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