City Council - Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee

City of Bellingham Public Health, Safety, and Justice Committee Minutes February 8, 2021, 1:00 PM Mayor Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members, Daniel Hammill, Chair www.cob.org/council Gene Knutson, Hollie Huthman All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order Roll Call Present: Committee Chair Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Committee Member Gene Knutson, Second Ward Committee Member Hollie Huthman, At-Large Council Standing Committee Meetings Open to the public to attend. Note: there is generally no public comment period for Committee sessions. Standing Committee Members receive reports and information, ask questions and, when appropriate, vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the Regular Meeting. The notice of Committee Meetings identified below also serves as notice of Special Meetings of the City Council at the times identified as Council Members who are not members of the committee routinely attend and participate in the Committee Meetings. Committee Chairs give a report of the Committee Meeting at the Regular Meeting in the evening prior to deliberation and formal vote in the order shown below: Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Gene Knutson, Hollie Huthman 22904 1. Presentation by Whatcom County Health on Serving the Homeless p. 3 Anne Deacon, of Whatcom County Health Department, gave a presentation on serving homeless persons and the housing efforts that are available and coming online. $6.8 million was just received by a Federal grant to the County that will be added to rental assistance programs. Council Members asked questions. She then explained the funding to create the programs for housing. Funding sources have their own requirements. Anne provided an overview document on Shelter Bed Capacity in Whatcom County and explained it in detail. In the past year, community partners have Public Health, Safety, and Justice Committee Minutes Page 1 February 8, 2021  worked to increase capacity to Base Camp, year-round funding dedicated to YWCA and Lydia Place has increased, and the City & County winter motel funds have also increased. Shelter beds have expanded to 330 beds, five new beds at YWCA, four motel rooms for Lydia Place, 39 overflow beds (CTK/LMM), 48 motel vouchers for City of Bellingham, and 96 motel vouchers (WCHD) for a total of 522 total beds for the winter demand. Swift Haven has 25 additional beds. Last night there were 88 unused shelter beds. Since the encampment on Bellingham City Hall lawn, Base Camp was not fully utilized. Homeless advocates reported that vulnerable people were assaulted and raped and those who called 911 were not allowed access into the camp. Drug activity was prevelant there and many were off their meds at the Camp 210. Case managers reported being assaulted and not allowed access into the Camp. She strongly encouraged against a government response with no structure and rules of conduct for a shelter stating those most vulnerable are often taken advantage of. Misinformation about Base Camp is a continual frustration. The Health Department are losing a lot of people to these encampments. Council Members asked questions. The Health Department will not recommend government provide shelters but does not prevent private entities from contributing their services. Anne expressed that case managers reported that they know each one of the individuals at the Geri Field camp. Health providers and case managers have been denied access to those at the camp. Anne shared that because people are in tents, case managers often report that they cannot get access to those who need help. Michael Lilliquist reported that he called and asked the Police about alledged assaults and rapes at Base Camp and was told there were not any. He said if there were any, they were not reported. He then asked if the Byron Street Facility could be a severe weather option. He also explained that some shelters do not provide space for those who work at night and need to sleep in the day. Council Member Anderson shared that Tara Sundin, Economic Development Manager, reported that Base Camp serves a working group for those who work at night and provides access to a separate space to sleep where they are not disturbed during the day. Health Department Director Lautenbach expressed that though she does not have much to add, she recognizes Anne and the team that work on homelessness issues. Anne has been doing the work for 40 years and she appreciates her experience and the work that is being done. Public Health, Safety, and Justice Committee Minutes Page 2 February 8, 2021  Hannah Stone asked about the rumors at Geri Field, if there are positive COVID- 19 cases. Director Lautenbach explained that there are just rumors. Base Camp provides COVID-19 rapid testing at intake. Information only. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM. Public Health, Safety, and Justice Committee Minutes Page 3 February 8, 2021