HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-23 Public Comment - S. Schneider - Ordinance 2147 - Proposal Too HarshFrom:Stephanie Schneider
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Ordinance 2147 - Proposal Too Harsh
Date:Tuesday, September 19, 2023 5:01:27 PM
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To Whom It May Concern,
I am a resident of 691 Emily Dr Apt C in Mountain View Apartments in Bozeman.Ordinance 2147 caught my attention because some of the pictures used in newsarticles have come from a camper that had been parked right outside my patio dooron Annie Street for several weeks. I was curious about these new neighbors, but Ihave yet to have a single negative experience relating to the individuals whoresided in that camper.
After exploring the issue and considering my prior experience working with peopleexperiencing homelessness here, I find Ordinance 2147 as currently written to betoo harsh and too expensive. Having to move every 5 days is extremely disruptive toa population already under immense stress, and a $100 fine for noncomplianceseems absurd for a population for whom many cannot afford to cover their basicneeds. I would perhaps a proposal that increases the number of days a person couldstay or that enforces a fine only when a vehicle/unit is found to be disruptive inother ways (vehicle in disrepair, leaving a host of belongings on the sidewalk,otherwise acting in disrespectful ways like any other resident), but I stand stronglyagainst the current language in Ordinance 2147.
Finally, a fiscal impact of $353,000 is FAR too much money to allot for two positionsand other work that essentially criminalize homelessness. That money could bebetter spent on solving the root of the problem.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully yours, Stephanie Schneider
-- Steph Schneider
Bozeman, MT 59718