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Mr. Farr recalled the establishment of the homeless camping program, saying it felt like a quantum leap at <br />the time. He suggested that the City needed to highlight the program to let residents know it existed. He <br />agreed with Mr. Clark that more outreach might produce more camping spots. He was personally aware <br />of a church with interest in providing a camping spot. He asked how the City could facilitate the <br />establishment of more such spaces. He suggested that south Eugene could accommodate some spaces. <br />Mr. Farr believed the City's investment in camping spaces produced a positive return. <br />Ms. Ortiz said that residents in her ward called 9 -1 -1 about problems with homeless camping but did not <br />feel they received a response. She asked if they should contact Public Works instead. City Manager Ruiz <br />suggested that residents' concerns be referred to the staff committee. <br />Ms. Ortiz asked why the City prohibited camping in parks such as Trainsong Park. She suggested a <br />homeless camper could deter graffiti and vandalism in the park. Mr. Wisth said that some City parks do <br />accommodate homeless camping. Staff had discussed expanding that element of the program and was <br />working with the community to find a balanced and workable solution. Ms. Ortiz suggested that there <br />was a different level of tolerance for homelessness in certain parts of the community. She perceived a <br />greater level of tolerance for homeless camping in her ward from both the community and law <br />enforcement. <br />Speaking to Ms. Ortiz's remarks, Mayor Piercy observed that the City's affordable housing was <br />deliberately disbursed throughout the community and suggested it would require a similar approach to <br />distribute homeless camping more evenly across the community. <br />Referring to Ms. Ortiz's remarks about the deterrent effect of campers in the parks, Mayor Piercy <br />suggested that a homeless camper in the parking lot at Tiny's Tavern could have a similar deterrent effect <br />on negative behaviors in Scobert Park. <br />Ms. Taylor suggested that the community actually needed State - supported shelters for the homeless rather <br />than camping spaces. <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Taylor, Sergeant Stubbs confirmed that homeless campers had to pay <br />a fine to get their impounded vehicle back. Ms. Taylor found that horrible. She said that such fines <br />compounded homeless campers' already existing problems. <br />At the request of Mayor Piercy, Chief Kerns shared the story of a chronically homeless individual the <br />department assisted with temporary housing who was ultimately able to become sober and secure gainful <br />employment. <br />Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Beth Forrest <br />City Recorder <br />(Recorded by Kimberly Young) <br />MINUTES— Eugene City Council June 13, 2011 Page 4 <br />Work Session <br />