlsbad. With this in mind, I wholeheartedly support the proposal for farm worker housing presented by the Task Force, including the proposal for siting such housing in Veterans Park. I understand that this matter will be on the agenda at the November 18th City Council meeting. I intend to appear at that meeting and speak in favor of the proposal. If, as some times happens, the matter is not to be included on that evenings agenda, I ask that you provide me an advisory. Respectfully, DAVID M. BRAHMS, ESQ. "JAFL" 800 GRAND AVE, STE C-14 CARLSBAD, CA 92008 760-434-7206 OFFICE 760-500-7870 CELL 760-434-1 020 FAX THIS E-MAIL IS ATTORNEY CLIENT CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE. IF YOU RECEIVE IT BY ERROR, PLEASE DESTROY IT AND NOTIFY THE SENDER BY RETURN E-MAIL OF THE ERRONEOUS TRANSMISSION. cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: George Hershman <ghhershman@yahoo.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: Subject: Farm Worker Housing I 1 /2/03 1 :28PM Dear Mr. Ruiz: We would like to voice our support for the proposed Farm Worker Housing and urge the support of the City Council at the Nov 18 meeting. We need the migrant workers to pick our local crops and to help in the local housing industry. These hard working people should have decent housing while living in our area. Thank you, George & Anita Hershman Property Oweners 5250 El Arbol Dr. Carlsbad, CA Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/ cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: "Me Gregg" <megregg@adelphia.net> To: Date: Subject: Housing Ccru iz@ci .carts bad .ca .us> 1 1 /2/03 3: 1 7PM My husband and I are much in favor of housing for our migrant workers. We have supported La Posada from its inception. It has been very successful, but more is needed. The proposal for Veterans Park is a good one. We hope that it will be on the agenda for the Nov. 18th City Council meeting. Mary Ellen Gregg, 2235 Nob Hill Drive, Carlsbad cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net>, <bgbaker@flash.net>, <W 1 CIZ@aol.com> From: <MaryScherr@aol.com> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/2/03 6:37PM Subject: Farmworker housing Dear Craig, I strongly support Farm Worker Housing at Veterans Park and trust that the city will take prompt action to apply for the Rural Communities Assistance Corporation funds by Dec. I. Housing for farm workers is strongly supported by the community. Concerned citizens have studied the issue and advocated housing for many years. I have written each of the council members. mary scherr 3244 meadowlark lane carlsbad, ca 92008 From: Robert Schoenberger <pogobob@earthlink.net> To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/2/03 8:39PM Subject: Farm Worker Housing My wife and I wish to express our full support for the Farm Worker Housing proposal presented by the Task Force, including the Veterans Park proposal. We hope that it will be on the agenda for the City Council meeting scheduled for November 18. We are proud to be part of the effort to persuade our town to support farm worker housing. Robert & Barbara Schoenberger 1664 Plover Court Carlsbad cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: Carole Werling ccwerling@tmisnet.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/2/03 9:07PM Subject: Proposed temporary housing for farm workers As a resident of Carlsbad, I wish to show my support for the temporary housing for the farm workers. As I understand, after speaking with members of the Task Force, this proposed development is in a site off Faraday Avenue which will eventually be used for a proposed park - but the park is not scheduled for development for the next 10 years. I also understand that agriculture in that area will be gone from Carlsbad in that time frame. This site is not near residential neighborhoods - yet is near the fields where the farmers laborers work. I trust I can depend on your support for this project. Sincerely, Carole Werling 7274 Spoonbill Lane Carlsbad, CA 92009 From: <Garydwrench@aol.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/3/03 6:51AM Subject: Support for Farmworker Housing Dear Craig, Please record my vote In Favor of the city's support of farmworker housing at Veteran's Park. I am confident that the farmworkers will be good neighbors there, as everywhere, when they understand the rules and are given the opportunity. Moreover, it is the morally right thing to do and is long overdue as a proactive step toward solving this longstanding problem. Gary Wrench Carlsbad Resident since 1960 From: To: Date: Subject: <mhdornish@mac.com> <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> 11/3/03 7:52AM Farm Worker Housing Dear Mr. Ruiz: I write to urge the City Council to take timely, positive action on providing temporary farm worker housing in Carlsbad. The Task Force has proposed viable solutions and the need is urgent. Margaret H. Dornish 6873 Carnation Drive Carlsbad 92009 From: To : <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/3/03 8:OlAM Subject: migrant housing "Carolyn & Bob Taylor" <rlcf@adelphia.net> November 1,2003 Dear Council Members, I love living in Carlsbad for so many reasons and will always live here. Please extend that privilege to the migrant workers who temporarily live in Carlsbad by housing them in decent homes. Just do the right thing by extending your welcome to those who do so much for our basic needs. Take the lead in North County like you do in every other area. This beautiful piece of the earth that we live on belongs to all of us and you happen to be the care-takers for a short time. Think about ways to get the job done. Just do what you know it morally responsible. Sincerely, Carolyn Taylor 1355 Sparrow Rd. Carlsbad 92009 From: John Jensen <jjensenl O@earthlink.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carls bad .ca.us> Date: Subject: 1 1 /3/03 8: 18AM Support for farm workers' temporary housing Dear Mr. Ruiz: As residents of Carlsbad, we vigorously support temporary housing for farm workers. We agree with the Task Force's recommendation of using Veteran's Park off Faraday Ave. for the housing. The park makes perfect sense because it is not scheduled for development over the next 10 years, is close to the fields and away from residential neighborhoods. In addition, by the time development of the park begins, agriculture will be gone from Carlsbad. Kind regards, Marla and John Jensen 1615 Bittern Ct. Carlsbad, CA 92009 From: Lyndell Werling <lyndellw@yahoo.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/3/03 8:37AM Subject: I Support Temp Housing for Farm Workers Craig- I am a resident of Carlsbad who supports temporary housing for farm workers. I have followed the progress of the Task Force and agree with their recommendation that one of the sites should be the proposed Veteran's Park off Faraday Avenue. This park is not scheduled for development for the next 10 years. By that time agriculture, as we know it, will be gone from Carlsbad. This site is close to the fields in which the farm workers labor, and it is away from residential neighborhoods. Sincerely, Lyndell Werling lyndellw@yahoo.com Carlsbad, CA 92009 From: <jcothran@earthlin k.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 1 1 /3/03 10:04AM Subject: Farm Worker Housing , Mr. Ruiz: Want to let you know that I fully support Farm Worker Housing in Carlsbad as presented by the Task Force and to include the proposal for Vetrans Park. It is hoped that this will be on the agenda for the Council meeting on 18 November. Thank you, James Cothran cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: <Eviq@cs.com> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 1 1 /3/03 1 0:56AM Subject: farmworker housing Dear Craig: I am writing to you to urge you and the city housing department to contnue to work diligently on bringing about temporatry housing for our field workers in Carlsbad. Since the site of the future Veterans Park seems to be the most ideal and least opposed site, we propose this for serious consideration by our city council. I hope they will give this serious consideration. After all we are the voters and the local taxpayers, who have a word to say about the use of that land, which obviously will not be used for the next ten years. We thank you whole heartedly for your continous effort and work on that issue. Sincerely, Reuben and Evi Quinn 2732 Waterbury Way, Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-434-371 0 cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: To: Date: Subject: <Jackiewrench@aol.com> <cru iz@ci .cads bad. ca. us> 1 1 /3/03 1 1 :47AM Farm Worker Housing Dear Craig, I want my support recorded IN FAVOR of the city's proposal for Farm Worker Housing. I am hopeful this problem will soon be solved. Jacqueline Wrench Carlsbad Resident since 1960 From: <Chris-Haack@bd.Com To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: Subject: Farm Worker Housing 1 1 /3/03 1 1 :49AM Mr. Ruiz - I'am writing you as a Carlsbad resident that supports the creation of housing in Carlsbad for farm workers. The farm workers provide a valuable service to the community and the state, yet we continue to treat them like second class citizens by failing to provide adequate housing and services. I know that the Task Force has recommended two viable sites to be used as temporary housing, and I fully support the Task Force's recommendations. Please count me as a supporter of housing for migrant workers in Carlsbad. Thank You, Chris Haack 6864 Shearwaters Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009 ...................................................................... This message is intended only for the designated recipient(s). It may contain confidential or proprietary information and may be subject to the attorney-client privilege or other confidentiality protections. If you are not a designated recipient, you may not review, use, copy or distribute