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Updated May 11, 2016 with comments from Michael McConnell, advocate for the homeless
By Jonathan Goetz
May 10, 2016 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon City Council praised the new owners of the Villa Serena Motel today for being “most cooperative” and “going above and beyond what we asked” as police evicted the residents at this 23-unit long-term hotel. Building inspectors found extensive building violations that have since been addressed.
Staff recommended $4,400.53 in fines and cost recovery but the Council approved only the cost recovery fees. The $2,800 in fines levied by Fire Marshall Dan Pavao will instead be held in the tax rolls and returned to the owners if no additional violations are discovered within the next year. The new owners promised to eliminate long-term rentals that are typically used by the homeless or near homeless population.
Following that vote, the Council cancelled its August 23rd meeting, tabled a motion to waive bidding requirements and award a no-bid contract to Taser International for body cameras, authorized the hiring of an additional building inspector and directed Staff to research putting signs on Main Street and Second Street asking residents and patrons to refrain from giving homeless people food or money.
Michael McConnell, an advocate for the homeless who served as San Diego team leader of the "25 Cities" national initiative to end homelessness, shared his concerns with ECM over the city of El Cajon's handling of the homeless situation.
"While hotels/motels are not ideal long-term living situations, low cost properties can be life-saving for people on the verge of homelessness. Instead of encouraging the evictions of those using these properties, El Cajon should be assisting the residents with long-term permanent housing solutions," McConnell said.
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