Residents press council for scheduled cleanup of large encampment; city staff confirms tentative January operation

Multiple residents urged immediate and regular action on a large encampment known locally as the Royal Simi site. John Smith told the council the situation is unsafe, cited trash, human waste, fire hazards, drug paraphernalia and damage to habitat, and asked the council to commit to lawful, consistent cleanups and enforcement rather than sporadic removals.

Linda Bosley, representing residents and businesses near 900 West Los Angeles Avenue, said she had been told the city contracted a vendor for a cleanup tentatively scheduled for 01/08/2026 and that the vendor estimated four days to complete the removal. Bosley described recent observed campfires, reiterated public‑safety concerns, and asked for confirmation of the schedule and for public reporting on measurable progress.

During council comments, the city manager and city manager's office said the cleanup was tentatively planned for the week of January, with staff expecting one to two days to complete work but holding additional days to ensure operational needs are met. Staff said notifications and posted signs are occurring and that housing assistance and resources were being offered to encampment residents ahead of the operation.

Council members and staff acknowledged both the urgency of public‑safety risks and the need for humane outreach and housing resources for people living in encampments. Councilmembers committed to continued coordination with police, public works, the vendor, and community stakeholders and to returning with status updates; a specific cleanup target of early January was cited by staff and echoed by residents in public comment.