this message. If you receive this in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you. cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> From: "Michael Wisch kaemper" <wisch@wischkaemper.com> To: "'Craig Ruiz"' <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/3/03 12:llPM Subject: Farmworker Housing Dear Mr. Ruiz: I understand you are collecting comments from the community regarding proposed Farm Worker Housing. I support city participation in support of farm worker housing. If it is not possible to obtain land on the strawberry fields, I support use of the location at Veterans Park for this purpose. I support the location for several reasons: 1. This use will be for a limited time only. The need for farm worker housing will be essentially ended within five to ten years because of development which will occur on land which is currently used for agriculture. 2. As a result of the limited time commitment, the land will be available for other uses after the need for farm worker housing goes away. This limitation should be enforced by agreement by advocates, by limitations imposed by the source of funding, by the fact the location would not be useful for other kinds of housing by those currently homeless in the city, and by adoption of a city ordinance which permits farm worker housing which does not meet the criteria for other kinds of housing. 3. The likelihood the Veterans Park location would have another use in the next seven to ten years is very limited. 4. Veterans Park should be relatively easy to landscape in a way which would entirely screen the housing from public view, both for the privacy of the residence and as insulation from other uses of the canyon. 5. Creation of the housing would help ease public safety concerns which follow the existing encampment, including fire and police control. Although this population is typically not a source of criminal activity, they can easily be the targets of criminal actions. In addition, the importance of preventing fires in the areas involved has been recently brought home. 6. Creation of housing would discourage this population from buying and using unsafe automobiles with too little or no insurance. 7. This particular population is almost unique because the men involved are extraordinarily hard working, yet the system does not provide another housing alternative for them. They do not fit easily in the typical mix of Carlsbad housing. I hope the city council will be able to act on this issue in a positive way. Very truly yours, Michael Wischkaemper Law Offices of Michael Wischkaemper 1808 Aston Avenue, Suite 240 Carlsbad, CA 92008 Telephone 760 438-1222 Telefax 760 438-7888 wisch@wisch kaemper.com From: "Dennis & Diane" <dandd@nctimes.net> To: <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 1 1/3/03 12:23PM Subject: Farmworker Housing Mr. Ruiz Preserve Calavera is a grassroots group of local residents concerned with the preservation of the calavera area open space. We can't protect the biological function of open space areas like calavera until we control the damaging pollutants that continue to degrade the wetlands. One of the most damaging of these pollutants is human waste from the hundreds of farm laborers that continue to live in isolated areas along our creeks. We need housing and sanitation facilities for these farm laborers as part of a broader effort to clean up our local wetlands. We support the efforts of the broad based coalition of community organizations to come up with locations for farm worker housing and sanitation facilities. While placing such facilities at a planned park site is not an ideal solution- it is much preferrable to the continued degradation of our creeks, lagoons and precious coast. We therefor support the recommendation to place temporary farm worker housing and sanitation facilities at Veteran's Park , with adequate city monitoring of the site to assure that all waste is properly disposed of. We urge you to take whatever actions are needed to expedite this project. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to assist in this effort. Sincerely, Diane Nygaard On Behalf of Preserve Calavera From: cCLAVERSHOP@aol .com > To: Date: 11/3/03 2:04PM Subject: farmworker housing <cru iz@ci .carlsbad . ca. u s> Mr. Ruiz: i support the farmworker housing at Veterans Park. i understand this issue will be heard at the city council meeting on November 18, 2003. i plan to be there. Carole Laver 1337 Verbena Court Carlsbad, Ca. 92009 cc: cgeorgej king@adelphia.net> From: "Fred" <fred@mail.sdccu.net> To: Craig Ruiz <cruiz@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/3/03 2:25PM Subject: Farm Worker Housing Dear Craig Ruiz, I fully support the proposal for Farm Worker Housing presened by the Task Force, including the proposal for Veterans Park. Something needs to be done soon so I hope that you place it on the agenda for the November 18 City Council meeting. With a serious lack of adequate housing for Farm