CC Minutes - 05/20/13 Work Session

Home Browse Search

MINUTES Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8 Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 May 20, 2013 5:30 p.m. Councilors Present: George Brown, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, Claire Syrett, Greg Evans Councilors Absent: George Poling Her Honor, Mayor Piercy, convened the May 20, 2013, City Council work session. A. WORK SESSION: HOMELESS CAMPING AIC Parks and Open Space Division Manager Mark Schoening re- introduced this topic and reviewed the proposed options and list of potential sites that had been identified in previous discussions. If the ordinance amendments were adopted, the City Manager would identify which sites would be used for camping purposes by Administrative Order. Following that action, a public hearing would be scheduled to receive public input before any final adoption or action took place. Mayor Piercy read a letter from Rev. Dan Bryant regarding the Micro - Housing Project at the Garfield site and asking the City to postpone the decision about how to pay for the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) fees if there was no money in the contingency fund. Discussion Summary: • This is a tough issue with no quick or easy resolution. • If camping on City owned land is allowed, bathrooms, garbage service and some level of security should be provided at each site. • The City can't afford to underwrite the ongoing expense of providing sanitary and security services. • If site users are to be screened, how does that happen, who does it, what is the cost and where do those not allowed in the authorized sites go to sleep? • A maximum of eight to twelve sites should be designated, as this is pilot project only. • The money spent by Public Works /Parks staff for clean -up is unbudgeted money and not something that can be transferred for another use. • Concerns were expressed that the discussion was assuming a more permanent solution to the overnight camping issue, rather than a simple, smaller -scale plan. The original goal was to allow unhoused people to sleep without penalty. • It was noted the proposed ordinance defines "overnight sleeping" as "from dusk to dawn ", which changes each season. • Concerns were expressed about competing needs and the reality of non - profit agencies closing their doors due to lack of funding. Social service agencies depend on money from various sources to address elements of homelessness. • There is wide support for partnering with other local agencies, faith communities, businesses and individuals, to make the proposal more sustainable. MINUTES— Eugene City Council May 20, 2013 Page 1 Work Session