Clarity needed on camping ordinance
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 5:11 pm
Colleagues & City Manager,
Upon reflecting on last week’s special called meetings, it seemed that while there was some broad debate in certain areas, there was also much agreement that additional clarity was desired for the camping ordinance. It also seemed clear that we’re not going to reach that clarity from the dais. My request is for the City Manager, Chief Manley, Chief Baker, and our other public safety leadership to make clearer for the community that existing laws are enforceable and if any ambiguity exists that cannot be addressed administratively. Only through collaboration with public safety will we find our way forward. This process is not going to work with further top-down mandates from the council.
For the core issue addressing homelessness in our city, I still strongly believe that we should not be providing overly specific direction to our new Homeless Strategy Officer. We let her expertise with the City Manager drive the hard work of getting people off our streets and into safer conditions with the direction and funding approved in the Action Plan to End Homelessness, the actions from June, and the budget approved two weeks ago.
I hope other council members will agree with me here on this thread and with that, the Manager and staff will provide the necessary clarity for the public.
CM Flannigan
Upon reflecting on last week’s special called meetings, it seemed that while there was some broad debate in certain areas, there was also much agreement that additional clarity was desired for the camping ordinance. It also seemed clear that we’re not going to reach that clarity from the dais. My request is for the City Manager, Chief Manley, Chief Baker, and our other public safety leadership to make clearer for the community that existing laws are enforceable and if any ambiguity exists that cannot be addressed administratively. Only through collaboration with public safety will we find our way forward. This process is not going to work with further top-down mandates from the council.
For the core issue addressing homelessness in our city, I still strongly believe that we should not be providing overly specific direction to our new Homeless Strategy Officer. We let her expertise with the City Manager drive the hard work of getting people off our streets and into safer conditions with the direction and funding approved in the Action Plan to End Homelessness, the actions from June, and the budget approved two weeks ago.
I hope other council members will agree with me here on this thread and with that, the Manager and staff will provide the necessary clarity for the public.
CM Flannigan