.
>>> WELL, THANK YOU, AND
COMMITTEE, STAFF, ARE YOU
GUYS READY TO GO THERE, TOO?
>> READY TO GO.
>> OKAY.
GREAT.
ALL RIGHT.
WELL, THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR
TUNING IN TODAY TO THE SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE
ON HOMELESSNESS STRATEGIES AND
INVESTMENTS.
IT IS MAY 27 AT 2:01 P.M.
WE ARE MEETING REMOTELY HERE ON
ZOOM.
FOLKS CAN CALL IN TO (206)664-
8566 TO ACCESS THE LISTEN LINE
OR ACCESS THIS LIVE ON THE
SEATTLE CHANNEL.
I WILL NOW CALL THIS MEETING TO
ORDER.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE.
ROLL-DEBORA JUAREZ COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> TAMMY J. MORALES COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> HERE.
>> TERESA MOSQUEDA COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> HERE.
>> ALEX PEDERSEN COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> HERE.
>> KSHAMA SAWANT COUNCIL
MEMBER.
>> HERE.
>> DAN STRAUSS COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ.
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD?
>> CHAIR LEWIS?
>> PRESENT.
>> THERE ARE SEVEN COUNCIL
MEMBERS PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
BEING A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
FIVE MEMBERS QUORUM, WE HAVE A
QUORUM.
I WILL ANNOUNCE THE PRESENCE OF
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD AND
JAUREZ IF THEY COME IN LATER IN
THE MEETING.
WE HAVE THE AGENDA.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, IT
WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED.
PROCEEDING TO LINING UP WHAT WE
ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, I
WANT TO THANK ALL MY COLLEAGUES
AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND
THE EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE NUMBER
OF PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT, ABOUT 111
MEMBERS.
RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING IS
TO DISCUSS THE CITY'S EFFORTS
TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC HEARING ON
A BILL BROUGHT FORWARD BY THREE
OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS MORALES, THE
PRIME SONSOR, COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA AND COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT.
WE DO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR
THIS MEETING.
I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT
THE PUBLIC COMMENT IS SUBJECT
TO SPECIAL RULES BY THE
COUNCIL.
IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE
COMPLETE WORKED OUT AS PEOPLE
WATCHING THE MEETINGS THE LAST
COUPLE OF WEEKS KNOW.
I ASK EVERYONE'S INDULGENCE IN
MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ALL
WORKING TOGETHER HERE AS WE
LEARN TO OPERATE THIS NEW
SYSTEM IN REALTIME.
IT REMAINS OUR STRONG INTENT TO
HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT REGULARLY
INCLUDED ON MEETING AGENDAS.
THE CITY COUNCIL DOES RESERVE
THE RIGHT TO END OR ELIMINATE
THESE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS AT
ANY POINT IF WE DEEM THE SYSTEM
IS ABUSED OR UNSUITABLE FOR
ALLOWING THE MEETINGS TO BE
CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY IN A
MANNER IN WHICH WE ARE ABLE TO
CONDUCT NECESSARY BUSINESS.
SO, WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, WE
HAVE AS I SAID A CONSIDERABLE
NUMBER OF FOLKS SIGNED UP FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT AND THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD BECAUSE OF THE
LARGE NUMBER OF FOLKS, I AM
GOING TO LIMIT IT TO ONE MINUTE
PER SPEAKER.
WE DO HAVE SOME FOLKS ON THE
LINE WHO ARE GOING TO BE TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF TRANSLATION
SERVICES.
I WILL ALLOW UP TO THREE
MINUTES FOR THAT EXCHANGE,
WHICH WILL REQUIRE SOME
CONFERRING AND THE RELAYING OF
THE TRANSLATION, SO I WANT TO
MAKE SURE WE ARE MAKING
ADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION SO ALL
THE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY
CALMING IN CAN MAY THEIR VIEWS
PLAIN ON OUR AGENDA TODAY.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR
THIS MEETING, I AM UP TO 20
MINUTES.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE
INDULGENCE AHEAD OF TIME OF MY
COLLEAGUES TO GO AHEAD AND
EXTEND THAT AT THE FRONT GIVEN
THAT WE HAVE 111 SPEAKERS.
I DO WANT TO GIVE EVERYBODY THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR AT
LEAST A MINUTE WITH THE FULL
UNDERSTAND THAT SOME FOLKS
MIGHT NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH
WITH IT OR SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE
SIGNED UP BUT AREN'T PRESENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE SET
INITIALLY 60 MINUTES, THEN
REAS IS REASSESS IF WE GET TO
THE CONCLUSION OF THAT AND SEE
IF ANYONE HAS AN OBJECTION, IF
WE CAN MAKE THAT KNOWN NOW OR
PROCEED UNDER THAT ASSUMPTION.
OKAY, I DON'T HEAR ANY
OBJECTION TO THAT.
SO, FOR THE COMMITTEE STAFF,
WE WILL DO 60 MINUTE, EACH
SPEAKER GIVEN ONE MINUTE EXCEPT
IN THE CASE OF TRANSLATION IN
WHICH CASE I WILL PROVIDE THREE
MINUTES TO MAKE SURE WE CAN
ACCOMMODATE THAT.
I WILL CALL ON EACH SPEAKER BY
NAME AND IN THE ORDER IN WHICH
THEY REMSTER ON THE COUNCIL'S
WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED
TO SPEAK BUT WOULD LIKE TO,
YOU CAN SIGN UP BY GOING TO THE
COUNCIL'S WEBSITE.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS ALSO
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL THE SPEAKER'S NAME.
STAFF WILL MUTE THE APPROPRIATE
MIC AND AN AUTOMATIC PROMPT YOU
HAVE BEEN UNMUTED WILL BE THE
SPEAKER'S CUE THAT THAT IS
THEIR TURN TO SPEAK.
PLEASE ADDRESS THE NUMBER AND
ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
ONCE YOU HEAR THE CHIME WRAP UP
YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
IF SPEAKERS DO NOT END THEIR
COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE A
LOTTED TIME PROVIDED THE
SPEAKER'S MIC WILL BE MUTED
AFTER TEN SECONDS TO ALLOW US
TO CALL ON THE NEXT SPEAKER.
ONCE YOU COMPLETE PUBLIC
COMMENT WE ASK YOU TO
DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE, VIA
THE SEATTLE CHANNEL AND
LISTING OPTIONS LISTED ON THE
AGENDA.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH
THE FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
I AM SORRY, I NEED TO X OUT OF
THIS SO I CAN SEE THE LIST.
OUR FIRST PUBLIC SPEAKER,
PUBLIC COMMENTER WILL BE ANGIE
GERALD.
IT LOOKS LIKE ANGIE GERALD IS
NOT PRESENT.
SO ONCE MISS GERALD IS PRESENT
WE WILL GO BACK TO HER.
I WILL MOVE AHEAD TO THE SECOND
SPEAKER, TIFFANY McCOY.
TIFFANY McCOY, YOU HAVE ONE
MINUTE.
>> THIS IS TIFFANY McCOY, THE
ORGANIZER WITH REAL CHANGE.
WE SUPPORT COUNCIL BILL 119796
FULLY.
I FIRST WANTED TO SAY THAT IT
IS SHAMEFUL OF TIM BURGESS AND
OTHERS TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC ON
WHAT THIS ORDINANCE ACTUALLY
DOES.
THE IDEA THAT THIS ORDINANCE
WOULD ALLOW ENCAMPMENTS TO POP
UP ANYWHERE, AS WELL AS
ARGUING THERE IS INHERENT
CRIMINALITY IN ALL ENCAMPMENTS
IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND
PERPETUATES FALSEHOODS ABOUT
OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.
WE NEED THIS ORDINANCE TO
QUALIFY HOUSE KLEINS DURING
COVID.
PUBLIC HEALTH MUST BE THE
GUIDING PRINCIPLE.
WE ALSO NEED TO QUICKLY WRAP UP
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES AND
SANCTIONS ENCAMPMENTS THAT YOU
ALL AGREE TO IN THE FALL.
PLEASE GET THIS DONE.
>> THANK YOU, TIFFANY FOR YOUR
COMMENT.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MATTHEW
LANG.
>> WHEN PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN TO
SHELTER IN PLACE IN CERTAIN
AREAS WE NEED TO PROVIDE
OUTREACH TO THEM, NOT
SCATTERED THEM TO THE WIND.
SO, I AMNER HERE ADVOCATING
FOR PEOPLE TO BE LIVING
OUTSIDE, BUT UNTIL WE HAVE
OPTIONS FOR PEE TO GO INTO THAT
ARE SUITABLE, THEN WE CANNOT
CONTINUE CAMP EVICTIOS,
ESPECIALLY UNDER THE DIFFERENT
PANDEMIC.
WE MUST OPEN UP TO ACCESS.
>> THANK YOU, MATTHEW.
I HAVE BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN
JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
JUAREZ.
ARE YOU IN THE MEETING?
SO, MR. CLERK, I THINK THE
NUMBER ENDING IN 9083 IS
COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ.
>> YES, I AM IN.
THANK YOU.
>> I BELIEVE WE ALSO HAVE BEEN
JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD?
>> CORRECT.
>> OUR NEXT PUBLIC COMMENTER IS
DON BLAKELY.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> MY NAME IS DON BLAKELY WITH
THE DOWNTOWN CITY COUNCIL OF
SEATTLE.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD
GREATLY AMOUNT THE LIMIT OF THE
ABILITY OF THE CITY TO ENGAGE
OR WORK WITH ENCAMPMENTS EVEN
IF IT POSES PUBLIC HEALTH
ISSUES IN THE DOWNTOWN SQUARE
IN SEATTLE.
WE RECENTLY RECEIVED SEVERAL
ENCAMPMENTS IN THE SAFETY AND
THRESHOLD FOR OUR COMMUNITY,
ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
CURRENTLY ENCAMPMENTS CAN ONLY
BE REMOVED IN THE MOST EXTREME
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH
CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE
INDIVIDUALS OFFERING SHELTER.
WE ARE ASKING THAT THE COUNCIL
KEEP THE PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY.
>> OUR NEXT COMMENTER IS JOHN
STOBVAL.
>> I AM HERE WITH THE
WASHINGTON LOW INCOME HOUSING
ALLIANCE SUPPORTING BILL 9796.
