HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-23 Public Comment - D. Collins - Dulaney Collins' Public Comment on Urban Camping OrdinanceFrom:GLAM DN Collins
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Dulaney Collins" Public Comment on Urban Camping Ordinance
Date:Tuesday, September 19, 2023 12:24:46 PM
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Ms. Dulaney Collins
P.O. Box 6344 * Bozeman, MT 59771
dncollins09@gmail.com * (406) 624-7709
Dear Bozeman City Commissioners Andrus, Coburn, Cunningham, Madgic, Pomperoy, CityAttorney Sullivan & City Manager Mihelich,
Today I write to each of you regarding the Urban Camping Ordinance proposal. I urge eachof you to vote NO as it is written. Let's be proactive in seeking resources and solutions toaddress the issue in our Community in a focused and Humane manner.
The Urban Campers are working in Bozeman to earn a living, to feed their families, they arein dire need of our compassion and understanding. Bozeman can no longer afford to denythe issue of homelessness, by giving people a bus ticket out of town, or invoking other shortterm solutions.
Each of us as community members own this problem--- a lack of affordable and safehousing, Mayor, Commissioners, Realtors, Mortgage brokers, Chamber of Commerce,Business people as well as others.
First, we can all agree that rapid development has caused the problem resulting in un-affordable housing, absentee owners of homes that sit empty, short term rentals, etc. OurCommunity Members have been displaced, rendering them homeless. And, without safe,affordable shelter many have resorted to Urban Camping.
Recall, one of the more recent displacements, the trailer court on Aspen Ave., where 20 plusresidents were evicted. Through no fault of their own, they had to seek a place to put theirtrailer home since the land was bought and became a modern building for variousbusinesses. The Trailer residents were required to utilize a token amount of $7,000 perresident to relocate themselves and their Trailer, with little or no options. Their allotted$7,000.00 from the buyout didn't go far in their re-location attempts.
Are each of you aware that many Bozeman Police Officers have had to resort to livingoutside the Bozeman City limits? BPD officers now reside in Three Forks, Manhattan and asfar away as Park and Broadwater counties because they can't afford to live within BozemanCity limits. These officers spend their own gas and time driving long distances to serve thisCommunity.
What does that say about a City who can't provide affordable housing to the very people
required to protect the City?
As winter approaches, realistically urban campers certainly will be unable to move theirCampers every 5 days. Also, they will need to run a generator to stay warm, cook and havetheir lights on, etc. So, here are some possible solutions to consider:
1. Allow urban camping for the next 6-12 months, through the winter while giving the
campers time to seek a viable alternative location.
2. Create a task force during these months, working with Urban Campers, City
departments such as: Legal, Health, Sanitation, Traffic, BPD, etc. to develop viableand humane regulations with a focus on curbing and/or eliminating the need forUrban Camping.
3. Encourage commitments from Urban Campers to work towards and obtain viable
shelter as an alternative to Urban Camping, while connecting Urban Campers with
assistance and resources.
4. Eliminate the requirement to move every 5 days, especially during the winter.
5. Reduce the number of urban campers in one area to a smaller urban camping
community, perhaps 10 campers per 500 feet.
6. Require Urban Campers to meet sanitary conditions, including providing garbage
pick-up by the City.
7. Thankfully, BPD has been proactive in rendering a Community Outreach Officer to
meet with Urban Campers and build a [positive relationship.
8. Actively encourage the Bozeman Community to assist Urban Campers while
compassionately appreciating and admiring their grit and determination to simplysurvive.
9. Enforce the Abandoned Vehicle Parking Ordinance. There are many abandoned
vehicles throughout the city. Shouldn't they be towed, auctioned and fine the owners?
Absorb those dollars into the “affordable housing fund”.
10. Lastly, enforce the required property licensure for vehicles in Montana. If you work
here after 30, 60 or 90 days, you must register your vehicle and pay the assessed fee.The dollars recouped from enforcing that would greatly benefit the City's budget, which could be directed towards the 'affordable housing" fund. Currently, the BPDdoesn't focus on enforcing it, but they could be required to do so.
As a healthy and viable Community we cannot allow for “haves and have nots” to exist. Weare all Bozeman residents.
Thank you for your time in reviewing and considering my ideas and possible solutions.
Dulaney Collins