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HomeMy WebLinkAbout181212 WSMINUTES – Eugene City Council December 12, 2018 Page 1 Work Session M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 December 12, 2018 12:00 p.m. Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Jennifer Yeh, Claire Syrett (via phone), Alan Zelenka, Mike Clark. Chris Pryor, Betty Taylor Councilors Absent: Greg Evans Mayor Vinis opened the December 12, 2018, Work Session of the Eugene City Council. 1. WORK SESSION: 525 Highway 99 Dusk to Dawn and/or Rest Stop Site Designation Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt and City Manager’s Office Division Manager Becky DeWitt provided an update on the temporary shelter located at Hwy 99 and outlined a proposal to re-designate the camp as a dusk-to-dawn or rest stop site. Council Discussion • Concerns expressed about who will manage the proposed site(s), who will help triage residents of the current site for transition, and whether there are plans to enforce any illegal camping that results from those who oppose or are banned from St. Vincent DePaul facilities. • The dusk-to-dawn model will not address everyone’s needs. While the proposed changeover should provide better oversight, consideration should be given to installing an on-site manager at the current camp. • The establishment of homeless camps and shelters along Hwy 99 may impact the available resources at the Lindholm Center. The City should help to fund some of the additional services needed at that facility. • Questions asked about where the money for the proposed dusk-to-dawn site is coming from, what the anticipated effect on nearby businesses will be, and whether it makes sense to explore the creation of smaller sites to disperse the campers more equitably. It is critical to provide shelter for people with pets. • The City has an obligation to be more responsive to the homeless crisis, but can’t be expected to provide ideal spaces that meet every need. Any site must accommodate those who work at night, by providing a place to sleep during the day. • Clarification requested about how a dusk-to-dawn model was chosen, what work is being done to gain State support and resources for the issue, and whether empty jail space could be used for emergency shelter. • The proposal before council is a temporary winter strategy that provides safe, secure shelter. It is not intended to be a permanent solution. Failure to act on the proposed transition will mean that Lane County will be solely responsible for decisions related to the current camp. • Important that council and staff not lose sight of the goal to establish a downtown day center. • Claims that increasing services for the homeless population will draw more homeless to the community are untrue. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to allow the operation of a dusk-to-dawn and/or rest stop at 525 Highway 99. FAILED 1:6, Councilor Syrett in favor. MINUTES – Eugene City Council December 12, 2018 Page 3 Work Session Beth Forrest City Recorder Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.