What is the City doing to address various safety concerns associated with homelessness, like random attacks, thefts, overdoses, and urinating and sleeping in public?
The Police Department's Patrol Task Force is a team of officers dedicated addressing homelessness and the illegal activities that are often associated. This team does an excellent job engaging in street outreach and offering services to individuals in need. In 2023, the number of officers on the Patrol Task Force has increased and the Police Department remains committed to working with residents, business owners, partner organizations, and other law enforcement agencies to keep City streets safe. 

The Community Development Housing Services team, in partnership with the Patrol Task Force, is working to reduce the number of encampments, the number people experiencing homelessness, and overall vagrancy throughout the City.  
 
Housing Services has also partnered with Ventura County and the cities of Oxnard and Thousand Oaks to create a comprehensive and strategic homelessness plan which will allow us to identify gaps in the current system and ensure that we are funding the necessary programs and services that make a noticeable impact. The City currently funds several initiatives to combat homelessness, including having social workers through the Ventura County Human Services Agency and Downtown Ventura Partners who regularly provide people in need with resources and services.  
 
The City and County of Ventura also fund a year-round, low-barrier shelter that can house 55 people. At this shelter, operated by Mercy House and often referred to as The ARCH, homeless individuals can receive case management, and assistance with behavioral health, physical health, and substance abuse issues. 

Ventura does need additional emergency and transitional shelter beds if we want to see a significant decrease in people experiencing homelessness. In March 2023, the Housing Services Division applied for the Encampment Resolution Funding, which will allow the City to increase the number of emergency and transitional shelter beds while ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness are provided with necessary assistance and resources to transition into permanent housing.

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1. How can local businesses become more involved with the X-Games?
2. What steps are being taken to ensure better flow during the X-Games in July?
3. Are there plans to improve the Fairgrounds, including the restrooms, before the X-Games?
4. When will the Ventura Unified School District begin allowing the public access to their playgrounds and fields after school hours?
5. Are there any plans in place improve east end services for seniors?
6. Is there an update on the status of the Main Street Moves street closure becoming permanent? What is the City’s plan for mitigating the increased traffic and speeding surrounding streets due to this c
7. Will the units at the La Quinta Inn truly be affordable and able to help those in need?
8. The Planning Commission reduced public comment time at the May 24 meeting. Can you please provide clarification on what the rule is for reducing time for public comment?
9. What the City is doing to address vagrancy and the increase in RVs lived in on City streets?
10. How is staff working to reduce illegal dumping of human waste, camping in public spaces, and in holding people accountable for their actions?
11. What is the City doing to address various safety concerns associated with homelessness, like random attacks, thefts, overdoses, and urinating and sleeping in public?
12. Are there any plans to add a dog park amenity at Kimball Park?
13. What will be done to make it safer to ride a bike in Ventura?
14. How does the City plan to address various freeway on- and off-ramps that were built for less-populous times? How can the City work to improve the safety of the 101 and 33 ramps at Johnson, Seaward,
15. What's happening with the Olivas Parks Specific Plan?
16. How will the City support and work with the Native community?
17. How can the City go about redirecting future taxpayer dollars to support a local firm capable of the same work?
18. Will the City reconsider the 2026-27 FY plan to repave Cedar St. near Seneca?