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Public comment splits on RISE lease, parents and neighbors seek more transparency on shelters
Summary
Public commenters were divided over a city lease allowing RISE (a nonprofit serving people with disabilities) to use city property; some residents urged support for RISE while parents near a Catholic school worried about proximity of low-barrier shelter services and asked for guarantees and more transparency.
Several residents spoke in favor of the city's lease with RISE for municipal property on Williams Street, saying the nonprofit provides valuable services for people with disabilities and should have long-term stability. "I think this is a right location for them to be doing business," Gordon Boyd said during public comment, urging the council to consider a longer lease term so RISE can expand services.
Other members of the public and parents said they sympathize with RISE's mission but criticized the way decisions were made. A parent-questioner asked whether anyone could "guarantee" that sex offenders or drug activity would not occur near a shelter located next to a school; RISE representatives present were unable to offer categorical guarantees during the exchange, and parents asked for fuller disclosure and engagement before siting decisions proceed.
Speakers for RISE and supporters asked the council to balance compassion and neighbor concerns, pointing to volunteer and internship opportunities and urging residents not to stigmatize the nonprofit's clients. Councilors said they heard both sympathy for RISE's mission and real neighborhood-quality concerns and committed to further outreach and credible operational plans before any permanent siting decisions.