LAST THURSDAY I WITNESSED THE
SWEEP ON WELLER STREET.
I WANT TO SHARE A FEW TAKE
AWAYS.
I SPOKE WITH THREE PEOPLE WHO
HAD JUST HAD THEIR TENTS
CRUSHED AND DUMP TRUCKED.
ALL THREE HAD SET UP CAMP
OUTSIDE THE NAVIGATION CENTER
HOPING TO GET A BED THERE, BUT
BECAUSE NOBODY IS LEAVING RIGHT
NOW THERE HAVE BEEN ESSENTIALLY
NO OPENINGS IN WEEKS.
WASHINGTON STATE-WIDE HAS SEEN
DECREASE IN SHELTER CAPACITY BY
ROUGHLY 30% SINCE COVID-19
STARTED.
SO WE HAVE QUITE TANGIBLY LOST
GROUND IN THE HOMELESSNESS
RESPONSE IN THE LAST TWO
MONTHS.
ALL THREE OF THE INDIVIDUALS I
SPOKE WITH THE NOWHERE TO GO.
NONE WERE OFFERED HOUSING OR A
SHELTER BED.
THE CDC GUIDELINES CLEARLY
STATE THAT CLEARING
ENCAMPMENTS CREATES THE
POTENTIAL FOR INFECTIOUS
DISEASE SEPARATE.
WE MUST END VIOLENT SWEEPS AND
INSTEAD PUT OUR RESOURCES TO
GOOD USE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CALVIN
JONES.
>> HI, MY NAME IS CALVIN
JONES.
I AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT 3 AND
ORGANIZER WITH HOUSING.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT COUNCIL
MEMBER MORALES' BILL TO END
ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS.
I THINK THEY ARE UNETHICAL
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE AND
ESPECIALLY BAD DURING A
PANDEMIC.
TO USE PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THE
SWEEP IS WRONG.
RAISE TAXES TO FUND ENOUGH
HOUSING FOR EVERYONE THAT NEEDS
IT BECAUSE HOUSING IS A HUMAN
RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS MAYA GARRFINKLE
>> HI, I AM AN ORGANIZER WITH
BE SEATTLE.
THE AVERAGE RENT FOR AN
APARTMENT IN SEATTLE IS OVER
$2,000 AND OVER 11,000 PEOPLE
IN GREATER SEATTLE ARE WITHOUT
SECURE HOUSING.
THE MAYOR STATED THAT ON
SANCTION ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS
WOULD STOP EXCEPT FOR EXTREME
CIRCUMSTANCES DURING THE
PANDEMIC. IT THREATENS TO
INCREASE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
AND LIMIT CONNECTIONS WITH
DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THE SWEEPS PLACE FURTHER
HARDSHIP ON OUR NEIGHBORS THAT
ALREADY FACING HOUSING, HEALTH
AND FINANCIAL INSECURITY.
COVID-19 CASES AMONG PEOPLE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAVE
CONTINUED TO RISE IN KING
COUNTY AND WILL ONLY WORSEN BY
CONTINUING ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS.
PLEASE PASS
DO NOT FURTHER LIMIT THE WORK.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
NEXT, ERIN GOODMAN.
>> HELLO, THANK YOU.
I AM ERIN GOODMAN, THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOTO
BUSINESS DISTRICT IN OUR AREA.
TODAY WE FACE EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCE AND THE NEED FOR
THE GOVERNMENT TO FULFILL ITS
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES IS EVEN
MORE CRITICAL.
UNSAFE AND UNHEALTHY
ENCAMPMENTS CANNOT BAILOUT TO
SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE BUSINESS
DISTRICTS.
THE CITY MUST USE ITS RESOURCES
TO ADDRESS ITS ISSUE IN A
HUMANE WAY THAT GETS
INDIVIDUALS INTO SHELTER AND
THE HELP THEY NEED.
THE NAVIGATION TEAM HAS ACTED
WITH COME PASSION DURING THIS
EMERGENCY PROVIDING SUPPLIES
AND RESOURCES TO THOSE LIVING
OUTSIDE AND IF ONLY REMOVED
ENCAMPMENTS IN THE MOST EXTREME
PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
CIRCUMSTANCES WITH INDIVIDUALS
BEING OFFERED SHELTER.
THAT IS THE RIGHT POLICY.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES ARE
STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW UNDER THE
WEIGHT OF CLOSURES AND FOR THEM
TO HAVE ANY HELP THEY NEED TO
KNOW THAT CUSTOMERS WILL COME
BACK.
WE URGE YOU AS COUNCIL MEMBERS
TO COME TO THE TABLE WITH
SOLUTIONS, NOT BARRIERS AND
WORK WITH US TO PLAN FOR AND
ASSIST OUR COMMUNITIES AS WE
ENTER INTO ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP, DANIEL SJALBO.
>> I AM A SOFTWARE ENGINEER AND
VOLUNTEER WITH HOMELESS
COMMUNITY SEATTLE, SO I HELP
OUT BRINGING SUPPLIES TO PEOPLE
IN ENCAMPMENTS IN QUARANTINE.
I WANT TO SAY, MAYOR DURKIN
HERE IS BEING IRRESPONSIBLE
WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC
SAFETY.
WITHOUT A PLACE WITH FOUR WALLS
AND A ROOF TO SEND SOMEBODY,
IF WE ARE SENDING PEOPLE TO
CROWDED SHELTERS AND TO JAILS,
OR JUST OUT WALKING AROUND,
WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING
EVERYBODY AT RISK.
THIS IS A TIME THAT IS GOING TO
BE INCONVENIENT, IT IS A TIME
THAT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT,
BUT WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER
AND MAKE SURE WE TAKE CARE OF
OUR MOST VULNERABLE.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT PARALLES
NOW BETWEEN WHAT IS GOING ON
HERE AND IN MINNEAPOLIS WHEN
PEOPLE ARE WE HUMANIZED AND
DETERIORATING A CINDER BOX WE
NEED TO ADDRESS AND ADDRESS
WITH COMPASSION TAKING CARE OF
PEOPLE STRUGGLING.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
NEXT UP WE HAVE OLIVIA SMITH.
>> I AM OLIVIA SMITH.
I AM IN SUPPORT OF CB 119796.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY I AM
ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED WITH THE
SWEEPS GOING ON DURING THE
CORONAVIRUS AND THERE IS NO
SAFE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO.
I AM DISGUSTED WHY THE POLITICS
AND FLIP-FLOPPING OF ELECTED
OFFICIALS FOR YEAR.
IT IS 2020.
WE ARE INTEREST IN A GLOBAL
PANDEMIC, THOUSANDS HAVE DIED
AND LOST THEIR JOBS AND THE
WORLD'S RICHEST PEOPLE ARE IN
THIS AREA MAKING PROFIT ON
PEOPLE STRUGGLING.
WHY DON'T WE DO EVERYTHING
POSSIBLE TO REDISTRIBUTE
RESOURCES AND MAKE IT EVEN A
LITTLE EASIER FOR POOR PEOPLE
TO LIVE.
IT IS THAT SIMPLE.
TAX THE RICH.
>> THANK YOU, OLIVIA.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JOE
COUNSELOR.
>> WOW.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON
TODAY.
I WANT TO VERY BRIEFLY ASK THAT
AMENDMENT RESOLUTION PASSED --
DOING A GREAT JOB -- BUT REALLY
WE NEED TO STOP TALKING ABOUT
THE SWEEPS AND START TALKING
ABOUT THE HELP OF THE
HOMELESS.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT PLANS AND IT
IS STARTING PLACE.
WE NEED TO IN THIS ECONOMIC
CRISIS PRIORITIZE HELP FOR THE
HOMELESS NOW AND USE PUBLIC
WORKS JOBS TO HOUSE THE
HOMELESS AND MAKE THIS A REAL
PRIORITY AND ALSO FINALLY I
REALLY THINK WE NEED TO PUT A
BIG FAT BILLBOARD OF HEIDI
WELLS SAYING MISS ME YET
BECAUSE SHE HAS ALREADY SOLVED
THIS HOMELESS PROBLEM.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU, JOE.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KATE RUBIN
>> HI, I AM KATE RUBIN, THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECT OF BE SEATTLE.
I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES' BILL CB
119796.
ONE OF SEATTLE'S PRIMARY
COMMITMENTS IS TO PROVIDE
OUTREACH TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
I WAS IN THE INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT LAST WEEK.
BOTH THE ENCAMPMENTS WERE IN
RELATIVELY ISOLATED PORTIONS OF
THE AREA WHERE THERE IS NOT
MUCH FOOT TRAFFIC.
PEOPLE I SPOKE TO BEING FORCED
OUT WERE OFFERED INDIVIDUAL
HOUSING AND RECOMMENDED BY THE
CDC.
YESTERDAY I VISITED A LARGE
ENCAMPMENT IN FOREST HILL AND
FOUND MANY FOLKS THERE HAD
ENDED UP THERE.
OUR HOUSE COMMUNITY MEMBER WERE
SERVED WITH OUTBREAKS OF
HEPATITIS A BEFORE THE COVID
HIT AND THE NUMBER OF CASES HAS
CONTINUED TO RISE IN KING
COUNTY.
THEY ARE UNETHICAL, EXPENSIVE
AND SANITATION AND SERVICES AND
HAND WASHING STATIONS WOULD BE
A MORE COMPASSIONATE AND SAFER
ALTERNATIVE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HANNAH
LAKE.
>> HI, THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS HANNAH LAKE A NURSE
FOR ENCAMPMENTS.
SWEEPING THE HOMELESS IS NOT
THE ANSWER, ESPECIALLY DURING
THE COVID CRISIS.
THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SHELTER
BAGS OR HOUSING FOR ALL THE
HOMELESS IN SEATTLE.
MANY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THE
CHOICE OF STAYING IN A SHELTER
WHERE IT IS EASIER TO CATCH AND
SPREAD THE VIOLENCE OR
REMAINING ISOLATED.
I LIVE IN TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
WHERE MOST PEOPLE LIVING IN THE
VILLAGE WERE TESTED FOR COVID
AND WERE NOT INFECTED.
