Residents and business owners press Salinas council for shelters, creek cleanup after encampment and sanitation complaints
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Summary
During public comment the Salinas City Council heard multiple pleas for shelter capacity, cleanup of Gavilan Creek and additional sanitation services. Speakers described hazardous conditions in creeks and downtown, called for a shelter, and asked the council to coordinate with county and service providers.
Multiple residents and downtown property owners used the Oct. 28 public‑comment period to urge immediate action on homelessness, sanitation along Gavilan Creek, and services for people living outdoors.
Speakers described human waste and debris in Gavilan Creek, said encampments are creating public‑health hazards near neighborhoods and library entrances, and urged the city to seek shelter options and wraparound services. Frank Saunders, a downtown property owner, said shelter capacity is the essential first step: “You can’t tell these people to get out of the public areas if there’s no shelter for them to go to,” he said, and suggested temporary tenting models and use of available acreage near existing county facilities.
Advocates calling for services included Wes Wise, co‑president of the Monterey County Homeless Union, who recommended porta‑potties, hand‑washing stations, showers, laundry and trash services that were available during shelter‑in‑place periods. Several commenters said they have witnessed encampments on or near the railroad right‑of‑way and cited a recent fatality on the tracks, arguing that sanitation and safety need to be paired with housing options.
Residents also pressed the city for more active code enforcement and coordination among city, county and nonprofit providers. One caller urged the city to provide clearer, itemized agenda information for consent items so the public can comment knowledgeably.
Council members acknowledged the urgency and complexity of the problem, noting multiple jurisdictions’ roles (city, county, Union Pacific and public‑health agencies), and said follow‑up conversations are needed. Councilmember Barrera and others signaled the housing summit and upcoming stakeholder meetings as venues to move toward solutions; Councilmember Aurelio asked the city manager to produce a study of the cost to clean and protect the local watershed and to meet with stakeholders including homeless advocates, county and state agencies.
