Marquette commission directs staff to contract Presque Isle Pavilion for short-term overflow shelter

The Marquette City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to direct city staff to proceed with a contract allowing Room at the Inn to use the Presque Isle Pavilion as a short-term overflow shelter. Commissioner Hanley moved the directive and Commissioner Gottlieb seconded; commissioners recorded the motion as passing 6-0.

Commissioners said the contract must include clear start and end dates, a maximum occupancy limit (they discussed a cap of 10 people on-site at any time), explicit no-loitering rules, requirements for nightly police walkthroughs and insurance or indemnification language to minimize city liability. Commissioner Larson said she preferred the arrangement be treated as a one-time, emergency measure with a fixed duration rather than a recurring annual program.

City staff told the commission they would coordinate with Room at the Inn while drafting contract language and would schedule any necessary special meeting consistent with open-meetings law to finalize terms. Staff noted timing constraints because of the upcoming holiday.

Room at the Inn staff and volunteers addressed the commission during public comment after the vote. Chelsea Wilkinson, representing Room at the Inn, thanked commissioners and said the organization would work with the city to address concerns and refine operational details. Will Sullivan, chair of the Room at the Inn board, said the decision “is probably going to save lives” given the approaching winter and described the shelter population as diverse — including elderly people, families and people struggling with addiction.

Several commissioners expressed reluctance tied to liability and public-safety concerns but said the acute weather and housing needs made action necessary. Commissioners asked that the shelter operator provide awake staff on site overnight and that the contract include provisions allowing the city to end the arrangement on a specified date.

Next steps: staff will draft contract language incorporating the commission’s conditions, coordinate with Room at the Inn during that process and return to the commission (via a special meeting if required) for final review and formal approval of the contract.

Note on names in transcript: the transcript uses both the spellings “Hanley” and “Hamley” in places when referring to the same commissioner; this report uses the spelling "Hanley" consistent with earlier roll-call entries.