Residents protest Sunday feedings at Riverview Park; council directs staff to return with options in July

Melbourne — Residents from the Riverview Park neighborhood pressed the City Council during public comment on June 10 to address a recent increase in homeless encampments, drug use and sanitation problems they say now occur on and around the park following weekly Sunday feedings hosted by a volunteer organization.

Neighbors described multiple incidents including overdoses, tenting near the river, people sleeping on benches and soiling of park areas adjacent to new playgrounds. The speaker who presented a petition said a published event two weeks earlier drew about 80 people and left families reluctant to use the park during Sunday afternoons.

Council response and next steps - Vice Mayor Newman and other council members acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints and said staff would work with police, parks and the city attorney to identify options. - Staff and the mayor said they will bring the issue back to council in July for formal discussion and possible policy or operational changes,…