WE HAVE ACCESS TO CLEANING
SUPPLIES, SHOWERS AND OUR OWN
PLACES TO LIVE, HOWEVER WE ARE
BEING FORCED TO MOVE AND WE
BELIEVE IT IS UNSAFE TO DO SO.
I WORRY FOR ALL OF US,
ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY THAT
WOULD BE DISPLACED IF WE CAN'T
FIND SOMEPLACE TO MOVE.
I FEEL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT
DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LAY THEIR
HEAD AT NIGHT AND ALSO WORRYING
ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY
DURING THE PANDEMIC.
PLEASE STOP THE SWEEPS
ENTIRELY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
COLLEEN ROSA IS THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME
TO SPEAK IN REGARD TO ORDINANCE
CB 119796.
I WORK IN PIONEER SQUARE.
THE HISTORY AND DUTY OF SEATTLE
IS EVIDENCE IN PIONEER SQUARE.
BUILDINGS HAVE CHARACTER,
STREETS ARE LINED WITH
BEAUTIFUL HANGING FLOWER
BASKETS, YET THERE IS ANOTHER
SIDE OF THE CITY NOT SO
BEAUTIFUL.
WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK
NEEDLES AND HUMAN WASTE ARE
COMMONPLACE.
MANY CO-WORKERS HAVE BEEN
CHASED, YELLED AT.
IT IS NOT HARD TO FIND SOMEONE
OPENLY DOING DRUGS OR STANDING
NAKED ON THE CORNER SHOUTING
OBSCENITIES.
I SUPPORT SOLUTIONS FOR THE
HOMELESS BUT THIS IS NOT A
SOLUTION.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON CB
119796.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS AHMED --
>> HI, MY NAME IS -- I AM A
SEATTLE RESIDENT OVER 12 YEARS.
I AM HERE TODAY AS A PUBLIC
HEALTH WORKER.
I AM HERE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT
FOR COUNCIL BILL CB 119796.
AS PART OF LETTER SHARED WITH
PUBLIC HEALTH DOES NOT SUPPORT
IT AT ALL LET ALONE DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
THE CDC GUIDELINES OFFICIALLY
OUTLINE WHAT LOCAL OFFICIALS
MUST DO FOR PEOPLE WITH THE
SPREAD OF COVID-19 LIVING
OUTSIDE AND BROADER COMMUNITY.
ALLOW HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS TO
REMAIN IN PLACE AND SUPPORT
PREVENTION MEASURES NEEDED.
THAT IS PROVIDING REPRESENTS
WITH INDIVIDUAL HOUSING UNITS
THE ULTIMATE GOAL.
WE URGE YOU TO SET THE EXAMPLE
NATIONALLY TO BRING PUBLIC
HEALTH INTO THE POLICY BY
SUPPORTING THE BILL.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SAMAY
ING.
>> I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHINA
TOWN COMMUNITY AND I AM IN
OPPOSITION TO CB119796.
WE HAVE HEARD COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES SAY THAT CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT DOES NOT
SUPPORT ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL.
IN JUST OVER A WEEK 6,700-PLUS
PEOPLE SIGNED AN ONLINE CHANGE
OR POSITION OPPOSING CB 119796.
THESE INCLUDE RENTS FROM 14
SENIOR HOUSING BUILDINGS AND
OVER 30 BUSINESSES.
COUNCIL MEMBERS RECEIVED THE
PETITION RESULTS YESTERDAY IN
THE MAIL.
THE UMBRELLA ASSOCIATION FOR 21
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
THE MESSAGE HERE IS LOUD AND
CLEAR.
TID IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PLEASE VOTE NOW
ON CB 119796.
>> IS NEXT SPEAKER IS TODD
ROSEN.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, FIRST I
WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL
MEMBERS ENGAGED WITH THE
COALITION.
IT IS THE RIGHT IDEA AT THE
RIGHT TIME.
MY COMMENT IS ABOUT CB 119796.
EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES IS NOT
CONSISTENTLY DEFINED AMONG ALL
STAKEHOLDERS.
FOR RENTERS OF APARTMENTS,
AND FOR FOLKS THAT WANT TO
ENJOY THEIR PARK, THE INCREASE
IN PETTY CRIMES, FIGHTING AT
ALL HOUR, OPEN AND CONSTANT
DRUG USE AND HEPATITIS
OUTBREAKS PRESENTED WHAT COULD
REASONABLE BE TERMED EXTREME
CIRCUMSTANCES.
GOOD INTENTIONS AND SCIENCE
BEHIND THIS BILL NOT
WITHSTANDING, I ASK THAT YOU
CONSIDER AMENDING IT TO
INCLUDE CAMP AND CITY PARKS AND
ANY STRIPS THAT SURROUND THEM
-- OPEN SPACES TO BE SAFE AND
WELCOMING NOW MORE THAN EVER.
SEEING FOLKS REDUCED TO
CAMPING OUTDOORS AT ALL IS A
TRAGEDY.
IF THE CITY CANNOT FIND THE
WHEREWITHAL TO HOUSE THEM, FOR
WHATEVER REASON, LET'S CARVE
OUT CAMPING IN PARKS AND THE
PARKING STRIPS AROUND IT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS AMY TOWER.
AMY TOWER.
>> HI, MY NAME IS AMY TOWER.
I AM AN EX-COUNSELOR AND A
TENANT ORGANIZER WITH THE UNITS
HERE IN SEATTLE.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES' BILL
119796.
I AM OFTEN SPEAKING WITH FOLKS
ON THE PHONE, ACROSS THE
STATE, A LOT OF FOLKS IN
SEATTLE WHO ARE FACING
DISPLACEMENT.
SINCE THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
HIT WE HAVE GOTTEN AN
INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF CALLS OF
FOLKS NOT ABLE TO PAY THEIR
RENT AND FACING POTENTIAL
EVICTION AND DISPLACEMENT.
AND I AM REALLY, REALLY
CONCERNED THAT OUR HOUSING
CRISIS WHICH IS ALREADY AN MORE
AND MORE HAS BEEN FOR YEARS,
IS GOING TO BE EXACERBATED.
I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO FOCUS
ON STOPPING THE SWEEPS WHILE
ALSO INVESTING IN PROTECTIONS
AND AFFORDABLE HOUSAL.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP, LORA LOWE.
>> I AM CALLING IN FAVOR OF CB
119796.
I AM PART OF THE ORGANIZER
CULTURE CHAIR IN THE CITY.
I ENCOURAGE ANYBODY LISTENS TO
THIS, ESPECIALLY OUR ELECTED
LEADERS TO REALLY DIG INTO THE
NAMES OF HEALTH OFFICIALS WHO
SIGNED THAT LETTER TO MAYOR
DURKIN IN SUPPORT OF THE
LEGISLATION.
PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTION IS
LETTING PEOPLE STAY IN A THEIR
TEMPORARY HOME, LETTING THEM
STAY IN THEIR TEMPORARY HOMES
AND PROVIDING SANITATION,
LAUNDRY, BATHROOMS TO THEM.
AND WE CAN SWALLOW THE
GUIDELINES FROM THE CDC,
FOLLOW BOISE, IDAHO, FOLLOW
WHAT IS LEGAL AND WHAT WILL
GIVE PEOPLE DIGNITY AND WORK
TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SAFETY FOR
EVERYBODY IN SEATTLE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
I APOLOGIZE.
I FORGOT EMILY RIGHTER.
IF YOU ARE ON IT IS TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS EMILY REITER AND I
THANK THE COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING
ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
I WORK AT PIONEER SQUARE.
A PRIMARY CONCERN IS WHETHER OR
NOT MORE URBAN SETTINGS ARE
GOING TO THE STATES.
TODAY I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN
PIONEER SQUARE.
HUMAN WASTE, AGGRESSIVE
BEHAVIOR AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
IS PREVIOUS LENT ON THE VOTE.
I DO DO NOT FEEL THAT THE
ORDINANCE TODAY IS ANSWER.
THIS MOVE WOULD CREATE A
PROBLEM MUCH LARGER IN OUR AREA
THAN THE ONE YOU ARE TRYING TO
ADDRESS AND I URGE YOU TO VOTE
NO TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP, MEGHAN CRUISE.
>>
>> MY NAME IS MEGHAN CRUISE.
I LIVE DOWN BY 3rd AND PIKE.
I SEE HOMELESS PEOPLE EVERYDAY
BUT I DON'T THINK ENCAMPMENTS
ARE A SOLUTION TO PEOPLE IN
CRISIS, ESPECIALY DURING A
PANDEMIC.
THE CAMPS LACK NECESSARY
HYGIENE AND HAVE A HEALTH RISK
TO THE RESIDENT, FIRST
RESPONDER AND THE PUBLIC AND
WORKERS.
FOCUS COUNCIL TIME AND CITY
RESOURCES ON SOLUTIONS LIKE
FAST TRACKING 24/7 SHELTERS,
HOUSING STATIONS AND TINY
HOUSES.
THE FIRST RESPONSE SHOULD BE AN
OUTREACH THAT FOLLOWS THE
MODEL IN HOUSING FOR PEOPLE IN
HOTELS AND MOTELS CURRENTLY
SHUTTERED.
THANK YOU.
>>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS CHRISTINA HERMIONE,
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE SHE IS NOT
PRESENT YET.
SO IF YOU GET ON, I WILL GO
BACK TO YOU AND CALL YOU WHEN
WE HAVE A SECOND.
I WILL MOVE ONTO THE NEXT
PRESENTER, LAURA ZAHABA.
>> HI, THANK YOU.
I AM BOTH RESIDENT OF BALLARD
AND ONE OF THE OWNERS IN STEEP
BREWING IN THE BALLARD
INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.
I AM URGING COUNCIL MEMBERS TO
VOTE NO ON CB 119796.
SUFFICIENT REGULATIONS TO
PROTECT ENCAMPMENTS ARE ALREADY
IN PLACE AND TO REMOVE HEALTH
PANDEMICS LIKE COVID-19 AND
HEPATITIS A FROM THE LIST OF
REASONS AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO
INTERVENE, PERPETUATE AN
ALREADY TROUBLING SITUATION AND
ENDANGER PUBLIC SAFETY.
AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS I SUPPORT THE
NEED FOR SOCIAL SAFETY NETS BUT
BELIEVE THAT EXTENSIONS NEED TO
BE MADE WHEN IT COMES TO
MEETING THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN
DISTRESS, AND PUBLIC NEEDS.
