HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-21 Public Comment - M. Niemeyer - Houselessness in City LimitsFrom:Mike Niemeyer
To:Agenda
Subject:[SENDER UNVERIFIED]Rv and tent problem
Date:Wednesday, September 22, 2021 12:44:30 PM
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City of Bozeman – To Whom it May Concern,
Thank you for listening to my concerns about the tent and RV cities popping up around
town. I am very torn on wanting people to have a place to live that is affordable but amhaving real concerns about the impact to our communities.
I own my home on the north side of town near Chief Joseph Elementary and am also a
small business owner. This summer in particular, my family and I have noticed theproliferation of the impromptu RV and tent cities popping up, particularly in our area. What
I am most concerned about is:
1. How are people dealing with human waste and trash disposal? It appears that a
number of the RVs in-particular have not moved for extended lengths of time and
dumping waste and black tanks into vacant lots or down street drains is likely
occurring. Disposing “household” trash at nearby businesses is only putting the cost
of disposal on business owners. As a home and business owner I am responsible for
paying the costs of trash and sewer disposal and ensuring I am doing so in a way that
is safe to the environment. I believe the pop up RV and Tent dwellings should be held
to this same standard of responsibility.
2. What is city law enforcement/city council doing to address safety and crime
issues? I am concerned about the human safety issues associated with a transient
population that is expanding within and near my neighborhood – especially with the
middle school and the new high school near-by. While I believe not all of those living
in these transient pop up communities have ill intent, statistics show the distinct
relationship between crime and homelessness.
3. How long are people allowed to park on city streets without moving? As someone
whose children all drive and have vehicles we are responsible for moving our vehicles
that are parked on a city street regularly. At a minimum, the RV dwellers should be
held to the same level of accountability.
4. How is the city addressing people who are trespassing onto private property? Is it
considered “squatting”? It appears that some of those living in these pop up
communities are pitching tents, chairs, BBQs…. on the vacant lots near them. I am
not allowed to trespass onto my neighbors property or pitch a tent and “squat” –
again, hold people to the same level of accountability.
5. Is the city considering relocating people to a single location? It would seem the
fairgrounds or another location could be found where people could set up their
RV/tent, where sanitation and trash disposal could be addressed, where they aren’t
trespassing or squatting onto private property, and where safety and crime issues are
better addressed could be found.
Thank you for listening to and considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing morefrom the city on this issue and having continued community dialog.
Mike Niemeyer