HomeMy WebLinkAboutSmith, Tonya_Public CommentFrom:Tonya Smith
To:PublicComments
Date:Wednesday, April 1, 2026 12:19:07 PM
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Dear Mayor and Council Members,
My name is Tonya Smith and I am submitting this formal public comment regarding the City
Council meeting on April 1, 2026, to address serious concerns involving the $10 million
HHAP-6 grant and ongoing violations of state and federal law.
As the city accepted these funds on March 19, it is legally obligated under California SB 1380
and Welfare and Institutions Code § 8255 to adhere to a "Housing First" model. Current
practices, including trespassing arrests and the seizure of survival gear without the required
72-hour notice, appear to violate these mandates as well as the 14th Amendment and the
federal ruling in Lavan v. City of Los Angeles. Failure to comply with these grant terms puts
the city at risk of a state clawback of the $10 million in funding.
Furthermore, the city’s treatment of residents with substance use disorders and chronic health
conditions raises significant legal concerns. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, addiction and chronic illnesses like
heart failure are classified as disabilities. Denying housing or medical care based on these
diagnoses constitutes medical discrimination.
I am personally familiar with these issues, having been denied necessary medical care during a
previous arrest for trespassing. Despite exhibiting clear symptoms of heart failure, I was met
with punitive restraint and verbal intimidation by law enforcement, in violation of California
Penal Code § 835a and the "Duty of Care" standards established in Title 15, § 3999.401.
I urge the Council to implement a "Services First" ordinance to protect both the health of our
residents and the city’s state funding. Please prioritize the following legal compliance
measures:
1. SB 1380 Compliance: Ensure all state-funded homelessness programs prioritize housing
without sobriety or service requirements.
2. Due Process for Property: Cease the summary seizure of personal belongings and provide
the legally mandated 72-hour notice.
3. ADA and Medical Accommodations: Recognize addiction as a chronic disease and ensure
law enforcement provides immediate medical aid to detainees in distress.
Thank you for your attention to these critical matters.
Best regards,
Tonya Smith