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Coos Bay council agrees by consensus to delay license decision as Devereaux Center suspends services
Summary
Devereaux Center board announced a two-week suspension of services at the Newmark location and asked the council to delay a business-license revocation decision; the council agreed by consensus to place the item on the Nov. 5 agenda and expects a comprehensive corrective plan.
Amanda McCarthy, a member of the Devereaux Center board, told the Coos Bay City Council that the board has decided to suspend services at its Newmark location for two weeks effective Oct. 23, 2024, so it can review operations, the physical facility and address grievances raised by the city. McCarthy requested that the council extend the city's 30‑day review period and consider the board’s findings at the council’s Nov. 5 meeting.
John Richardson, chairman of the Devereaux Center board and pastor at First Baptist North Bend, described plans to decentralize services while the Newmark site is closed. Richardson said local partners — including ORCA, Gloria Day Lutheran Church and United Methodist — have agreed to help distribute food and provide support; ORCA has identified a potential funding stream for added security at Newmark.
Community member William Crombie urged the council not to close the center, saying shutting it down would leave people “more cold, more hungry, more desperate” and called such an outcome a “local humanitarian disaster.” Crombie said other service providers in the area are already at capacity and could not reliably absorb the Devereaux Center’s clients.
Councilors said they were concerned but willing to give the board time to make substantive changes. Councilor Stevens and others noted that conversations about the center’s operations date back to early 2023 and emphasized the council’s expectation that the Nov. 5 report include a comprehensive list of corrective steps. Mayor Benetti and the presiding officer confirmed by consensus that the Devereaux Center update would be added to the Nov. 5 agenda rather than moving immediately to a formal motion to extend the decision deadline.
The council did not take a formal vote to delay revocation; instead, members said they would review whatever corrective plan the board presents at the Nov. 5 meeting before making a final decision.