RATHER THAN ALLOWING
ENCAMPMENT PROBLEMS TO
EXACERBATE, I WOULD ASK THE
COUNCIL TO ALLOW THE WORK TO
CONTINUE AND FOCUS ON REAL
SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD HELP MOVE
PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND INTO
SAFE HOUSING.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KAREN GELA.
>> MY NAME IS KAREN GELAM AND
I AM SPEAKING AGAINST THE
ORDINANCE TO REMOVE THE
UNSANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS.
I AM A DOWNTOWN RESIDENT THAT
CAN NO LONGER FEEL SAFE ON THE
STREETS OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
AT LEAST A DOZEN TENTS WITHIN A
BLOCK OF MY HOME ARE IN
EXISTENCE.
MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE
ENCAMPMENTS ARE SEVERELY
MENTALLY ILL, DRUG ADDICTED OR
BOTH.
THE PEOPLE BELONG IN SUPPORTED
OUSING, NOT ON OUR STREETS
AND SIDEWALKS.
PLEASE DO YOUR JOB AND FIND
SOLUTIONS RATHER THAN ENABLING
THE CONTINUED DEGRADATION OF
THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF OUR
HOMELESS RESIDENTS AND THOSE OF
US WHO ARE HELPLESS.
WHEN I DOWNSIZED TO MOVE
DOWNTOWN I DID NOT INTEND TO
LIVE IN A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT
BUT I FIND THAT IS WHERE I LIVE
NOW
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TIA
PETROVICH BUT IT LOOKS LIKE SHE
IS NOT PRESENT YET.
SO, TIA, IF YOU LOG ON I WILL
MOVE BACK WHEN WE GET A MOMENT
TO TAKE YOU ARE COMMENT.
>> I AM A PART OF THE
VULNERABLE COMMUNITY DUE TO
AGE.
I CANNOT GET ANY AFFORDABLE
HOUSING TO CALL ME BACK OR
REPLY BY EMAIL.
THIS IS THE SAFEST --
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT COMMENTER IS --
>> HELLO.
I AM JULISSA ZING.
THE COMPETITIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA.
I AM ASKING THE COUNCIL TO VOTE
NOW ON BILL 119796.
I SIGNED A LETTER BY OVER 415
CONCERNED BUSINESSES, PROPERTY
OWNERS AND RESIDENTS OF PIONEER
SQUARE AND MORE.
IN C IRS D WE EXPERIENCED
LOCAL SHOOTINGS, PROPERTY
DAMAGE, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND
DOZENS OF BREAK-INS SINCE THE
START OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS.
AS A LOW INCOME MINORITY
NEIGHBORHOOD, CONCERNS OF
PUBLIC SAFETY HAVE AN ADDED
BURDEN TO US IN A TIME OF
CRISIS.
I ASKED COUNCIL TO VOTE NO ON
THIS BILL BECAUSE IT DOES NOT
ADDRESS THE PUBLIC SAFETY
CONCERNS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I URGE COUNCIL TO ALLOW ALL
AVAILABLE TOOLS INCLUDING A
NAVIGATION TEAM TO INSURE THE
SAFETY OF NEIGHBORHOOD
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AS
WELL AS THOSE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
AS WE THINK ABOUT THE POST-
COVID-19 RECOVERY WE KNOW THIS
IS ALSO CRITICAL IN THE
RECOVERY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KRISTIN
SAYWIN.
>> THANK YOU, I AM THE VICE
PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS
AT WAREHOUSER, IN OPPOSITION
OF CB 119796.
WAREHOUSER IS ONE OF THE LARGER
EMPLOYERS IN THE PIONEER SQUARE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE BEGUN TO
PLAN WHAT A RETURN TO THE
OFFICE MAY LOOK LIKE FOR OUR
OVER 600-PLUS EMPLOYEES.
ONE OF THE CRITICAL LIMITING
FACTORS IS THE SAFETY OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
YOU HEARD FROM OTHERS IN
PIONEER SQUARE AND THE
INTERNATIONAL -- ONGOING
ELEMENTS CRITICAL TOOL IN
ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE
ISSUES.
WE BELIEVE THAT CB 119796 IS A
STEP TOO FAR AND IT ELIMINATES
A TOOL THAT THE DOWNTOWN AND
THE REST OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS
REALLY RELY ON TO PROVIDE
SAFETY ELEMENTS FOR OUR
EMPLOYEES.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CARRIE
BATHES.
BEATS.
BATES.
I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF
PIONEER SQUARE FOR SIX YEARS.
OVER THE YEARS I HAVE SEEN THE
HIGHS AND LOWS OF LIVING IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
RIGHT NOW WITH BUSINESSES
CLOSED THE SITUATION IS DIRE.
I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE WALKING
THE TWO BLOCKS TO MY OFFICE.
I HAVE BEEN CHARGED AT, THINGS
THROWN AT ME AND YELLED AT.
THERE ARE NEEDLES AND HUMAN
WASTE ON THE SIDEWALKS ALONG
WITH BROKEN GLASS EVERYWHERE.
HONESTLY IF THINGS CONTINUE
DOWN THIS PATH I CAN NO LONGER
LIVE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD I
HAVE GROWN TO LOVE.
NOT COMING ONE A COMPASSIONATE
SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESSNESS
FOR ALL CREATE AS LARGER
PROBLEM.
IF THIS IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE
MANY BUSINESSES WILL NOT RETURN
TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND LOOK
ELSEWHERE ALONG WITH MANY
RESIDENTS THAT WILL CHOOSE TO
MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE.
WE NEED TO FIND A REAL
SOLUTION.
PLEASE VOTE NOW TO 119796.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LISA
NITZY.
>> I AM ASKING COUNCIL MEMBERS
TO VOTE NO ON CB 119796.
WE ARE CURRENTLY BUILDING UNITS
AND WORKFORCE HOUSING ON SOUTH
WASHINGTON BETWEEN 2nd AND 3rd
ON PIONEER SQUARE.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO
CONTRIBUTING TO ITS STATE OF
THE, STABILITY, HEALTH AND
VITALITY.
WE ARE IN FAVOR OF SAFE
SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS AND
SEEKING LONG TERM PERMANENT
SUPPORT OF HOUSING BUT WE FOUND
THAT TENT ENCAMPMENTS ON
SIDEWALK, PARTICULARLY THAT
CURRENTLY EXIST ON THE SECOND
AVENUE EXTENSION NEAR OUR
BUILDING SITE LEAD TO ORGANIZED
CRIME, GUNS, DRUG, HUMAN
TRAFFICKING AND VIOLENCE.
OUR DEVELOPMENT WILL BRING
NEARLY 160 NEW MIDDLE INCOME
RESIDENTS TO PIONEER SQUARE AND
WE CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT
PROTECTING THEIR SAFETY AND THE
SAFETY OF ALL OTHERS LIVING,
WORKING AND VISITING IN THE
AREA.
PLEASE VOTE NO ON 119796.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ANDREW
CONSTANTINO.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ANDREW
CONSTANTINO, SITE COORDINATOR
FOR THE GEORGETOWN VILLAGE THAT
PROVIDES SHELTER FOR MEN,
WOMEN AND CHILDREN EVERYDAY.
THE VILLAGE MODEL HAS PROVEN
ITS ADAPTABILITY AND
RESILIENCE.
TINY HOUSE US ALLOW FOR MORE
VULNERABLE VILLAGERS TO TAKE
PRECAUTION SUCH AS SOCIAL
DISTANCING AND SHELTERING IN
PLACE IN A HUMANE, DIGNIFIED
WAY.
THE VILLAGES THEMSELVES AND THE
COMMUNITY OFFER ACCESS TO MY
JEAN FACILITY, MEALS, CASE
MANAGEMENT AND FRIENDSHIP AT AN
UNCERTAIN TIME.
WE RECEIVE CALLS FROM PEOPLE
DAILY WONDERING HOW THEY CAN
GET IN.
SOME RECENTLY SWEPT.
WE NEED MORE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES SO WE CAN BRING
EVERYONE INSIDE.
>> THANK YOU, OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS MIKE PIERSON
>> MY NAME IS MIKE PIERSON AND
I AM ADDRESSING CB 119796.
LAST YEAR I SPENT HUNDREDS OF
HOURS VOLUNTEERS FOR PEOPLE
THAT HAVE STRUGGLED WITH
MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOMELESSNESS
AND I WILL DO THAT AGAIN THIS
YEAR.
MY EXPERIENCE TEACHING ME WE
NEED TO FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS AND
EFFECTIVE AND MEANINGFUL
SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS AND THE CHALLENGES
THAT LEAD TO IT.
TREATMENT, HOUSING, 24/7
SHELTER SERVICES.
BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT
THIS BILL WILL ENDANGER
VULNERABLE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE,
NOT HELP THEM.
IT WILL REDUCE PUBLIC SAFETY,
IN PARTICULAR FOR THOSE MOST AT
RISK AND PASSING THIS BILL WILL
UNDERMINE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND
TRUST THAT THE COUNCIL IS T█RUL
FOCUSED ON SOLUTION WHERE IT
NEEDS TO BE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LAURA
CORBY.
>> I AM CALLING TO VOTE NO TO
CB 119796 --
>> YOU ARE SOUNDING QUIET,
LAURA.
WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> THERE YOU GO.
PERFECT
>> OH, GOOD.
HI
>> GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I AM CALLING TO ASK COUNCIL
TO VOTE NO TO COUNCIL BILL
119796.
I DO SUPPORT A REGIONAL LOCAL
APPROACH EXPANDING DRUG AND
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THE
USE OF THE NAVIGATION TEAM.
I TURNING THE COUNCIL TO VOTE
NO.
THIS BILL DOES NOT ADEQUATELY
SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JAMES
WONG.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JAMES WONG.
I GREW UP IN SEATTLE NEAR CHINA
TOWN SINCE 1982.
AFTER WORKING HARD TO ACHIEVE
THE AMERICAN DREAM I AM A
PROPERTY OWNER AND BUSINESS
OWNER IN CHINA TOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT.
I URGE YOU NOT TO TAP CB 119796
THAT WILL RESTRICT THE
NAVIGATION TEAM FROM MOVING
SANCTIONS IN CAMPS.
