Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Encampments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor Thompson: county-run encampment near RCA Park under county jurisdiction, city coordinating services and wary of 48-hour removal clause in state bill
Summary
Mayor Thompson said the encampment adjacent to RCA Park sits on county property, described the city’s coordination with county officials and service providers, and voiced concern about state legislation that would require moving camps within 48 hours, which she said would make dignified relocations impracticable.
A question about a county-run encampment near RCA Park drew a lengthy response from Mayor Thompson, who clarified that the site is on county property and said the city is working to coordinate timing and services with county officials.
Thompson said the city follows recommendations from Heading Home and the South Central Housing Network when relocation is necessary, typically issuing a 30-day notice unless there is an immediate health or safety threat. “We deploy as many services as possible to get people relocated and we keep belongings so we can do this with as much dignity as possible,” she said.
The mayor also flagged recent state legislation under discussion that would require camps to be moved within 48 hours and said that provision would override municipal policies; she told listeners she has been working with legislators to secure improvements to the bill because rapid removal timelines make dignified relocations difficult for larger encampments.
What officials said: Thompson emphasized the need for shared approaches between city and county and said recovery services and diversion programs are important complements to any enforcement action. Questions about specific properties under county consideration for a new jail were answered by the mayor with a personal view that a large mega jail would not serve the community well and that any jail site need not necessarily be downtown.
Next steps: The mayor said discussions with county commissioners are ongoing and that she is monitoring state legislation closely.
