City of Novato, Camp Compassion, Homeless Camp Evictions and Policies

Dear Robbie Powelson:
Your request was submitted on 10/30/2024 and given the reference number N000306-103024 for tracking purposes.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

Subject; FOIA Request - Homeless Camp Evictions

I am writing to request any and all records, policies and procedures related to evictions and applications at the temporary camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, Ca in Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.

Specifically , I am interested in the following information:

Evictions :
Any and all records or documentation, memos or memorandum of understanding related to evictions of Sheila and Crystal, Bryan Duran and Jess Tassi From the temporary camp at Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion From 2021 thru present
Any communications with the City of Novato or its agents or service providers related to Sheila and Crystals eviction from Sanctioned encampment at Lee Garner Park aka Camp Compassion including emails, memos or meeting minutes or memorandum of understanding Novato Police Department or its agents, advise given regarding eviction and allowing violence to continue From January 2024 thru July 2024 .
All evictions and notices , contracts , and agreements related to the evictions of all camp residents from the Motel /hotel program at the Days Inn Located at from the City of Novato after the fire from July 30, 2024 ending Aug 30, 2024.
Records of any hearings or appeals related to these evictions
Information regarding the reasons for the evictions, including allegations of violence or not following code of conduct, hoarding or any requests for evictions made to the City of Novato from the Marin County chapter or The California Homeless Union.
Details about why these individuals were not evicted despite allegations of violence , and misconduct , hate speech and hoarding behavior or at the request of union designee(s)
Information about the City's Failure to appear on a scheduled eviction date .

City Policies :
Copies of all city policies or procedures governing evictions from the homeless camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd , Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.
Information about the criteria used to determine whether a resident of the camp should be evicted.
Details about the process for serving eviction notices and conducting hearings.

Motel/Hotel Program :
Information about the motel program implemented after the fire on July 30, 2024 at the temporary camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato , Ca Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.
The total cost to the City of Novato for housing the homeless camp residents from Lee Gerner Park at the Days Inn 8141 Redwood BLVD Novato, Ca , Inn Marin located at 250 Entrada Dr Novato, and Motel 6 located at 737 Francisco BLVD W, San Rafael, Ca from July 30, 2024 thru September 20 , 2024.
Copies of any contracts or agreements signed by residents participating in the motel program or staying at the motels from camp compassion aka temporary camp at Lee Gerner Park, Novato , Ca.
Notices of communications posted at the motels regarding the motel program or expected end date .
Any requests for assistance from Novato Police regarding Griff Squire in connection to the motel program.
Any requests from the City of Novato to the Novato Police department regarding Michael Robertson and Kathy Plumb's refusal to leave the Days Inn between Aug 20,2024 and August 30, 2024.

Applications:
Copies of all applications received by the City of Novato from individuals seeking to live at the temporary camp at Lee Garner Park at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, Ca aka Camp Compassion.
Information about the number of applications received and the criteria used to select residents .

Please provide any records that fall within the scope of this request , including but not limited to :
Eviction Notices
Hearing transcripts
Policy documents
Application forms
Correspondence from the City of Novato to the camp residents
Motel Contracts
Notices posted at the Motel.
Police reports or incident reports related to Griff Squire and MIchael Robertson.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Robbie Powelson

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City of Novato

--- Please respond above this line ---
RE: City Records Request of October 30, 2024, Reference # N000306-103024 Dear Robbie Powelson, The City of Novato received a public records request from you on October 30, 2024. Your request was as follows: I am writing to request any and all records, policies and procedures related to evictions and applications at the temporary camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, Ca in Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.

