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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/2016 13 Other Business Distributed at the Meeting /I -I --l(, Tonight I will be proposing a 10 Point Plan to help protect public health and safety, and reduce the harm experienced by unsheltered residents on permissible camping grounds in our City Previous to tonight's meeting, I have spoken with most councilmembers about a thorough plan to help maintain safety and health conditions where or when camping occurs We all know staff and Council have been working diligently to pursue funding sources and partnerships and I am confident we will continue to do so However, we are now facing eviction day for the current camping site without a policy in place that regards permissible camping within city limits am proposing a plan which will re -open permissible camping grounds, while setting standards and procedures for remedying unsafe conditions and protecting the rights and property of homeless individuals Of course, any and all policy in this context must meet both RCW 35 21 915 and RCW 35A.21 360 -- prohibiting the City from imposing conditions other than those necessary to protect public health and safety Please keep in mind this proposal has no fiscal note attached yet, nor is it intended to serve as a permanent solution to homelessness This 10 Point Plan is drafted to meet the City's need for permissible camping in safe and clean environments while simultaneously offering rehabilitation services to all residents and employment enablement opportunities to residents who voluntarily choose to participate This Plan does NOT provide permanent housing Proposal City of Yakima 10 Point Plan for Camp Site(s) within City Limits 1 ) Amend City Ordinance _ to allow permissible camping and Identify permissible camping lot(s) - Sanitary Regulations and Support- 2) Portable bathrooms 3 ) Garbage and Disposal Boxes for needles 4) Shower Access (partnership needed) - Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Needs - 5 ) Animal Assisted Therapy (partnership needed) 6) Family Re- unification utilizing bus vouchers 7 ) Safeguard cubbies for personal property of campers - Employment Enablement Opportunities - 8) PO Box and Key (requires post box installation) 9 ) Assist in acquiring WA state ID card 10 ) Assist in opening banking- checking account The last 3 points, under Employment Enablement Opportunities, would be offered ONLY to homeless individuals able and willing to donate a minimal amount of hours of time to civic service around the city (i e picking up litter and painting over graffiti) Upon completion of the set hours of volunteering, campers in good standing who wish to continue the Employment Enablement Opportunities program would be offered minimum wage for civic service completed Establishing a maximum amount of hours paid for any one individual (who meets preceding guidelines) should be set on a per month or annual basis to offer the opportunity to as many homeless individuals as possible This 10 Point Plan would help homeless individuals in a variety of ways, from improving immediate safety and sanitary concerns of camp sites to also encouraging and setting up infrastructure for rehabilitation into society Other things to keep in mind while considering the feasibility of this plan The City will still work with partners to secure winter shelter for unbearable weather as we currently do Also, it is expected that residents at said permissible camp grounds will be given information for service providers that offer permanent or transitional housing, healthcare, or other needed services Dulce Gutierrez Yakima City Council cell 509 823 7021 email Dulce.Gutierrezavakimawa.gov