MY 70-YEAR-OLD MILLITHAT LIVES
IN CHINATOWN HAS BEEN MUGGED
AT HER APARTMENT MULTIPLE
TIMES.
SHE DOESN'T FEEL SAFE WALKING
AROUND AS WELL AS HER NEIGHBORS
THAT DON'T FEEL SAFE WITH
HOMELESS LIVING ILLEGALLY
CLOSE BY.
MY CO-WORKERS AND I DON'T FEEL
SAFE AS WELL.
TE CITY IS COMMITTED TO THE
ONLY CLEARING OUT ENCAMPMENTS
THAT POSE EXTREME PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SAFETY ISSUES.
IT IS TIME THEY LISTEN TO THE
CONCERN OF THE COMMUNITY.
MORE THAN 8,000 HAVE SIGNED THE
TIGS AGAINST THE BILL SO NO TO
119796.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JASPER
OLIVE
>> HI, THIS IS JASPER OLIVE.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I AM
CURRENTLY HOMELESS AND I AM
LIVING IN AN ENCAMPMENT SINCE
AUGUST AND IT HAS MADE A HUGE
DIFFERENCE IN MY QUALITY OF
LIFE AND SAFETY.
AND COMING FROM IOWA, I CAME
HERE, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SERVICES I
REQUIRE AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
GET BACK TO WORK, HOWEVER WITH
COVID-19, MY WORK I AM
CURRENTLY ON FURLOUGH, SO I
HAVE HAD TO COME BACK TO AN
ENCAMPMENT AND I AM CURRENTLY
RESIDING AT NICKELSVILLE NORTH
LAKE.
I FEEL THERE IS A ISSUE WITH
THE CORONAVIRUS GOING ON RIGHT
NOW WITH THE ABILITY TO BE IN
MY OWN SPACE.
I AM EXPOSED TO --
>> THANK YOU, THE NEXT SPEAKER
IS THATCHER BAILEY.
>> HI
>> I AM THATCHER BAILEY,
SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO CB
119796 ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
OF SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION.
OUTDOOR CAMPING IN ALL OUR CITY
PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS FOR THE
REMAINDER OF THE YEAR MEANS
CAMPING WOULD BE SANCTIONED ON
GOLF COURSES, BEACH, STATE
PARK, HIKE TRAILS AND ON.
WE WERE HERE A COUPLE YEARS AGO
WHEN THE COUNCIL DEBATED A
SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT WAS
TABLED BECAUSE IT OFFERED NO
REAL SOLUTIONS TO THE MYRIAD
PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES ABOUT
UNHOUSED RESIDENTS IN OUR CITY
AND BECAUSE PUBLIC OUTCRY WAS
SO OVERWHELMING.
IN THIS MOMENT WHEN PEOPLE'S
NEEDS ARE NEVER MORE EVIDENCED
IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD THIS
REPURPOSING FEELS LIKE A POORLY
THOUGHT OUT STRATEGY.
PARKS WERE NOT THEN AND NEVER
WILL BE A SOLUTION TO OUR
HOMELESS CRISIS OR OUR HEALTH
CARE CRISIS.
AND LEGISLATION LIKE THIS STEMS
DIVISION.
>> THANK YOU, THE NEXT SPEAKER
IS SUSAN MARINELLO.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM SUSAN MARINELLO.
I OWN A DESIGN BUSINESS IN
PIONEER SQUARE LOCATED AT MAIN
STREET AT OCCIDENTAL PARK.
I HAVE FELT A STRONG KINSHIP TO
PIONEER SQUARE AND CALLING IN
AGAINST 119796.
I MADE PIONEER SQUARE MY
BUSINESS HOME FOR THE LAST 17
YEARS.
WE HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO THE
UPS AND DOWNS OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD, HOWEVER I AM
FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY, MY
EMPLOYEE'S SAFETY AND THE
SAFETY OF THE CLIENTS WE
REALLY VALUE.
THERESA BARKER, I WILL HOLD
YOUR PLACE.
THE NEXT SPEAKER PRESENT ISLINE
PACKER
>> HI THERE, I AM RYAN PACKER,
I LIVE IN CAPITOL HILL.
THE CORONAVIRUS HAS BEEN A BIT
OF AN EXTRA IN TERMS OF HOW
SEATTLE'S POLICIES REALLY
TREAT PEOPLE, LOCKED
RESTROOMS AND PARKS, TWO
MONTHS OF A SHOWER RENTAL
WASTING MONEY AND ULTIMATELY
NOT PROVIDING ANY PLACE IN A
PUBLIC TRUST FOR PEOPLE THAT
DON'T HAVE HOUSES.
THAT IS A FAILURE.
IT IS JUST WATCHING THE VIDEO
FROM THE SWEEP LAST WEEK, IT
IS MIND-BOGGLING THAT ANYONE
COULD BE OPPOSED TO STOPPING
THAT AND IT IS JUST MIND-
BOGGLING TO ME.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS -- I AM SORRY, I
LOST MY PLACE FOR A SECOND.
ANITRA FREEMAN.
>> HI.
I AM WITH REAL WOMEN IN BLACK.
SUPPORTING 119796 I WITNESSED
THE SWEEP AT 12th AND WELLARD
LAST WEEK ALONG WITH 20 OTHERS
WHO CAME WITH FOOD, COFFEE AND
GARBAGE BAGS.
WE WERE NOT ALLOWED IN TO
DELIVER EVEN GARBAGE BAGS, AND
THE POLICE WOULD NOT GO OVER
THEM FOR US.
THE SHELTER REFERRAL, SOCIAL
WORKERS THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED
IN.
I SAW NO SOCIAL WORKERS INSIDE.
MOST OF THE CAMPERS HAD NOT
RECEIVED REFERRALS FROM THE NAB
TEAM.
SOME WORKERS HAD MORE
BELONGINGS THAN THEY COULD
CARRY IN ONE LOAD.
AFTER THEY TOOK ONE LOAD OUT
THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GET
THE REST.
THE CITY PROTOCOL SAID OWNERS
COULD PICK THEM UP LATER BUT
THEY WERE DUMPED.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CARL
HAGLAND.
>> I AM HERE FROM THE CARL
HAGLAND FOUNDATION.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS
SWEEP.
I WAS APPALLED BY WHAT I SAW
AND WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO
TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH NEXT
TIME.
LAST YEAR I WALKED THE CAMP AND
WHAT I SAW --
>> YOU CUT OUT THERE, CARL.
>> WE WILL MOVE ONTO THE NEXT
PERSON.
CARL, IF YOU WANT TO CALL BACK
IN, WE CAN REVISIT YOUR
COMMENTS.
STACEY JOHNSON?
>> STACEY JOHNSON?
>> YES, I AM HERE.
[ MUFFLED AUDIO ]
NOW THEY HAVE A WHOLE TON OF
MONEY AND NOTHING TO SHOW FOR
IT THAN THE SAME PEOPLE ON THE
STREET AND NO BETTER OFF THAN
2.0 BUT NOW THEY WILL BE HUNG
OVER.
OW SCREWED THAT IS.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BRONSON
COROSCO.
>> I AM A RESIDENT OF TENT CITY
3. I AM FOR THE BILL 119796.
IT IS INHUMANE THE FORCEFULLY
REMOVE PEOPLE FROM SHELTERS AND
CAMPS IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.
THE SWEEP ARE NOT THE SOLUTIONS
TO RID HOMELESSNESS.
THE AL TERN TIFF SOLUTION IS TO
GIVE PEOPLE HOMES AS SOON AS
THEY NEED IT.
UNCONDITIONAL.
OUR LIVES HAVE VALUE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
>> THANK YOU.
I AM NOW GOING BACK TO CARL
HAGLAND.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER, I AM NOT
SEEING CARL HAGLAND IN THE LIST
RIGHT NOW.
>> LL RIGHT.
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS NOT
PRESENT THEN.
I AM MOVING ON TO EDEN
NARDONE.
>> HELLO, I AM SPEAKING IN
OPPOSITION TO 119796.
. I NOTICED YOU WROTE
ENCOURAGING CAMPERS TO MAINTAIN
THE 12X12 FOOTPRINT FOR COVID
AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.
HOW WOULD THE FORMULA CHANGE AS
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE
CLAN WOULD INCREASE.
SHOULD A COUPLE HAVE A 24X24
FOOTPRINT.
WHAT ABOUT A FAMILY OF FOUR?
HOW BIG WOULD THEIR SPACE BE?
IT IS ACTUALLY A MOOT POINT
WHEN I AM ASKING THIS QUESTION
BECAUSE SOCIAL DISTANCING
REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT
ENFORCEABLE.
THEY DIDN'T MAINTAIN SIX FEET
IN ANY TENT ENCAMPMENT NOW.
WHY WOULD THINGS CHANGE?
THE -- VOTE NO.
>> NEXT UP IS JAMES ZANG NOT
PRESENT.
IF YOU ARE OUT THERE I WILL
RESERVE YOUR PLACE.
NEXT UP IS BEN CHEN.
HE IS CURRENTLY NOT PRESENT,
AS WELL.
WE WILL HOLD THAT PLACE, BEN,
IF YOU COME BACK.
NEXT UP IS RINALDO SHORTER NOT
PRESENT ALSO.
NEXT UP IS JOSH CASTLE
>> HI, I AM JOSHING CAS WE
WILL LEE HIGHWAY.
WE SUPPORT COUNCIL BILL 119796
AND URGE YOU TO VOTE YES.
WE WORK WITH A NAVIGATION TEAM
THAT PROVIDES REFERRALS TO THE
VILLAGES BUT ESPECIALLY WITHOUT
HIGH QUALITY SHELTER AND
HOUSING TO REFER PEOPLE TO,
THESE SWEEPS WORSEN
HOMELESSNESS, TRAUMA AND
DESPERATION AND EXPOSURE TO
COVID-19.
THE COUNTY RECENTLY MOVED 400
PEOPLE FROM NON-CONGREGATE
SHELTERS TO HOTELS BUT WHAT IS
A LONG TERM PLAN.
IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO GO
BACK OUT ON THE STREETS AND
BACK OUT TO CROWDED SHELTERS.
