HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-23 Public Comment - P. Higgins - Ordinance 2147 Provisional Adoption of Regulations for Camping on City Right-of-wayFrom:Phoebe Higgins
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Ordinance 2147 Provisional Adoption of Regulations for Camping on City Right-of-way
Date:Tuesday, September 19, 2023 1:15:27 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Commission members,
I support the HRDC's comments on the public right of way camping
ordinance recommending the ordinance not be passed without further
clarity on how someone can first be in compliance, how to address non-compliance (without a fine), and establishing 'green zones' and waste
services. The way it is currently written, it is unclear where someone
should go after the 5 days - if they are unhoused and don't have an
alternative, making them move is not a solution. Also, without waste andbathroom services, how can anyone comply with the ordinance as written?
I've copied their text here for reference:
1. Preliminary feedback from our outreach teams indicate that the consequences of the ordinance areunclear and campers that we speak with are scared of the uncertainty.
If the ordinance could be constructed in a way that campers who were keeping their areas clean and incompliance were allowed to remain in their space until and unless they fell out of compliance with theordinance, then there would be far less uncertainty for individuals and families camping on publicstreets.
If a camper were to fall out of compliance they would then be given a timeframe to come intocompliance. Failure to comply at that point could result in a fine.
2. If the ordinance could create "green zones" with a corresponding map so it was clear where peopleare allowed to park it would eliminate a lot of the anxiety of finding an appropriate space to leave theirvehicle. Green zones could also be equipped with dumpsters and port-o-potties to maintain hygiene.
3. We understand that vehicle mobility is a concern for the city (and for HRDC) so we propose that thesafety officers include a visual check of the vehicle to determine that the vehicle remains moveable. Thiscould also include having campers start the engine of their vehicle to demonstrate its capacity formoving. This could be coupled with referrals/resources for having the vehicle repaired so it remainsmobile.
4. Further, we strongly feel that this ordinance alone does nothing to remedy the situation. We will askthe City to pair this with investments in pathways to housing and to partner in working alongside ourcommunity members on their path to stable housing. These neighbors power our community and arepart of our fabric.
Thank you for listening,Phoebe Higgins, Bozeman resident
-- Phoebe Higgins+1 (415) 830-1970