City staff says sheriff to clear homeless encampments on 50-acre parcel behind Johnny's

A city staff member told the Planning & Zoning workshop on Oct. 15 that the city has engaged the sheriff's office to trespass occupants at a homeless encampment on a 50-acre parcel behind the business known locally as Johnny's. "We've engaged the sheriff's office," the staff member said, adding that officers were authorized to trespass and that crews planned to remove all structures in the coming days or the next week.

What was said: The staff member reported they had received calls about the encampment, had asked the sheriff's office to act, and expected physical removal of structures shortly. Board members acknowledged the report and several attendees said they had fielded complaints about illegal activity and mess at nearby sites.

What the workshop did: This was an operational update, not a formal agenda action; there was no vote or ordinance related to encampments at the workshop. The staff member framed the removal as an enforcement action carried out in coordination with law enforcement.

Next steps: Staff indicated they would proceed with the enforcement plan and asked members to notify staff about constituent calls. The timing given was "in the next few days" for law-enforcement action and removal operations following that enforcement step.

Context and limitations: The workshop transcript records the city's intended enforcement action but does not provide details about shelter referrals, social-service coordination or longer-term housing options for those displaced; no budgetary figures or contracted service providers were named.