Bay City commission refers $400,000 Good Samaritan drop-in center proposal back to staff after split debate

The Bay City Commission on Dec. 16, 2024 debated a proposal to fund a Good Samaritan drop-in center with $250,000 from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $150,000 from city marijuana-revenue funds before deciding to refer the item back to staff for further work.

Commissioner Hillacre moved to approve the resolution backing the Good Samaritan drop-in center, and Commissioner Lundberg successfully proposed an amendment requiring regular semiannual reporting from the center that would include a financial report, an operational performance review (numbers served, services provided and outcomes), and community feedback. Lundberg's amendment also specified that services be "free from religious discrimination or requirements" and that "participation in religious activities or services shall not be mandatory for individuals to receive assistance or access basic needs at the drop in center." The commission recorded no objection to the amendment.

The proposal drew sharply different views. Commissioner Rivett argued the plan was premature and moved that the commission refer the item back to staff, saying the effort felt "half baked, half hearted." Rivett and several other commissioners and public speakers said they wanted a fuller briefing, more demonstration of communitywide coordination and clarity on whether the proposal would reallocate funds already committed to other priorities.

City staff told the commission that while the city could "write the check tomorrow," the facility would likely not be ready until spring because construction and setup would take time. Commissioners acknowledged that even if funds were approved tonight, the drop-in center would not help people immediately during the current winter season.

In the roll-call vote on the referral, the clerk recorded the following: Commissioner Birnie — Yes; Commissioner Brunner — No; Commissioner Hilliker — No; Commissioner Gerard — Yes; Commissioner Brumberg — No; Commissioner Clements — No; Commissioner Morris — Yes; Commissioner Prince — Yes; Commissioner Rivett — Yes. The clerk announced the motion was referred back to staff (five yes votes in favor of referral).

Supporters on the dais and in the community said the Good Samaritan organization had been engaged in planning and that the proposal represented a piece of a broader strategy to address homelessness. Opponents and some public commenters pressed for greater transparency on how CDBG and marijuana funds have been used in prior years and urged the incoming commission to weigh in. A public commenter representing Wicked Emporium Studios and a grassroots group asked that the commission not rush the measure and requested a public forum and greater inclusion in planning.

The amendment that passed will be available to staff to include in any updated referral materials. City staff indicated the $150,000 in marijuana funds would be proposed from next fiscal year's allocation and the $250,000 in CDBG funds would come from existing CDBG resources as described in the staff recommendation. No final contract, procurement action or immediate shelter opening was authorized at the meeting.

Next steps: the item was referred to staff for further investigation, public input and a more detailed presentation to the commission; staff will be expected to address the amendment's reporting requirements and provide budgetary details and a project timeline when the item returns to the commission.