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Residents urge tiny-home partnerships, call for stronger policing and report difficulty filing city damage claims
Summary
During public comment at the Nov. 3 Auburn City Council meeting, residents suggested exploring tiny-home villages, urged stronger support for police and described trouble navigating the city's claim-for-damages process after a construction-related injury. Speakers included residents Linda Redmond, Gene Bremner and Tina Simmons.
Several residents used the council’s public-comment period on Nov. 3 to press the council on housing, public safety and administrative access.
Linda Redmond of Auburn urged the council to study Tacoma’s tiny-home village model and explore a public-private partnership with the Tacoma Rescue Mission to house veterans. "They have a public private partnership with the Tacoma rescue mission," Redmond said, and she recommended looking at regional partnerships rather than duplicating efforts.
Gene Bremner of Kent spoke about retail theft and personal losses and urged council support for law enforcement and crime-prevention efforts. "I just like you to support the police," Bremner said, describing recent thefts and personal expenses tied to crime.
A resident who identified herself as Tina Simmons told the council she sustained a facial injury on city property near a new apartment project (The Verge) and said she found the city's claim-for-damages forms and privacy/HIPAA requirements difficult to navigate. Simmons said she had met with code compliance staff and had medical records but was unsure how to move forward without involving attorneys.
Longtime speaker Virginia Haugen returned to the podium with broad appeals to community engagement and mentorship for youth, urging council members to "reach out to a young person." The council received a written comment from Doran Sorensen; no council action addressing these public comments was recorded during the meeting.