Specifically , I am interested in the following information:

Evictions :
Any and all records or documentation, memos or memorandum of understanding related to evictions of Sheila and Crystal, Bryan Duran and Jess Tassi From the temporary camp at Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion From 2021 thru present
Any communications with the City of Novato or its agents or service providers related to Sheila and Crystals eviction from Sanctioned encampment at Lee Garner Park aka Camp Compassion including emails, memos or meeting minutes or memorandum of understanding Novato Police Department or its agents, advise given regarding eviction and allowing violence to continue From January 2024 thru July 2024 .
All evictions and notices , contracts , and agreements related to the evictions of all camp residents from the Motel /hotel program at the Days Inn Located at from the City of Novato after the fire from July 30, 2024 ending Aug 30, 2024.
Records of any hearings or appeals related to these evictions
Information regarding the reasons for the evictions, including allegations of violence or not following code of conduct, hoarding or any requests for evictions made to the City of Novato from the Marin County chapter or The California Homeless Union.
Details about why these individuals were not evicted despite allegations of violence , and misconduct , hate speech and hoarding behavior or at the request of union designee(s)
Information about the City's Failure to appear on a scheduled eviction date .

City Policies :
Copies of all city policies or procedures governing evictions from the homeless camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd , Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.
Information about the criteria used to determine whether a resident of the camp should be evicted.
Details about the process for serving eviction notices and conducting hearings.

Motel/Hotel Program :
Information about the motel program implemented after the fire on July 30, 2024 at the temporary camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato , Ca Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.
The total cost to the City of Novato for housing the homeless camp residents from Lee Gerner Park at the Days Inn 8141 Redwood BLVD Novato, Ca , Inn Marin located at 250 Entrada Dr Novato, and Motel 6 located at 737 Francisco BLVD W, San Rafael, Ca from July 30, 2024 thru September 20 , 2024.
Copies of any contracts or agreements signed by residents participating in the motel program or staying at the motels from camp compassion aka temporary camp at Lee Gerner Park, Novato , Ca.
Notices of communications posted at the motels regarding the motel program or expected end date .
Any requests for assistance from Novato Police regarding Griff Squire in connection to the motel program.
Any requests from the City of Novato to the Novato Police department regarding Michael Robertson and Kathy Plumb's refusal to leave the Days Inn between Aug 20,2024 and August 30, 2024.

Applications:
Copies of all applications received by the City of Novato from individuals seeking to live at the temporary camp at Lee Garner Park at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, Ca aka Camp Compassion.
Information about the number of applications received and the criteria used to select residents .

Please provide any records that fall within the scope of this request , including but not limited to :
Eviction Notices
Hearing transcripts
Policy documents
Application forms
Correspondence from the City of Novato to the camp residents
Motel Contracts
Notices posted at the Motel.
Police reports or incident reports related to Griff Squire and MIchael Robertson.
The City of Novato has reviewed its files and has located responsive records to your request. Please log in to the Public Records Center at the following link to retrieve the responsive records. City Records Request - N000306-103024 The City is continuing to review its records and will provide any additional responsive records when they become available.  This review is expected to be completed and the records provided to you within 30 days of this message.  Please note, by furnishing you this initial response the City does not waive any of its rights to claim or invoke any exemptions or other grounds for withholding any records located during its research and review which it determines to be responsive to any request but not required to be disclosed under the California Public Records Act.

The City intends to provide its grounds for withholding any records at the completion of the review and disclosure process.  If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact me by replying to this email. Best, Laura McDowall
City Clerk

--- Please respond above this line ---
RE: City Records Request of October 30, 2024, Reference # N000306-103024 Dear Robbie Powelson, This message follows my communication of November 12, 2024.  The City of Novato received a public records request from you on October 30, 2024. Your request mentioned:
I am writing to request any and all records, policies and procedures related to evictions and applications at the temporary camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, Ca in Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.

Specifically , I am interested in the following information:

Evictions :
Any and all records or documentation, memos or memorandum of understanding related to evictions of Sheila and Crystal, Bryan Duran and Jess Tassi From the temporary camp at Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion From 2021 thru present
Any communications with the City of Novato or its agents or service providers related to Sheila and Crystals eviction from Sanctioned encampment at Lee Garner Park aka Camp Compassion including emails, memos or meeting minutes or memorandum of understanding Novato Police Department or its agents, advise given regarding eviction and allowing violence to continue From January 2024 thru July 2024 .
All evictions and notices , contracts , and agreements related to the evictions of all camp residents from the Motel /hotel program at the Days Inn Located at from the City of Novato after the fire from July 30, 2024 ending Aug 30, 2024.
Records of any hearings or appeals related to these evictions
Information regarding the reasons for the evictions, including allegations of violence or not following code of conduct, hoarding or any requests for evictions made to the City of Novato from the Marin County chapter or The California Homeless Union.
Details about why these individuals were not evicted despite allegations of violence , and misconduct , hate speech and hoarding behavior or at the request of union designee(s)
Information about the City's Failure to appear on a scheduled eviction date .

