Several residents spoke during public comment at the Kaysville City Council meeting on Dec. 5 to express support for establishing or hosting Code Blue warming centers to help people who are unhoused or facing extreme cold.

Summer Smith, who volunteers with an outreach coalition, said the centers provide an 'invaluable service' and urged those opposed to volunteer and see clients in person. Madison Kelly and other community members said that many people are closer to homelessness than the public assumes and called for compassion and safe shelter options for veterans, LGBTQ residents and others without family or church support.

Amanda and Levi Neely, both former foster parents, described how a high proportion of people who become unhoused aged out of foster care and lack stable support. They urged the council to consider resources and safe places for those most vulnerable.

Speakers asked the council to treat people experiencing homelessness as neighbors deserving care rather than as problems. Council did not take official action on the warming-center issue during the Dec. 5 meeting; comments were received during the public-comment period.

Council members acknowledged the comments and thanked the speakers. No formal motion or referral was made on the warming-center topic at this meeting; council members noted the topic had been discussed in other jurisdictions and encouraged continued community engagement.