LEE HIGHWAY CAN STAND UP -- LEW
HIGHWAY GOOD QUALITY HIKING
FACILITIES AND SOCIAL
DISTANCING.
PLEASE SUPPORT $6 MILLION FOR
COVID EMERGENCY FUNDING TO
ADDRESS THE CRISIS AND THE
UNHOUSED AND HOUSED NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP, MIKE STEWART.
>> BALLARD ALLIANCE REPRESENTS
HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES AND
THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS IN THE
CORE.
I AM HERE TO EXPRESS OPPOSITION
TO ANY FACILITY ENGAGING AND
REMOVING ENCAMPMENTS,
PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT POSE A
SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY AND
HEALTH RISK.
THE EFFORTS ARE CRITICAL TO
CREWS ADDRESSING THE NEED TO
THE PARK EARLIER THIS MONTH.
LOCATE THED IN THE VILLAGE,
COMMON PARKS AN PLAZA
OVERFLOWED WITH ENCAMPMENTS
THAT PRESENTED SIGNIFICANT
PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES AND ALSO
THE SOURCE OF HEPATITIS A
OUTBREAK.
SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED SHELTER
FOR MORE THAN 20 INDIVIDUALS.
NOT ONLY DID THIS PROVIDE AN
OPTION AND ACCESS NEED OF
RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS, IT
PROVIDED NEEDED RELIEF FOR THE
HUNDREDS OF REPRESENTS THAT
LIVE ADJACENT TO THE PARK.
IT IS RULED UNDER CURRENT
CONDITIONS THE NAVIGATION
TEAM'S EFFORTS TOOK TOO LONG.
DON'T ADD NEW RESTRICTIONS THAT
WILL LIMIT, LENGTHEN OR
RESTRICT THE PROCESS FROM
MOVING FORWARD.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP, TRACY WILLIAMS
>> YES.
>> HI, I AM TRACY WILLIAMS
LIVING AT TRUE HOPE VILLAGE FOR
FOUR MONTHS.
I AM ASKING FOR FUNDING FOR
MORE TINY HOUSES AND HELP A
PERSON LIKE MYSELF GET INTO
PERPETRATE HOUSING.
WITH THE COVID GOING ON THERE
IS NO WAY I CAN GET INTO
PERMANENT HOUSING BECAUSE
EVERYTHING IS ON LOCKDOWN AND
WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR
OTHER PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGES
AND HOMELESS PEOPLE TO FIND
PERMANENT HOUSING AND NOT BE
OUT ON THE STREETS AND HAVE A
PERMANENT ROOF OTHER THEIR
HEAD.
TRUE HOPE VILLAGE HAS BEEN A
VERY HELPFUL PLACE FOR ME TO
GET BACK ON MY FEET.
I AM A RECOVERING ADDICT.
THEY HAVE BEEN HELPING ME FIND
A JOB AND HOUSING BUT I AM
STILL ON THE WAITING LIST
BECAUSE OF THE COVID VIRUS AND
I CAN'T GET ANY HELP SO I AM
ASKING FOR MORE FOLLOWED UPPING
FOR TINY HOMES AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE
LIKE MYSELF.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT UP, AGAIN, I AM
SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE SAID AT
THE TOP OF THIS THAT I WILL
MISPRONOUNCE A LOT OF PEOPLE'S
NAMES AND I AM VERY SORRY ABOUT
THAT.
THE NEXT PERSON IS -- BUT IT
LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE NOT
PRESENT.
IF THEY ARE OUT THERE I WILL
HOLD THEIR SPOT BUT FOR NOW WE
WILL GO ONTO THE NEXT SPEAKER,
AND THAT IS HATTIE RHODES.
>> I AM FORMALLY OF THE
GEORGETOWN TINY HOUSE VILLAGE.
I HAVE SEEN THEM PROVIDE A SAFE
AND DIGNIFIED PLACE FOR THOSE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESS EVER AND
IT IS AN INVALUABLE PROGRAM
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
VILLAGERS STILL HAVE ACCESS TO
RESTROOMS, SHOWERS AND
LAUNDRY.
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY PROVIDES
ACCESS TO VILLAGES STAYING
CONNECTED TO FRIENDS AND
FAMILY AND INFORMED ABOUT THE
PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
OPERATION PACKED LUNCH PROVIDES
A MEAL EVERYDAY.
SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS HAVE
REACHED OUT, DONATED AND MADE
US FEEL LIKE WE ARE PART OF THE
PEOPLE.
IN THE TINY VILLAGES PEOPLE ARE
ABLE TO SELF-ISOLATE WITHOUT
FEELING ISOLATED.
THEY ARE ADAPTABLE COMMUNITY-
DRIVEN MODELS AND WILL HELP US
WEATHER MANY MORE STORMS
TOGETHER.
LET'S DO MORE.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, NEXT UP, ROBERT
DAVIS
>> THIS BILL WILL ALLOW CAMPING
TO CROSS SEATTLE AND BLOCK
SEATTLE -- BLOCK POLICE FROM
ENCAMPMENTS FOR NEARLY ANY
REASON.
THIS PROPOSAL IS WRONG IN THAT
ALLOWING CAMPING EVERYWHERE
DOES NOT SOLVE HOMELESSNESS.
IT DOES NOT MOVE ONE PERSON TO
A SAFE HOME OR PROVIDE SERVICES
THAT PERSON MIGHT NEED.
SOME LIVING IN THE HUNDREDS OF
ENCAMPMENTS ARE ENGAGED IN
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, SOME.
MANY CAMPERS ALSO STRUGGLE WITH
SUBSTANCE ABUSE, THE SINGLE
LARGEST DRIVER OF THEIR
DAMAGING BEHAVIOR MAKING THE
ENCAMPMENTS A MAJOR CONCERN IN
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD BE
FOCUSING ON SOLUTIONS.
THEY SHOULD EXPAND DRUG AND
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
SERVICES WHICH ARE MEANINGFUL
SOLUTIONS TO HELP PEOPLE FIND
THEIR WAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.
I WOULD ASK THE COUNCIL TO VOTE
NO ON THIS BILL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP WE HAVE THERESA HOMAN
NOT CURRENTLY PRESENT.
I WILL HOLD YOUR PLACE.
IF YOU ARE PRESENT WE WILL COME
BACK TO YOU.
NEXT UP IS GORDON CONOR
>> OKAY, WELL I GUESS WE WILL
COME BACK TO GORDON CONOR.
NEXT UP IS JIMMY LAING WHO IS
NOT PRESENT.
JIMMY, IF YOU DO COME BACK, I
WILL HOLD YOUR PLACE.
NEXT UP IS MI JU LIN
>> HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
YES.
GO AHEAD.
>> HI, I AM THE PRESIDENT OF
THE BENEVOLENCE ASSOCIATION 22
ORGANIZATIONS.
WE ARE OPPOSING THE BILL
119796.
THIS ORDINANCE IS POORLY
WRITTEN, NO STRATEGY, NO
PERMANENT SOLUTION AT ALL.
AFTER LIVING HOMELESS IN
HOTEL, THEN WHAT?
THEY ARE BACK TO IS STREET.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE TAKING
CARE OF THE HOMELESS, BUT IT
IS NOT, BECAUSE NO TOTAL
SOLUTION.
I WROTE THE LETTER TO MY
MAYOR'S OFFICE AND COUNCIL
MEMBERS TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES,
ALSO MY PERM EXPERIENCE LAST
WEEK.
HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES IS
OUR COMMUNITY CONCERN.
PLUS OUR LETTER WAS IGNORED BY
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND OUR
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD
BE REPRESENTING US.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE HAVE A
TOTAL SOLUTION.
MAKE SURE THAT --
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE ALICE LOCKHART.
>> HI.
I ORGANIZE WITH 350 SEATTLE WE
FAVOR SCIENCE-BASED POLICY FOR
MATTERS INCLUDING CLIMATE BUT
ALSO PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE, OF COURSE, FAVOR THE CITY
ABIDING BY CDC GUIDELINES WITH
RESPECT TO ALLOWING HOMELESS
TO STAY IN RELATIVELY SAFE
POSITION INSIDE TENTS AS
OPPOSED TO I HAVE SEEN THE
NAVIGATION TEAMS IN VARIABLY,
BRUTALLY DESTROY AND REMOVE THE
PROPERTY OF PEOPLE RENDERING
THEM EVER MORE VULNERABLE, IN
THE CASE OF COVID, VULNERABLE
TO THE DISEASE AND SPREADING
IT TO THE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITYS.
I APPLAUD THE LEGISLATION AND
REJECT THE IDEA THAT BECAUSE IT
IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION
THAT IT IS A BAD SOLUTION.
IT IS A GOOD PIECE OF THE
SOLUTION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO
DOING MORE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAK SERR NORA CHEN.
THIS IS AN INTERPRETER
PRESENTER, SO THREE MINUTES
AND IS EVERYTHING SET UP TO
TAKE NORA'S PUBLIC COMMENT?
>> YES
>> THANK YOU.
>> HIGH SCHOOL
>> THE TRANSLATOR IS HERE.
>> I DON'T NEED A TRANSLATOR.
I DON'T KNOW WHO ORDERED A
TRANSLATOR FOR ME.
IT WASN'T ME.
>> SORRY, NORA.
ON MY LIST TRANSLATOR WAS
DESIGNATED.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
YOU MAY PROCEED.
>> OH, OKAY.
MY NAME IS NORA CHEN.
I AM OPPOSING THE BILL 119796.
WITH MY LATE HUSBAND AND DR.
CHEN WE HAVE 35 YEARS OF
PROPERTY AND BUSINESS OPENER
AND REPRESENTS IN CHINATOWN.
CHINATOWN IS A VIBRANT DISTRICT
IN SEATTLE.
WE HAVE OVER IS THOUSAND
WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE
AND IN YOU IMMIGRANTS WITH
SMALL CHILDREN.
THEY ARE OLD OR YOUNG BUT HAVE
LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND OUR LOW
AND INCOME FAMILIES ARE
VICTIMS OF THEFT, ASSAULT AND
NOW CRIMES.
THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOOLS IN
THIS AREA, AND HUMAN WASTE
EVERYWHERE, EVERYDAY.
SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
WE NEED HELP IN CHINATOWN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AM I SEEING ON THE LIST THAT
CARL HAGLAND IS BACK?