City Policies :
Copies of all city policies or procedures governing evictions from the homeless camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd , Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.
Information about the criteria used to determine whether a resident of the camp should be evicted.
Details about the process for serving eviction notices and conducting hearings.

Motel/Hotel Program :
Information about the motel program implemented after the fire on July 30, 2024 at the temporary camp located at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato , Ca Lee Gerner Park aka Camp Compassion.
The total cost to the City of Novato for housing the homeless camp residents from Lee Gerner Park at the Days Inn 8141 Redwood BLVD Novato, Ca , Inn Marin located at 250 Entrada Dr Novato, and Motel 6 located at 737 Francisco BLVD W, San Rafael, Ca from July 30, 2024 thru September 20 , 2024.
Copies of any contracts or agreements signed by residents participating in the motel program or staying at the motels from camp compassion aka temporary camp at Lee Gerner Park, Novato , Ca.
Notices of communications posted at the motels regarding the motel program or expected end date .
Any requests for assistance from Novato Police regarding Griff Squire in connection to the motel program.
Any requests from the City of Novato to the Novato Police department regarding Michael Robertson and Kathy Plumb's refusal to leave the Days Inn between Aug 20,2024 and August 30, 2024.

Applications:
Copies of all applications received by the City of Novato from individuals seeking to live at the temporary camp at Lee Garner Park at 1720 Novato Blvd, Novato, Ca aka Camp Compassion.
Information about the number of applications received and the criteria used to select residents .

Please provide any records that fall within the scope of this request , including but not limited to :
Eviction Notices
Hearing transcripts
Policy documents
Application forms
Correspondence from the City of Novato to the camp residents
Motel Contracts
Notices posted at the Motel.
Police reports or incident reports related to Griff Squire and Michael Robertson.
Under Government Code section 7922.535, subdivision (a), this message shall serve as a formal response to your request. This message shall also serve as notification that I am the person responsible for determining which records are responsive and subject to production under Government Code section 7922.540.

The City has reviewed your request and determined there are responsive documents as well as certain records which have been determined to be exempt from disclosure. Pursuant to Government Code section 7922.540, the responsive records are available using the following link: City Records Request - N000306-103024 I reviewed the responsive documents and certain records responsive to your request are exempt from disclosure under Government Code sections 7923.600 (police investigation records) and p ersonally Identifying Information – Government Code section 7922.000; American Civil Liberties Union Foundation v. Superior Court (2017) 221 Cal.Rptr.3d 832. The public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure of information that infringes upon privacy rights. As such, we have redacted personally identifying information including home addresses, telephone numbers, license plate numbers, etc.
Please be advised the City will not allow inspection or copying of any privileged documents. While we will try to remove all privileged documents, the inadvertent inclusion of any privileged documents does not constitute a waiver and we ask you to notify us of any privileged material that is inadvertently provided. Also be advised the City is not required to produce documents that are exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act, records destroyed in accordance with Government Code section 34090 and the City’s records retention policy, or records that include such information that the public interest served by not disclosing the records clearly outweighs the public interest served by the disclosure of the records.

Under Government Code section 7922.600, please let me know if you would like to discuss your request further or if I can assist you in clarifying the request, identifying records responsive to the request, or requesting additional records.

Kindest regards,

Laura McDowall
City Clerk cc: Amy Cunningham, City Manager Gary Bell, City Attorney Conor Harkins, Assistant City Attorney Mackenzie Anderson, Assistant City Attorney