Agenda Packet 12-10-18 Meeting - REVISED

Home Browse Search

MINUTES – Eugene City Council November 26, 2018 Page 2 Work Session 3.WORK SESSION: Rest Stop Program Update and Siting Policy DiscussionPolicy Analyst Jason Dedrick provided a brief update on the Rest Stop program and siting policy.Council Discussion •Rest Stop program was established as a low-cost way to provide shelter for people whohave no other shelter options; not meant to be a permanent solution. •The benefits of having shelter are proven; rest stops are imperfect, but currently helpful. •Councilors should be notified if there are problems or challenges at rest stops in their ward. •Consider additional funding to support operational expenses in the next budget cycle. •Rethink some of the limitations of the current program; may be adding unfairly to stigmasand stereotypes. •Council needs to know what changes can be made to the program to facilitate its expansion. •Rest Stop program is successful; over 40 percent of rest stop users have transitioned tomore stable housing. Rest stop residents have proven to be good neighbors •The program limitations contribute to the City’s inability to identify sites; education andoutreach important to destigmatizing the rest stop program. •Rest stops provide safety and security for the residents that needs to be emphasized. •Consider allocating more resources towards additional logistical support for rest stop siteidentification and outreach. •Giving the City Manager more discretion and authority to designate rest stop sites isreasonable; more flexibility on rest stop locations is also needed. •Ward 4 task team will begin looking at potential spaces for shelter options; greaterflexibility would be helpful. •An indoor shelter and day center is still a priority; reconsider using City Hall lot fortemporary shelter; downtown is ideal location for the unhoused to receive services. •Rest stop approach may be hindering council’s efforts to meaningfully address the issue ofhomelessness; a permanent shelter is possible but needs council support. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved to extend the work session by 10 minutes. PASSED 5:2, councilors Taylor and Clark opposed. •A permanent shelter will not solve the problem of homelessness; a follow-up discussionwith more specifics around options is needed. •Any changes to the ordinance would require a public hearing, giving people the opportunityto provide input. •Success of downtown will depend on everyone working together in good faith. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Syrett, seconded by Councilor Semple, moved that the City Manager prepare for council’s consideration a set of options for amending or revising the rest stop program and ordinance that have the potential to expand the number of sites established by the City. PASSED 6:1, Councilor Clark opposed. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Beth Forrest City Recorder Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here December 10, 2018, Meeting - Item 2A