Workers in the area this is something that needs to be looked atand and resolved now. While some people might not like the Veterans Park solution it only needs to be long term temporary solution. However in making it temporary don't set a date by which the Veterans Park housing will be closed. Rather create a set of conditions which must be met before the Veterans Park solution will be terminated. Those conditions must include finding and implementing a permanent solution and allowing enough time for all the housing residents to move before closing the Veterans Park housing. Thank you for your time, Fred Timm, 3431 Celinda Drive, Carlsbad cc: <cblecki@pacbell.net> - 1 Craig Ruiz - Temporary Housing From: Marie Bertossi <bertossi@netzero.net> To: Date: 11/3/03 4:39PM Subject: Temporary Housing <cru iz@ci .carts bad .ca .us> Monday, November 3,2003 Dear Mr. Ruiz: I am a resident of Carlsbad who supports temporary housing for farm workers. I have been following the progress of the Task Force and agree with their recommendation that one of the sites should be the proposed Veteran's Park off Faraday Avenue. This park is not scheduled for development for the next 10 years. By that time agriculture, as we know it, will be gone from Carlsbad. This site is close to the fields in which the farm workers labor, and it is away from residential neighborhoods. Sincerely, Marie Bertossi 7094 Aviara Dr., Carlsbad 92009 From: <elameire@ucsd.edu> To : <cruiz@smtp.ci.carlsbad.ca.us> Date: 11/3/03 5:28PM Subject: CITY OF CARLSBAD 1 CONTACT US A visitor to the City of Carlsbad Web site has completed and posted the "Contact Us" form to department, Craig Ruiz. .............................................. FOR SECURITY REASONS, DO NOT CHANGE THE SUBJECT LINE. .............................................. Below, please find the information that was submitted: Dear Mr. Ruiz, So you're aware of opinions from the region, I am in complete support of the proposal for Farmworker Housing presented by the Carlsbad task force, particularly using Veteran's park as a site. Having taken up the Carlsbad migrant housing issue as a graduate research project, I'm confident that the City, through its full commitment to the proposal, will both enhance its image throughout the community, and disclose its desire to undertake the morally appropriate action. I look forward to the proposal's inclusion in the agenda of the November 18th City Council meeting. Sincerely, Eddie LaMeire Eddie LaMeire - , 92591 US elameire@ucsd.edu Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSlE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) 66.1 25.1 6.1 8 .. . Olzl6i UAL La-= A0 r7i345 LAW OFFICES OF AGENDA-# /f - MICHAEL WISCH KAEMPER a Mayor *cmdl Cltg Manager 1608 ASTON AVENUE, SUITE 240 CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92008-7364 TELEPHONE I7601 436-1222 TELECOPIER (760) 436-7068 mwisch@pacbell.net 1 .6 November 26,2003 Via Telefax and US. Mail Mayor Bud Lewis and Members of the City Council City of Carlsbad 200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Re: Farm Worker Housing Dear Mayor Lewis and Council Members: In advance of Tuesday’s Council Meeting Eric Larson, Sue Reynolds of Community Housingworks and I wanted to let you know precisely what we plan to request, and io briefly explain the reasons for the specific language. Eric, Paul Thompson and I will be meeting the Council Members on Tuesday afternoon and we would be happy to discuss this and any other questions or concerns any of you may have. A restatement of our overall intention and the urgent need for action is appropriate. 1. We believe there is a well-demonstrated need for a solution for housing for farmworkers. 2. We believe there is a single possible location for the housing which would not be impossible because of state law or radical incompatibility of purposes, and believe staff would have come to the same conclusion if they had received all of the facts before the report was published. We believe temporary use of the proposed portion of Veterans Park would not interfere seriously with the city’s plans for the area. We agree further feasibility study is required, including study of potential liability the city might incur by allowing use of this land for this purpose. We believe immediate action is necessary to maintain the possibility of receiving a grant of $1.2 million from the Rural Communities Assistance Corporation; if Community Housingworks cannot pursue this grant now, the hnds will go away, which could easily eliminate any possibility of resolving this problem. 3. 4. 