Councilmembers ask staff to check trail encampment and discuss Monroe Reef Park support

Committee members raised two neighborhood park and public‑safety concerns during other business and asked staff for follow‑up.

One councilmember asked staff to investigate what they described as a growing homeless encampment near the entrance to the BPA Trail and an apparent unauthorized refuge on a parcel behind the Dollar Tree on 18th Avenue South. The member said they would follow up with an email to staff and asked whether police could check the locations; staff responded that they would do so.

Councilmember Susan Honda asked about a potential emergency funding need of roughly $50,000 for Monroe Reef Park. Staff said they were not certain of the status and that the mayor’s office may be working on it; a formal request had not been confirmed to the committee during the meeting. Honda said she believed a grant application was in process but that an interim payment might be needed until grant funds arrived.

On Monroe Reef Park usage, staff said they did not have an exact visitor count but that anecdotal observation suggested the site is well used and the parking lot often appears full on weekends. Staff noted the garden‑style features are labor‑intensive to maintain and said they are exploring memoranda of understanding with garden clubs and other community organizations to provide volunteer support. Park hours are the city standard (dawn to dusk) and gates are opened by a private security company, usually by about 7:30 a.m., staff said.

No formal emergency appropriation or motion was made during the meeting. Committee members asked staff to follow up by email and to coordinate volunteers and funding options as needed.