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Public raises heat and safety concerns about Derrick Street relocation site; council asks staff to monitor
Summary
A public commenter reported surface temperatures near 120°F at a paved Derrick Street site where people were being moved; council asked Community Development to monitor conditions and take protective steps; mayor said 60–70 people have been moved into a cleaner site and urged council members to visit.
At the May 8 council meeting, David Snyder, a resident and public commenter, said he measured pavement temperature near Derrick Street and recorded about 120 degrees Fahrenheit and warned that the paved surface could present heat-safety risks for people relocated there.
Snyder urged the city to act, suggesting an inexpensive mitigation such as a heat-reflective coating for the pavement and warning that the issue could produce heat-related illness as temperatures rise. “That’s getting into burning somebody…and we’re not even into summer yet,” Snyder said. He said he believed a 7- to 10-day notice to vacate had been issued previously and urged immediate action.
Councilman Claude Kling asked city staff to monitor the situation and take appropriate measures to protect people, noting the comment had been raised previously and that Community Development staff had responded before.
Mayor Tommy Battle addressed the council later in the meeting, saying the city had moved about “60 people, 70 people” into the new facility and that those who moved in were thankful for “a clean place and a safe place.” The mayor said the city will require residents who move in to dispose of trash properly and maintain sanitary conditions so the site remains “nice, healthy, sanitary.” He invited council members to visit the site.
Outcome: Council asked city staff to monitor pavement temperatures and protections at the relocation site and to take steps appropriate to protect people residing there. The council did not take formal legislative action at the meeting, but members asked Community Development to follow up.
Why this matters: Cities relocating persons living outdoors have responsibilities to ensure sites are safe, sanitary and do not expose people to unnecessary heat and health risks. Council members asked staff to gather measurements and take protective measures as needed.
