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Lawrence council grants Movement Family a short-term Buckley garage permit after lengthy debate
Summary
After hours of public testimony and council questioning about finances, public safety and regional responsibility, the Lawrence City Council approved a limited permit extension for the Movement Family (TMF) to use the Buckley bus garage for weekly dinners through June 30, 2026.
The Lawrence City Council voted on March 17 to allow the Movement Family (TMF) to continue using the Buckley bus garage for its weekly Wednesday dinners under a time-limited permit that runs through June 30, 2026. The decision followed more than two hours of public comment and a prolonged council exchange about public safety, TMF's finances and the city's role in addressing homelessness.
The council had been asked to renew TMF's permit for two years. Instead, after competing motions and friendly amendments, members settled on a three-month compromise that council leaders said leaves time for the city, TMF and regional partners to seek alternatives. Council President Rodriguez called the measure and the roll call returned a majority in favor.
The meeting drew a long line of speakers who described TMF as a source of food and human connection for people experiencing homelessness. "For many of our brothers and sisters that live in the street, that's the most stable and human moment they have in the whole week," said Francisco Palino during public comment. Several speakers described personal recoveries and said the dinners connect people with services.
TMF founder Michael Gorman told the council the organization has relied on in-kind donations, not grants or paid staff. "One of the reasons why there isn't any money in the TMF account is because we don't ask for donations," he said, adding that if the city helped secure a permanent location TMF would apply for grants and post transparent financial reporting.
City officials and the Lawrence Police Department urged caution about a long-term permit. The police chief said the department needs space at Buckley to store vehicles and stage outreach work and raised concerns about trash, needles and vehicle break-ins at the site. The chief told the council that local homelessness counts and service demand have risen sharply in recent years.
Mayor Brian A. Dea's written statement, read into the record, acknowledged TMF's humanitarian role but said the city cannot remain the "regional default" for homelessness services without coordinated action from neighboring municipalities and state partners. The mayor said he was not inclined to continue use of city facilities for meal distribution long term but offered short-term relief to allow time to secure alternatives.
Councilors pressed TMF on organizational capacity, financial records and plans for an alternative site. Several noted that TMF had only recently incorporated as a nonprofit and has limited cash reserves; TMF representatives said they would pursue grants and partnerships if a permanent site were available.
The three-month permit approved by council includes the understanding that city departments, TMF and regional partners continue coordination to identify and fund an appropriate alternative location. The council reserved the right to revisit or revoke the permit earlier if necessary.
What happens next: the permit runs through June 30, 2026; councilors and city staff said they will continue discussions with TMF, the police department and potential regional partners to seek a longer-term, sustainable solution for the dinner program and related services.
