September 10, 2024 Dear Mayor Sayers: RE: Homeless Shelter – September 17 – VOTE NO Having attended numerous City meetings you know that I live in East Lenexa and that I continue to have many concerns and questions pertaining to the Homeless Shelterplanned by the county for the old La Quinta and Dennys at 95th Street and I-35. Although I do not live within 200 feet of the proposed center, my questions and concerns deserve answers. The County Chairman, several commissioners, and staff have NOT provided accurate information about this shelter. I have attended or listened to recordings pertaining to this proposed shelter since September 2023. During the BOCC meetings, Committee of the Whole, and Study Sessions, the public could NOT ask questions AND receive answers! Note: Generally, at BOCC Thursday 9:30 meetings the public is allowed to ask questions, but answers are extremely rare! Thus, those of us in attendance only heard what they said out loud and not what happened behind closed doors – now we know what they said to the public was NOT the whole story. On August 25 and September 4, I submitted the following questions to the County regarding the shelter. The BOCC Priorities web page lists the #1 priority is to “improve housing options for the resident needs.” If nothing else, shouldn’t the priority be based on those currently homeless in Johnson County? Why is the county buying a than 47-year-old building for 6 million dollars – nearly twice the appraised value? What was the rush to buy this building? Who submitted bids for this building in addition to the county to raising the price to $6 million? Has the BOCC toured La Quinta? Would they even let anyone in Denny’s? Due diligence reports note extensive repairs are required. Having driven through the parking lot it is in horrible repair! Who was the “Design Team” contracted to complete the SUP for submittal? Was it SFS Architecture? Since reStart is responsible for the SUP, why didn’t reStart pay for the development of the SUP? The cost according to Due Diligence information (updated 7/29/2024) was $103,000 and paid by the county. Due Diligence Reports: Property Condition repairs over a 10-year period estimated at a minimum of $1.5 million dollars. Who will pay this? reStart TODAY can NOT cover their operational costs for year one – how will they cover future repairs? I believe the shelter is to be operational late 2025. Correct? JoCo is paying 3.7 million for renovations. Who is responsible for the other renovation costs? Roofs, HVAC, bringing the building “up to code”. Typically, renovations cost more, take longer & there is always a surprise – increasing cost & increasing time. Who will fund these additional costs? How are “drop offs” defined? Another group of individuals meeting with the county was told that reStart would NOT allow any police drop offs. What is the answer? What happens when a van drops off 10-15 people at the 95th street exit and they are told to walk to the shelter? CES is unavailable on evenings and weekends. Today, businesses inproximity to La Quinta have homeless people sleeping on benches, in front of their entrance doors, and in trash bins. It was my understanding that Long-Term – meant 12-18 months; and others have been told residents with the “right criteria” could potentially live out their lives at this shelter? 20+ years? What is the answer? Who will be allowed to reside in the homeless shelter? Just males? Adults? – male, female, couples, children? We know that most illegal immigrants are young males from countries hostile to the US. Can individuals stay if they are on or sell drugs, been arrested for drug or sex trafficking, murders, rapes other charges in another country? Is “rent” paid by the individual working or by county rent vouchers? What “wraparound” services are being offered to the individuals? If services are offered on a voluntary basis and an individual does not participate, what are the consequences? Mental Health services from JoCo – who will pay for these services when they are provided to individuals under reStart’s operation? What happens to individuals that require mental hospital care? Are individuals admitted with untreated mental health diagnosis? Are psychiatrists & psychologists on staff? How much is the county paying for mental health services and other support services that will not be covered by reStart? Why was an “elected” person NOT included on the RFP proposal review and selection? Why wasn’t a search for owner/operator done on a national basis? Why was city union excluded? Why was Hillcrest Ministries not considered? Why were “we” told that the owner/operator would be responsible for ALL ongoing costs when the owner/operator selected required additional operational funding? What is reStart’s “graduation rate? Over what period of time? What is reStart’s recidivism rate? Over what period of time? Funding gap? What if cities don’t pay their “fees?” Who will pay? What about Denny’s – who will pay for renovations? What if Lenexa condemns this building? Governor Abbott in Texas is requiring that ALL hospitals to collect information on illegal immigrants who use Texas public hospitals for inpatient and emergency care and to report incurred healthcare costs. It is possible to collect information on illegal immigrants. Thus, JoCo homeless SHOULD have priority! If homeless people have jobs, legally they must a social security number to report income to the IRS. Will reStart allow individuals to take work for “cash” only? If a person is sleeping in a car, there should be a way of tracking where the car is registered — unless it is stolen and then it should be reported! Who is liable if a person at the homeless shelter rapes or kills – man, woman or child; vandalizes a business or person property or person? In an email March 4, 2024, Megan Foreman wrote: Residents–The homeless services center is intended to serve Johnson County residents experiencing homelessness. The owner/operator will follow HUD guidelines to determine a person’s connection