5. Mayor Bud Lewis and City Council Members November 26,2003 Page 2 6. We do not ask the city for a blank check or to incur inappropriate risk or expense; our requested action is carefully tailored to avoid finally committing the city before the necessary feasibility information is available while allowing CHW to go forward. With these things in mind, we will request this resolution: That City Council invite Community Housingworks to submit a proposal for housing for farmworkers only at the designated site East of Faraday Avenue at Veterans Park, preferably for 128 beds but for a minimum of 63 beds, as described in the submitted study, including funding from all available sources. That City Council direct the City Attorney to investigate potential liability for relocation or similar costs which might occur upon termination of the housing and to find alternatives to reduce or eliminate potential liability for the City of Carlsbad for such potential expenses. That City Council agree to waive planning, processing and development fees for this project. That the City Council authorize a letter to RCAC indicating the City’s potential interest, upon its review and approval of a feasible and detailed development proposal, in proceeding with Community HousingWorks for the designated site. We think that Community Housingworks is especially qualified to move forward with this project in light of their experience and background. We recognize that additional study must be done at the site to determine whether a site plan can be drawn and feasibility determined, which is the reason for the first paragraph. Mayor Lewis identified the concern that the city might incur liability to residents on termination of the housing based on past experience with other kinds of housing. He suggested at least one potential solution for this of leasing the site to somebody else who would then have the liability. The second paragraph of the proposed resolution requires investigation of that. Some of the attorneys who have been working with the Task Force would simultaneously investigate the issue. Fees for a project like this come early and can be very high. We believe it is appropriate for the city to waive them. Finally, the fourth paragraph should give Community Housingworks the ammunition to hopefully move forward with the RCAC application in a form which gives a chance to obtain those funds, which would be critical for the project. - Mayor Bud Lewis and City Council Members November 26,2003 Page 3 I have taken the liberty of copying this letter to several members of the City Staff who may have comments. Any of us would be happy to discuss these issues further before our afternoon. Ron Ball, Esq. (via telefax onZy) Sandy Holder (via telefax only) Debbie Fountain (via telefax only) Michael Holtzmiller (via telefax only) Eric Larson (via email only) Sue Reynolds (via email only) Paul Thompson (via email only) December I, 2003 619.aa.79~ fw w.OPCsentic~mm Sue Reynolds CommunityHousing Works 1820 S. Escandido Blvd., Ste 101 Escondido, CA 92025 Dear Ms. Reynolds, As requested, I have reviewed the unai1 that wag sent to our offices that idmtifies a propwedpaojcof located in the City of Carlsbad, whieh is to provide temporary housing for mdividuaI farmworkcrs4& are working within the city, The busing provided by the project would be available for.a mpesigd of time. 6.1 the scenario provided, housing would be available through 201 1, and then the Giu wo~ convert the usc to a park The question posed to us was whether the occupants of the transitional housing'px3@l would bc cli,gi%le for relocation benefits upon tumiaation of tbe program. Upon reyiew of the proposed project, I believe the occupants of the transitional housing would be eligible for mlocaticm assistance ax The basis fix this determination is on the nature of the project itseft The housing provided far project is Gonsidered 'yemporary" or "transitional" and would not be the occupants pemment or customary and d abode. iiot The URA definition (49 CFR 24.2(g)) of a displaced person mxns "any person that moves fiam ,mal property, or moves his or her personal property from thc real property, permanently, as a direct redl of: The acquisition of, or written notice of intent to acquire, or initiation of negotiatiqs to acquire, such real property, in whole or in part, for a project; OT The mbabilitation or demolition of such real property for a project; or The rehabilitation, demolition, or acquisition of (or written noticx of intent to aqdq initiation of negotiations to acquire) all or a part of other real property 011 which thc person conducts a business M fann operation, for a project." 1) 2) 3) The proposed project would not result m the displacement of any persons, as defined above. The prdject would provide transitional housing for a defined period of time. Farmworkers wishing to apply for housing would be informed up ht of the project end date and would how of the project completion. In an effort to inform prospective tenants that they would not be eligible for relocation benefits un&;thc Uniform Relocation Act, I would recommend providing a notice, which would be executed by the t&nt. YOU are welcome to contact me with any questions concerning this correspondence. I may be reach# by phone at 619 638-7980, or by email at vmccaw@~~~~&ces.com. Sincerely, ,, Project Manager