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Public commenters press council on pool safety, homeless services and support for recreation bond
Summary
At the public-comment period the council heard calls for security cameras at pool and park sites after a reported suspicious-person incident, praise for the ADP shelter transition, and organized support from MacPac and pickleball advocates for new recreation facilities.
During the public-comment segment of the meeting, residents and community organizers raised several distinct items that the council asked staff to follow up on.
Safety at parks and pools: Several residents requested security cameras at the aquatic center and nearby park areas after a parent described an incident in which a man loitered near a child at closing time. The speaker said the library has cameras but the pool did not; she asked that the city's Parks & Recreation and police staff evaluate camera placement and deterrence options. The mayor asked staff to respond: Director Berg was asked to work with Director Muir to follow up and report back to the council.
Homeless services and coordination: An ADP-shelter volunteer thanked the city, county and nonprofit partners for opening the shelter on Adams Street and urged continued coalition-building. A speaker who works with indigent populations called for regional advocacy to expand mental-health capacity in Oregon so local jails are not used as de facto psychiatric institutions.
Support for recreation investment and local advocacy: A number of speakers voiced support for the proposed recreation package and the bond process, describing cross-generational demand (pickleball and other programs) and the MacPac volunteer group's long-term work on a proposed package. Lisa Macey Baker and Kevin Chambers (from the MacPac support group) said the volunteer organization is organizing outreach and plans to run a campaign if the council directs staff to pursue a ballot measure. Other public speakers urged more private-sector involvement to expand indoor recreation options.
The council asked Parks & Recreation staff to follow up on the safety-camera request and requested more information on shelter coordination and mental-health system advocacy; no formal council action was taken during public comment.
