Discuss and consider whether to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of opposition to AB 302, which would require community colleges with on campus parking facilities to implement an overnight parking program to allow qualified homeless students to sleep in their vehicles.

A proposed letter of opposition is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

If AB 302 passes, community colleges with on campus parking facilities (“parking facilities”) would be required to grant qualified homeless students access to the parking facilities for the purpose of sleeping in their vehicles overnight. The proposed bill, which is attached as Exhibit B, would require colleges to determine a plan of action to implement this requirement on or before July 1, 2020. Some of the requirements the colleges must include in a plan of action are: (1) a designated area for overnight parking, along with hours of operation and rules for use; (2) monitoring of the overnight parking area; (2) a form and liability waiver completed and signed by participating students; (3) waiver of overnight parking fees; and (4) accessible restroom facilities in reasonable proximity to the parking area.

The Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) opposes AB 302. While they support the intent of providing support to vulnerable student populations, the bill does not fix the real housing and affordability challenges faced by these students. Their position is that a “one size fits all” mandate does not make sense for California’s diverse community college system and would result in significant costs incurred and increased liability implications. The ACCCA supports Senate Bill 568 (Portantini), which would provide housing options for homeless students and would provide services to support homeless students’ in transitioning to stable housing and remaining enrolled in college.

IMPACT ON CITY OF ROCKLIN:

The City of Rocklin Police Department currently provides police services to Sierra College through a contract arrangement. These services include on-site law enforcement from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and additional services during off-duty hours through dispatch and off-hour patrols, as needed. Implementation of an overnight parking program meeting the requirements of AB 302 will most certainly increase the scope of police services Rocklin provides to Sierra College. In addition to the homeless students who qualify for overnight parking, it is anticipated that non-student overnight car campers will be attracted to the parking facilities. As a result, it is anticipated Rocklin PD will expend considerable resources patrolling the parking facility and determining whether individuals sleeping in cars are qualified homeless students who have complied with the college’s program or simply overnight campers.

Diverting Rocklin PD resources to monitor and address overnight parking issues at the college means fewer resources will be available to serve the Rocklin community as a whole. Furthermore, the bill does not take into account the negative impacts an overnight parking program may have on the residential neighborhoods and businesses that surround Sierra College, and the community support the college currently enjoys.