STAFF?
>> YES, HE IS.
>> SO, CARL HAGLAND.
>> HI, CARL HAGLAND.
I WANTED TO ADDRESS THE
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT SWEEP LAST
FRIDAY.
I WAS APPALLED.
WE NEED TO FIGHT THE CAUSE OF
HOMELESSNESS WHICH IN MOST
CASES IS DEEP ADDICTION.
I WALKED CAMP OF LITTLE SAIGON
AND IT BROKE MY HEART.
ONE MAN WAS SHOOTING UP AND HIS
FRIEND WAS PASSED OUT WITH A
NEEDLE IN HIS ARM.
I SAW BROKEN HEARTS AND
ADDICTIONS.
WHEN A CITY COMES AND SWEEPS
OUT AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND
FORCES THE HOPELESS DRUG
ADDICTS TO LIVE IN INDUSTRIAL
MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS, SIMPLY
HIDING THE ADDICTIONS DOESN'T
MAKE IT GO AWAY.
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE
ADDICTIONS AND GIVE THE PEOPLE
HOPE THROUGH ADDICTION
TREATMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES
INSTEAD OF SWEEPING CAMPS.
I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO
SPEAK THE WORD ADDICTION,
ADDICTION, AND KNOW WHAT TO DO
AND STOP THE CONVERSATION WE
JUST NEED TO GET THEM A HOME
>> THANK YOU.
SO, IT LOOKS LIKE A COUPLE
MORE FOLKS WHO WERE ABSENT ARE
NOW HERE.
I WANT TO SAY BECAUSE WE ARE AT
THE END OF OUR 60 MINUTES.
KIM MEMBER. COUNCIL MEMBERS,
I WANT TO SAY I WILL REDUCING
THE TIME TO 45 MINUTES.
WE WANT TO GET TO EVERYBODY BUT
WE HAVE BUSINESS WE NEED TO
ATTEND TO AND PRESENTERS THAT
ARE PRESENT.
I AM REDUCING IT TO 45 SECONDS
PERPRESENTER.
WE DON'T HAVE MANY FOLKS THAT
NEED TRANSLATION.
I AM LOWERING IT TO 45 SECONDS
FOR OUR REMAINING SPEAKERS AND
WOULD ASK THE COMMUNITY'S
INDULGENCE FOR 30 MORE MINUTES
OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
OKAY.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, WE WILL
HAVE 30 MORE MINUTES OF PUBLIC
COMMENT UNDER THOSE TERMS.
WE NOW HAVE BEN CHEN PRESENT.
THIS IS AN INTERPRETER OR IT IS
MARKED.
IS THAT THE CASE, BEN?
>> YES.
THAT IS TRUE BUT I AM NOT
SEEING THE TRANSLATOR ON THE
CALL RIGHT NOW GIVE ME A
SECOND.
>> INTERPRETER IS CALLING BACK
IN.
>> THANK YOU
>> SHOULD WE GO TO ANOTHER
PRESENTER WHILE WE WAIT?
>> SURE.
GORDON CONOR?
TAKE IT AWAY.
YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.
>> I AM CURRENTLY HOMELESS IN
TC3.
I AM CALLING FOR BILL 119796.
[ MUFFLED AUDIO ] THE CITY
NEEDS TO STOP DISRUPTING LIVES
BY THROWING AWAY THEIR FEW
POSSESSIONS REMAINING TO THEM.
THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU, SO IS BEN CHEN
NOW READY TO GIVE HIS PUBLIC
COMMENT?
YES.
>> AND THE TRANSLATOR IS ON
NOW.
>> YES.
I AM HERE.
>> YOU MAY PROCEED.
GOVERNOR?
>> MR. CHEN?
>> I AM SO SORRY, FOR SOME
REASON I CAN NOT HEAR MR. CHEN.
>> MR. CHEN, CAN YOU UNMUTE,
PLEASE.
>> HELLO?
[ SPEAKI NG FOREIGN LANGUAGE ]
>> I CALL IN TO OPPOSE THIS
PROPOSAL TO 119796.
I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT
IS VERY IRRESPONSIBLE, IS NOT
TAKING UP THE RESPONSIBILITY AT
ALL AND DUMPING THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOMELESS
POPULATION TO ALL THE
POPULATION OF THE SEATTLE
PEOPLE.
IF THIS BILL IS PASSED I HAVE
NO DOUBT, NO DOUBT, ALL
BUSINESS IN THE SEATTLE AREA
WILL DIE, ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT
ABOUT IT.
SO I OPPOSE THIS BILL, PLEASE
DO NOT PASS THIS BILL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
COMMENTS.
WE DO NOW HAVE -- PRESENT,
WHICH I BELIEVE IS ALSO A
TRANSLATOR MATTER.
[ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ]
>> MY NAME IS --.
I REPRESENT ALL THE SENIORS IN
CHINA IN THE CHINA
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AREA.
SHE SPEAKS FOR THEM.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE TO THIS BILL
119796 BECAUSE I WANT TO
PROTECT BECAUSE WE NEED TO
PROTECT THE SAFETY AND THE
RESIDENTS IN CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT,
PROTECT THE SAFETY, PROTECT
THE PROPERTY AND PROTECT THEM.
IF HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED
TO GO INSIDE, THE BUSINESS C
IRS B WILL DECLINE
DRAMATICALLY.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE VIABLE
BUSINESS IN CHINA TOWN SO I
STRONGLY OPPOSE AND REPRESENT
ALL OF THE -- IN -- AREA.
>> THANK YOU.
JUST AS A REMINDER, IT WASN'T
AN ISSUE IN THAT COMMENT BUT,
OKAY, STAFF ANTICIPATED MY
REQUEST WHICH WAS GOING TO BE
SET THE TIME IRFOR 3 MINUTES.
NOT 3:45.
NEXT IS JAMIE -- ALSO A
TRANSLATOR.
ARE YOU READY?
>> YES.
>> YES, I AM READY.
[ SPEAKING FOREIGN LAN GUAGE ]
>> HI, MY NAME IS --.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE BILL 119796.
I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN
CHINATOWN FOR 28 YEARS.
MY MOTHER IS 88 YEARS OLD.
SHE HAS LIVED IN CHINATOWN FOR
20-SOME YEARS.
SHE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY
SAFETY IN CHINATOWN.
WHEN SHE HEARD ABOUT THE BILL
HER CONCERN HAS INCREASED ABOUT
MY SAFETY.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS BILL TO
PASS BECAUSE NIM CHINATOWN
DOING MY BUSINESS.
I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF HOMELESS
PEOPLE DOING THEIR BATHROOM
BUSINESS IN CHINATOWN, THEY
ROB PEOPLE, THEY ARE DOING
DRUG BUSINESS IN CHINATOWN.
IF WE ALLOW THIS BILL TO PASS
IT WILL SINCERELY EFFECT THE
SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS IN
CHINATOWN AND ALSO THE BUSINESS
WILL BE NEGATIVELY, STRONGLY
NEGATIVELY EFFECTED IN
CHINATOWN, SO I HOPE ALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS YOU WILL DEAL
WITH THIS MATTER FAIRLY AND
WITH JUSTICE AND, AGAIN, I
WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE PASSING
BILL 119796 NUMBER.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT UP IS PHIL
LEWIS.
>> ANYWAY, I APPRECIATE THE
ASSISTANCE FOR 119796.
IT HAS GIVEN ME A PLACE TO GO.
UNDERSTAND WHEN IT COMES TO THE
CORONAVIRUS I FEEL IT CAN BE
IRERADICATED BY -- THANK YOU
UP.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP IS JEFF MILLER.
>> THIS IS JEFF MILLER, I AM
THE VICE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 27
SPEAKING AGAINST 119796.
WE ARE RESPONDING TO AND SEE
FIRSTHAND TRAGIC, UNSANITARY,
UNHEALTHY, OFTEN HORRIFIC
CONDITIONS IN MANY HOMELESS
INDIVIDUALS THAT SHOULDN'T
EXIST IN UNAUTHORIZED
ENCAMPMENTS.
WE OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION
BECAUSE IT INCLUDES
RESTRICTIONS ON THE CITY'S
ABILITY TO ADDRESS ENCAMPMENTS
DESPITE THE IMPACTS THE
ENCAMPMENT HAS ON RESIDENTS
BUSINESSES AND WORKER AS
CUSTOMERS.
IT WOULD STOP THE NAVIGATION
FROM PROVIDING SERVICES
DESPITE SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SAFETY CONCERNS AND
JEOPARDIZES THE SAFETY OF OUR
FIREFIGHTERS BECAUSE EVEN
THOUGH IT EFFECTIVELY HAS
EXCEPTIONS FOR FIRE SAFETY,
INFRASTRUCTURE DOESN'T OTHER
TYPES OF FIRE SAFETY HAZARDS.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT UP IS LIANG
CHEN.
>> YES
>> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.
I AM ADDRESSING MY POSITION TO
OPPOSE THE BILL 119796.
I AM A CHINA SCHOOL TEACHER IN
THE GREATER SEATTLE AREA.
ALWAYS TAKE MY SCHOOL KIDS TO
CID TO ABSORB THE DIVERSIFIED
AND RICH CULTURE EXPERIENCE IN
THIS AREA, IN THE CID.
I AM ALSO A FREQUENT PATRON OF
CID.
I HAVE SEEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL
--
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP WE HAVE MING ZOU.
>> MY NAME IS MING.
I ASKED MY FRIEND IF SHE WOULD
COME TO CHINATOWN BUT SHE SAID
IT IS SO DANGEROUS.
THERE IS AN IMPRESSION FOR MANY
PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN SEATTLE.
WE ARE TIRED OF THE CRIME AND
THE GARBAGE IN THE STREETS AND
THE THE CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICTS.
WE NEED TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF
OUR BUSINESSES, AND
VISITORS.
AND WE HAVE 8,000 PEOPLE THAT
SIGNED A PETITION TO OPPOSE THE
CB 119796.
PLEASE OPPOSE THE BILL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WANT TO FLAG, I SKIPPED OVER
A FEW NOT PRESENTS.
I WANT TO FLAG THAT YOUR PLACE
IN LINE IS SECURE IF YOU COME
BACK AND STILL WANT TO COMMENT.
