Council directs staff to develop options for alternate authorized campsite after ongoing problems at Eaton and Cohasset site

Chico City Council on Sept. 16 directed staff to develop and return with options to address the Eaton and Cohasset alternate site after lengthy public comment and staff updates on recent changes in site management.

Public Works and homeless‑services contractors told council the alternate site — established under a prior settlement agreement when no appropriate shelter spaces were available — had filled rapidly and attracted unauthorized occupants. Staff said the city sought judicial clarification and eventually implemented a code of conduct, fenced access, surveillance cameras, scheduled restroom and trash services, and contracted case management to reduce impacts and transition occupants into shelter when possible.

Director Eric Gustafson said the city currently spends about $130,000 a year on security, water, toilets and fencing for the site and that the city had used a sequence of enforcement operations and resets to remove unauthorized occupants. He reported the authorized population has fallen from roughly 40 to about 17 people authorized to be on the site and described work with Genesis and other partners on case management to move residents into shelter or housing.

Amber Abney‑Bass, describing case management efforts, said the team had increased outreach and engagement: since June, more occupants have signed the site code of conduct and a number have accepted relocation offers to Genesis or other shelter programs. She described two scheduled weekly case‑management visits, coordination with service providers, sanitation improvements and staged departures for individuals ineligible for other shelters.

Public comment included neighbors and business owners who described violence, drug activity, spillover camping outside the fenced area, impacts on adjacent businesses and concerns about the site's proximity to waterways and schools. Service providers and volunteers urged the city to pursue humane, managed campground models, small managed sites and better sanitation and oversight rather than repeated unsanctioned encampments or disruptive sweeps.

Following discussion, the council voted unanimously to direct staff to return with options for alternative locations and configurations (including smaller, distributed managed sites, stronger perimeter controls and partnerships with service providers), to pursue collaborative approaches with partners and to come back with recommended steps. Staff said it will report on feasible locations, costs and operational models for council consideration.