Warming center criteria issued
Oroville follows Chico’s lead as City Council votes 6-1 to fund shelters for use during the winter if temperature, rain and wind standards are met
OROVILLE >> The city of Oroville has determined the guidelines for opening short-term emergency shelters during cold weather days.
A special city council meeting held Tuesday night ended with
Oroville council voting 6-1 to adopt the same criteria the city of Chico uses for financially contributing to a warming center.
• If the temperature is under 45 degrees combined with 3⁄4 of an inch or more of precipitation.
• If temperatures are under 40 degrees combined with an average wind speed of 15 mph or more.
“I don’t believe there is any reason we need to reinvent the wheel,” said Councilor Janet Goodson. “Chico has done a good job. I would defer to using their recommendation.”
City Administrator Bill LaGrone said there is currently no budget for this item so the council will need to establish one and then decide on how to finance the providers who run the centers.
The cost of operating a warming center is currently $350 per day.
LaGrone expects the proposed budget to be on a city council agenda in early March.
Prior to voting, the council heard from seven public speakers.
Nearly every speaker presented a different idea on what an appropriate temperature would be for opening a warming center.
Oroville Rescue Mission Executive Director Steve Terry asked the council “to be reasonable with the temperature” and believed a number between 40 to 43 degrees would suffice except in the case of rain.
“In the mission, we have a rule — if it rains we let people come in because if it rains you’re going to get cold,” Terry said.
Oroville residents Jim Adams and Carol Zanon recommended a much higher temperature, 55 degrees.
“You got to take into account if the wind is blowing or not,” Adams said. “Wind factor can change the actual effect on your body a great deal.”
“When it’s 60 degrees outside and it’s raining and windy, I’m freezing to my bones,” Zanon added.
After listening to residents voice their opinions, Mayor Chuck Reynolds reminded attendees that the city choosing a guideline does not prohibit organizations from opening warming centers.
“No one is saying you can’t be open 365 nights a year, we’re just saying when we’re going to pay for it,”
Reynolds said.
Councilor Eric Smith encouraged nonprofits to follow the lead of organizations, such as the Oroville Rescue Mission, and find ways to provide service without looking for additional assistance.
“Let’s step it up if we’re recognizing a real need,” Smith said.
The council unanimously approved the consent calendar which included adopting a memorandum of understanding between the city and the Oroville Fire Fighters Association and approving employment agreements with the Assistant Community Development Director Dawn Nevers and Assistant City Administrator Leonardo Depaola.
The next City Council meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers, 1735 Montgomery Ave.