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675 Seaport Boulevard, Redwood City, CA 94063 July 21, 2025 SENT BY EMAIL Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos Vice Mayor Kaia Eakin Members of the City Council City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road Redwood City, CA 94063 SUPPORT: Item 8.A. Anti-Camping Ordinance Dear Mayor Martínez Saballos, Vice Mayor Eakin, and City Councilmembers: Seaport Industrial Association (SIA) offers the following comments on Redwood City’s proposed anti- camping ordinance (“Hopeful Horizons”). SIA members include the industrial businesses along Seaport Boulevard and Blomquist Street, and the Port of Redwood City. We have followed the development of the ordinance and participated in two community workshops. We understand the urgent need to address camping on public streets by community members experiencing homelessness. We also know the City has a difficult task in balancing the need to protect public health and safety with compassion and concern for those who are unsheltered. We support Council’s efforts to strike this balance with an approach similar to the County’s. We especially support the use of an ordinance to encourage transitions to housing and treatment rather than recurrent fines that only result in movement of encampments. If the City passes the proposed ordinance, SIA has two requests: • Coordinate actively with other agencies and private entities. Because the ordinance applies only to city property, it does not directly affect two areas where encampments impact port area businesses: the US101/SR84 interchange and the Union Pacific (UPRR) railroad right of way along Seaport Blvd. and Blomquist St. The city should assign a staff member to develop relationships with appropriate contacts at Caltrans and UPRR and pursue active coordination on their property consistent with the City’s approach. We urge you to keep the Port and SIA informed about this coordination and seek our assistance if needed. • Coordinate the implementation of the ordinance with the State Encampment Resolution Grant the City received earlier this year. The grant provides funds specifically designated for the Seaport and freeway interchange area for activities tied to housing individuals living in those encampments. While the funding must be connected to individuals rather than encampments, a holistic approach would consider how enforcement is coordinated with these resources in the port area. Thank you for your consideration and leadership on this difficult issue. Sincerely, Greg Greenway Executive Director