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Council debates service gaps and 'diversion' transportation as enforcement looms
Summary
Council members warned that enforcement without services may criminalize homelessness and asked staff to explore city-funded diversion transportation and collaboration with Lee County human services.
Council members pressed staff on where people would be taken if cited under a new local ordinance and whether the county's contracted beds were available for people the city might remove from public property.
City Manager Marty Long described Lee County's diversion program and the contracted 24 Salvation Army beds, but cautioned those beds are programmatic and generally require enrollment. Long said county human services "will purchase a bus ticket for them" when documented receiving arrangements exist, but the county program is rigid about verifying a receiving host.
Councilmember Blanc asked whether the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund could be used for bus tickets or a small diversion fund; City Attorney Grama Alley said there was no obvious legal barrier to using such funds for that purpose. Several council members urged the city to have the immediate ability to fund short-term transportation in cases where county criteria were not met.
Councilmembers also emphasized humane treatment. Councilperson Streets said the community should avoid a solely punitive response and instead pursue collaborative solutions with the county and neighboring municipalities.
Staff will evaluate funding options and report back as the ordinance drafting proceeds.
