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Norma Guaspari, 2 Corte Camellia, Millbrae, President of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill, told the Council she too had been fearful of the mentally ill until her son had become ill; that the mentally ill do not become violent, but passive and withdr~wn; ,that one out of four people in America would experience some sort of mental illness; and her son, thanks to the Cassia House program, has rebuilt his life. Mrs. Guaspari urged Council to uphold the approval of the Use Permit. Mercedeh Hamed, 300-3rd Street, San Francisco, Client Program Coordinator of Hawthorne House, described the screening and supervising processes of their program, and admitted that ten years ago when she began her career in the mental health field, she too had concerns for personal safety, but learned through experience and study that there is no more aggression in the mentally ill than in the general population. Ms. Hamed advised that guarantees for safety could not be made to the neighbors nor could the neighbors guarantee the safety of the residents. Dena Karbo, 724 Windsor Way, Redwood City, advised that she would like to have the same respect as the residents of Hawthorne House, for the safety of her family and her property. Ms. Karbo advised her property is near 696 Upton house and those residents display disgusting behavior which has negatively impacted their neighborhood. Mrs. Karbo advised that she does not know if the residents of Hawthorne House will be similar to Upton or not. Mrs. Karbo advised that some of her neighbors have not been able to sell their homes because of the full disclosure law, and the apartment she owned on Jefferson and Adams lost potential renters when an article appeared in the San Mateo times about Hawthorne House moving in, describing the residents as psychotic. Ms. Karbo stated the proposed staff was inadequate and too young and would be unable to monitor 15 adults. Ms. Karbo also stated she resented Ms. Vosburg's comments regarding racial inequality and the apparent lack of sensitivity of the neighbors, which was not the case. Ms. Karbo questioned why Ms. Vosburg called for police services but did not explain why she did so, discussed the City's handling of the Upton house, and advised six parking spaces were inadequate for 15 adults, staff, visitors, deliveries and repair people, and made an impassioned plea for her safety, comfort and values, urging Council to uphold the appeal. Councilman Claire described the differences between Hawthorne House and 696 Upton and their clientele; how the boarding house at 696 Upton does not require state licensing nor a Use Permit; and how the City is vigorously pursuing the owner of the Upton site and possible Jefferson site to the fullest extent of the law. The City Manager expounded on the City's actions regarding 696 Upton. City Building Inspector Schnell described the inspections and citations the City has issued to the owners of 696 Upton, the illegal construction which will have to be removed and the backyard cleaned, and the coordination of the Building Department, Fire and Police personnel in seeking remedies to this situation. City Attorney Schricker advised that the situation with 696 Upton is not relevant to the proceedings regarding Hawthorne House; the City has no control over County placement of residents in room and boarding houses such Regular Meeting Minutes April 20, 1992 MINUTE BOOK NO. 51 Page 11 Page No. 53 .._-. .._.