Chico council keeps alternate homeless camping site at Eaton/Cohasset, directs staff to strengthen rules and management

The Chico City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to keep the city's alternate camping site at Eaton and Cohasset and ordered staff to return in two weeks with options to strengthen site management, enforcement and limited livability improvements.

The council acted after a lengthy staff presentation and more than an hour of public comment. Eric Gustafson, the city's public works operations and maintenance director, told the council the decision was difficult because "there are really no good options," and that staff's top-ranked choice remained the existing site because it is already set up with fencing, surveillance, water and restroom service.

The council's move responds to a settlement agreement requirement (paragraph 10(m)) that the city offer designated public property where camping may be temporarily available when individuals do not qualify for available shelter. Gustafson told the council the agreement limits how often occupants may be moved and that the city has about 15 months remaining under that settlement.

Residents and business owners from neighborhoods proposed as alternative locations pushed back on several sites staff evaluated,…