Seaside adopts temporary camping policy and hires Community Action to manage new camp

Seaside City Council voted to adopt a temporary camping policy and to authorize a management agreement with Klotzuk Community Action to operate the city's new temporary camping site.

The council adopted Resolution 4073 on a voice vote after a weeknight work session and a public discussion that focused on enforcement, posting of rules, and on-site services. Councilors then adopted Resolution 4076 to approve a contract with Klotzuk Community Action (CCA) to provide daily site administration, participant check-ins, case management and referrals, coordination with police and public works, and on-site office space for staff.

Councilors and staff said the policy aims to make enforcement based on behavior rather than on status alone while preserving tools to exclude individuals for serious violations. The policy reinstates a prohibition on possession of illegal drugs and alcohol at the camp; it also removes the word "however" from the enforcement section to reduce linguistic ambiguity and adds a specific rule prohibiting entry into another person's campsite without permission. City staff said the changes were made after meetings with CCA and community stakeholders and after public comments at prior meetings.

City Manager Spencer said the policy will emphasize progressive discipline'warnings, short suspensions, and escalating penalties'rather than an immediate permanent expulsion for a first infraction. "The purpose is not to kick people out of the camp," Spencer said. "The purpose is to have a healthy, safe environment for everyone, and we're looking for compliance."

Councilors and staff discussed operational details: campers will receive a copy of the rules and be asked to sign to indicate understanding; rules and site-specific notices will be posted in multiple locations on the site; CCA staff will issue permits for authorized partner parking and the city will provide a stack of permits for distribution; staff continue to research lockable, weather‑tolerant personal storage for campers; on-site trailers will house CCA office space; the camp layout uses 15-by-15 sites anchored by concrete blocks and includes water and restrooms (one ADA stall planned). Public Works staff also showed live camera feeds and described site security measures already in place.

CCA's role under the contract includes daily site administration, participant intake and permit issuance, case management, coordination with police and public works for sanitation and enforcement, and documentation of incidents. City staff said that having a dedicated case manager and a CCA office at the site improves the chance that people move into permanent housing.

Councilor McVay moved adoption of Resolution 4073 as amended; Councilor Posalski seconded. The council approved Resolution 4073 by voice vote. Councilor McVay moved adoption of Resolution 4076; Councilor Benacker seconded; the council approved it by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 4073 (Adopt temporary camping policy, amended): Mover: Councilor Posalski; Second: Councilor Hoffman; Outcome: Approved (voice vote). No roll-call breakdown recorded in the transcript.

- Resolution 4076 (Approve agreement with Klotzuk Community Action for camp management): Mover: Councilor McVay; Second: Councilor Benacker; Outcome: Approved (voice vote). No roll-call breakdown recorded in the transcript.

Background and context

City staff said the camp is expected to open once final approvals are complete; in the work session staff stated an anticipated opening around Aug. 5, pending the council's actions. The policy explicitly permits site-specific rules and makes service providers responsible for program elements; it keeps enforcement tools for police and CCA but frames enforcement to prioritize observed behavior and progressive discipline.

The council and staff emphasized the policy is a living document that can be revised as the pilot unfolds. Staff said the resolution is deliberately a policy rather than an ordinance so it can be amended at future meetings without the more extensive noticing required for ordinance changes.

Ending

Councilors said they expect frequent operational adjustments in coming weeks and asked staff and CCA to return with procedural clarifications (signage wording, permit issuance procedure, lockable storage options) as the camp begins operations.