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Council presses for contingency plan after hospital reports people using ER as warming area
Summary
Council members said hospital staff reported people staying in the ER while shelter capacity was unclear; the council requested clearer contact procedures between hospital and county-run shelter and discussed city contingency locations if the shelter fills.
Council members raised concerns after hospital staff reported people using the emergency room as a warming area when a county-run church shelter’s availability was unclear.
Dominic told the council he had been contacted by hospital staff who said several people were using the ER as a warming space and that the shelter coordination had broken down. "I think we need to have a proactive plan, especially during the day," Dominic said, arguing the hospital setting is not suitable for people vulnerable to illness and cold.
Rich and other council members described the shelter system as a county-managed program staffed by Mental Health Association (MHA) and the county Department of Social Services (DSS). Rich said the county-run church shelter is supposed to operate 24/7 at night and the county contributes to daytime staffing; however, hospital staff reported the shelter was not accessible when needed.
Council members recommended two near-term fixes: (1) the hospital should be provided with a direct point of contact at the church shelter so ER staff can confirm bed availability before directing people to the shelter; and (2) the city and county should develop contingency daytime locations (suggested: senior center, library, or firehouse) to use when the church shelter is full.
Council asked staff to coordinate with county DSS and the shelter operator so the hospital has accurate contact information and to consider whether the city should identify daytime locations the shelter operator could open by agreement when the shelter reaches capacity. No formal motions or votes were recorded.
