City Council

City Hall Meeting Minutes 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 City Council Information: 360.753.8244 Tuesday, July 24, 2018 5:30 PM Council Chambers Study Session 1. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones, Councilmember Jessica Bateman, Councilmember Jim Cooper, Councilmember Clark Gilman, Councilmember Lisa Parshley and Councilmember Renata Rollins Excused: 1 - Mayor Cheryl Selby 2. BUSINESS ITEM 2.A 18-0717 Ongoing Response to Homelessness Needs City Manager Steve Hall gave a brief overview of the issues related to the enforcement of trespass on public properties, the priorities for enforcement, and how the City carries it out. Mr. Hall noted the Council has heard from business owners and others to enforce more and from the homeless and advocates to enforce less; often feeling as though walking a tightrope. Mr. Hall shared a list of stakeholders related to public property and trespass enforcement. He discussed the potential of using a Community Conversations format to engage stakeholders on this issue. Mr. Hall shared a map of homeless services in Thurston County, noting much of it is focused on Olympia and downtown. He noted there are not enough places for people to go during the day. Between midnight and 7:00 a.m. a person can sleep on sidewalks downtown, but has to move on at 7:00 a.m. Also, the organizations who provide shelter at night require people to move on at 7:00 a.m. He discussed City properties where trespass is enforced, highlighting the three priority areas. The three priorities are parks/trails due to public safety concerns, user conflicts and environment/habitat protection; Percival Canyon (and other sensitive lands and waterways) due to environmental threat and 4th/5th Avenue Bridges due to the gas pipeline (threat of fire), user conflicts and environmental and water quality concerns. Mr. Hall emphasized the City enforces with compassion, patience and balance. It is a balancing act in maintaining public space and finding alternative places for people to go. City of Olympia Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes July 24, 2018 He shared the resources staff use to respond to enforcement action. He discussed homeless response priorities and the two phases of immediate actions the City is working on, along with the work of other organizations working to provide services and shelter. Mr. Hall also shared a path forward regarding the encampment on recently acquired parks property on Wheeler Avenue (also referred to as the Nickerson encampment). Homeless Response Coordinator Colin DeForrest shared a sneak preview of proposed managed shelter sites, which will be discussed further at the 7:00 p.m. business meeting. Mr. Hall shared recommendations on moving forward, which are to delay the trespass of the Nickerson encampment, stay focused on current priorities and accelerate the work with other partners on camping options. Councilmembers discussed the issues and asked clarifying questions as well as requested additional Study Sessions to continue the discussion. The study session was completed. 3. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. City of Olympia Page 2