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It is a volunteer program and they must be capable to take part in the program, follow their doctors orders, be compatible with the other residents, and monitoring of the treatment program is ongoing. Evaluation of the program is done by Mental Health Services and the Health Inspector. Ms. Vosburg added that it is rare for the treating physician to visit the facility, and that residents generally go to their physicians offices. In answer to Councilwoman Buchan's questions regarding notification of property owners around 251 Jackson and the confusion of terms used to describe the residents, Ms. Vosburg read her letter inviting the neighbors to a meeting, and stated that their residents are legally classified as disabled and the term in the letter was appropriate. Ms. Vosburg stated the administration headquarters of the Community Living Center is in Chico, California. In answer to Council questions, Ms. Vosburg advised the program was entirely voluntary and not a "diversion" program of any kind; all the staff had degrees in psychology or social services with one year experience and in a masters program; their staff provided supportive counseling but not psychotherapy, basic living skills, but no diagnoses; there is no medical staff on duty, and residents go to their own primary physicians; the Center is responsible for centrally storing, monitoring and dispensing medication, but does not administer it; the residents prepare their meals in a communal setting with staff assistance; the average length of stay is 12 months and the maximum is 24 months; and there have been approximately 120 residents in the last 14 years. Ms. Vosburg advised that the police do respond when they call for services, and the issue of full disclosure and impact on surrounding homes was discussed. In answer to questions regarding the number of homes in Redwood City and the '- rest of San Mateo County, Ms. Vosburg stated the Community Living Center has two in the larger Redwood City area and one in Daly City. Beverly Abbott, 13000 Skyline Blvd., Woodside, Director of Mental Health Services of San Mateo County, advised there are approximately 270 residents of a like nature in the County with 61 within the Redwood City limits and 30 in the unincorporated area. Carmen Lee, 766 Chestnut Street, member of the self-help Peninsula Network of Mental health Services, told the Council she had been in and out of hospitals for 25 years until she went to live in a residential home like Hawthorne House where with therapy and medication she became well enough to live on her own. Ms. Lee described her years of despair, and how the pain of mental illness does not show like a person wearing a cast. Ms. Lee spoke about the privileges of holding a job and paying taxes, and urged Council to dispel the myths surrounding the mentally ill by allowing neighbors to see what good neighbors Hawthorne residents can be. Giulio Goggiano, owner of 515 Jackson Avenue, Redwood City, for over 27 years and one of the appellants, presented a petition (Exhibit 3) with 224 signatures asking Council to reject the Use Permit. Mr. Goggiano referred to the density problem of the neighborhood addressed in Zoning Ordinance Regular Meeting Minutes MINUTE BOOK NO. 51 April 20, 1992 - Page No. 50 Page 8