I KNOW THOSE FOLKS ARE KIND OF
.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DY KIM.
>> HELLO, A LOT OF PEOPLE AS
OPPOSED TO THE BILL ARE STATING
THAT THEY WANT A REAL SOLUTION.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE SOMEONE
THAT WORKED IN A DOING SHELTER
AND HOUSING ADVOCATE FOR MANY
YEARS THAT THE HOMELESS
ENCAMPMENT SWEEP IS NOT A
SOLUTION.
THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAWSUIT
AGAINST THE HOMELESS SWEEPS
CALLING THEM CRUEL AND
UNNECESSARY.
THE CDC SHOULD STOP ALL THE
SWEEPS UNTIL WE ARE FULLY OUT
OF THE PANDEMIC.
SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO
DESTROY TENTS AND BELONGINGS
IS NOT A SOLUTION.
I AM FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER
SOLUTION BUT THE SWEEPS ARE
NOT IT.
I VOTE FOR STOPPING THE SWEEPS
IS A NECESSARY FIRST STEP IN
WORKING TOWARD A RELEASE
SOLUTION LIKE BUILDING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL.
THANK YOU
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANGELA
LEJA.
>> HI.
I BELIEVE IN HEALTHY SOLUTIONS
FOR ALL CITIZENS.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CB 119796
DOES THIS.
WE NEED TO SUPPORT SOLUTIONS
THAT WORK SUCH AS DRUG AND
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, TINY
HOUSES AND THE NAVIGATION TEAM.
THE HOMELESSNESS FUNDS WERE
MANAGED BETTER WE CAN DECREASE
THE WASTE OF RESOURCES IN
SUPPORT OF HEALTHY SOLUTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SHANTY
MANSING WHO DOES NOT LOOK TO BE
PRESENT.
I WILL HOLD YOUR SPOT IF YOU
LOG IN.
NEXT UP IS THERESA METLER.
>> HELLO.
I CURRENTLY RESIDE AT THE
GEORGETOWN TINY HOUSE VILLAGE.
I HAVE BEEN HERE ABOUT A YEAR.
I AM ABOUT 60 YEARS OLD.
I DON'T KNOW, I WANT TO
EMPHASIZE PRIVACY.
IF ANYBODY COULD IMAGINE HOW
BAD THE CRISIS HAS BEEN FOR THE
COVID-19 THING IMAGINE BEING
OUT THERE HOMELESS AND TRYING
TO DEAL WITH THAT AND NOT
HAVING ANYWHERE TO GO, JUST
OUT THERE WHERE EVERYBODY CAN
SEE YOU.
ANYWAY, NOT EVERYBODY GETS TO
HAVE PRIVACY.
IF YOU COULD HYPOTHETICALLY TRY
TO IMAGINE YOUR LIFE ABSOLUTELY
BEING IN NEED.
>> JERRY HOLMER, YOU ARE NEXT
BUT NOT PRESENT.
I WILL HOLD YOUR PLACE.
THEN WE HAVE MEGHAN [NULL].
WE WILL GO BACK TO YOU WHEN YOU
GET BACK HERE.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE NOT
PRESENT.
THE NEXT PERSON PRESENT IS TIA
SHANNON.
TIA?
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO MARIA AW.
>> THIS WOULD BE THE BEST
EXCLUSION FOR US.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE OPEN YOUR
HEART AND UNDERSTAND THE TIME
OF THE PANDEMIC, AT LEAST THE
END OF THE YEAR.
APPRECIATE THE TIME
>> THANK YOU.
AND JUST TO SAY IF YOU COME
BACK, I WILL HOLD YOUR PLACE
AND WE CAN GET YOUR COMMENT,
SO JUST KNOW THAT I HOPE TO
HEAR FROM YOU SOON.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ANN DUFFY
CURRENTLY NOT PRESENT.
SAME THING.
I WILL HOLD YOUR SPOT.
AND GUY RON WHO IS NOT PRESENT.
CHRISTINA SHIMIZU IS OUR NEXT
SPEAKER
>> HI, MY NAME IS CHRISTINA.
I AM JAPANESE-AMERICAN AND
WORK IN THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT.
I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS UNDER
ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ESPECIALLY
NOW IN THE MIDST OF THE
PANDEMIC AND AGAINST CDC
GUIDELINES.
LAST WEEK I WATCHED THEM
CRUELLY DESTROY THE ONLY
SHELTER AND POSSESSIONS OF THE
VULNERABLE.
IT IS INHUMANE AND I TURNING
PASSING OF THE BILL 119796.
THE CHRONIC AND INVESTMENT IN
THE STREETS.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS COMBATED
THE STIGMA OF RACISM AND WE ARE
LOOKING FOR JUSTICE FOR OUR
COMMUNITY AND FIGHT AGAINST
UNJUSTNESS OF THE HOMELESS AND
PROVIDE HOUSING SERVICES.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS FRANK AFIDO
WHO IT LOOKS LIKE ISN'T PRESENT
AND CARL NELSON WHO IS.
TAKE IT AWAY.
>> MY NAME IS CARL NELSON.
I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN
DISTRICT 4. I WANT TO SPEAK IN
SUPPORT OF 119796.
I AM IN SUPPORT OF IT.
WE KNOW THE SWEEPS WERE CRUEL,
EXPENSIVE AND MORE.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE LOSING
THEIR JOBSS IN THE TIME OF THE
PANDEMIC AND FACED WITH
ECONOMIC FACED WITH
INSECURITY.
PLEASE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE
BILL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS DON MAR.
>> CAN YOU HAAR ME?
>> YES.
>> OKAY.
MY NAME IS DON MAR.
I WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO
PARTICIPATED TODAY.
OBVIOUSLY A LOT OFFENSE PEOPLE
CARE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
I AM A PROPERTY OWNER IN THE
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT.
I OPPOSE 119796.
I SUPPORT REMOVING THE HOMELESS
ENCAMPMENTS THAT ARE UNSAFE AND
UNSANITARY.
WE HAVE PROPERTY DIRECTLY RIGHT
NEXT TO THE NAVIGATION CENTER
AT 12th AND WILLARD.
AT ONE POINT I HAD COUNTED 60
TENTS THERE.
DUE TO THE ILLEGAL DRUG
ACTIVITY IT IS A REALLY VITAL
SITUATION THERE.
WE HAVE HAD BURGLARIES, FIRES,
IT IS JUST THIS AND THAT.
AND THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY
MIND IF THAT --
>>
>>I am against the proposal.
This only kicks the can down
the road.
Half of the chronically
homeless are mentally ill and
or drug addicted.
The need to be addressed first
and most.
If you are worried help as I
am, allowing people to defecate
and shoot up on the sidewalks
will not improve anything for
anyone.
Imagine if this goes on for a
few years this is not a
solution.
Thank you.
>> Next, we will move forward
to him when.
>> Hello.
I operate a small is a job
public safety people live and
work AND SOMETHING THE AREA THE
DISTRICT IS A VIABLE COMMUNITY
WITH LANGUAGE AND ECONOMIC
BARRIER.
WE ARE TRYING TO LIVE AND MAKE
A LIVING IN THE AREA.
THE COMMITTEE WILL SAY WITH
DRUGS, COUNTERFEIT, DRUG
INJECTION I WONDER IF THE CITY
COUNCIL WHO IS APPOINTING THIS
BILL MEANT TO CAUSE A
VULNERABLE COMMUNITY AGAINST
ANOTHER VULNERABLE COMMUNITY OR
EVEN THIS BILL [ INDISCERNIBLE
] TO ALLOW THE HOMELESS TO
LIVE.
>> NEXT ARE JEFFREY GOLDE AND
GARY GRAY, NEITHER ARE PRESENT.
LESLIE GEORGE IS THE NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> HELLO.
I AM LESLIE GEORGE AND I LIVE
DOWNTOWN.
I AND MY DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS
DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE OR
HEALTHY TO WALK IN OUR OWN
NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE NEED TO FIND A REAL
PERMANENT AND HUMANE SOLUTION
TO OUR HOMELESS PROBLEM.
PERHAPS AS ONE PERSON
MENTIONED, PERMANENTLY [
INDISCERNIBLE ] UNDERUTILIZED
HOTELS AND MOTELS.
WE CANNOT PUT A BAND-AID ON
THIS SERIOUS SITUATION.
FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE AND
WORK DOWNTOWN AS WELL AS THOSE
WHO ARE HOMELESS.
I OPPOSE
>>NEXT UP MARIA MARIA.
>> WE CAN COME BACK MARIA IF
SHE IS PRESENT.
JESSICA IS NEXT WHO ALSO IS NOT
PRESENT AND CHRIS WHO ALSO WAS
NOT PRESENT.
SCOTT IS THE NEXT SPEAK.
>>HELLO I AM HERE ACCOUNTABLE
119796.
I ASKED WHERE ARE THE NEIGHBOR
SUPPOSED TO GO THERE ARE NO
OTHER OPTIONS.
YOU SHOULD FEEL SHAME FOR YOUR
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY THE.
THANK YOU PLEASE VOTE YES.
>> NEXT IS ANTHONY WHO IS ALSO
NOT PRESENT, SO VIA, NOT
PRESENT.
POLLYANNA WANG IS THE NEXT
SPEAKER AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A
TRANSLATOR SIGN UP.
>> I DO NOT NEED A TRANSLATOR.
SEEM, PROCEED WITH THE
AFTERNOON I AM A TEACHER
TEACHING AND SEATTLE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND A VISITOR OF
CHINATOWN COMMUNITY.
CHINATOWN IS AN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT IT IS A VIBRANT PILLAR
OF OUR TRINITY AND IT DESERVES
BASIC SAFETY SERVICES.
I FEEL -- FOR THE CITY TO ALLOW
CONTROL HOMES AND DESTROY
PLACES WE LOVE TO VISIT.
I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO VOTE NO
FOR CV 119 796 AND PROTECT
RESIDENCE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
VISITORS AND THE ELDERLY
POPULATION.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE NAOMI LOOKS LIKE
IS NOT PRESENT AND SUE YOUNG
PRESENT.
AMY NOT PRESENT, RUTH NOT
PRESENT, BLAKE PETERSON NOT
PRESENT, GUNNER NOT PRESENT.
THICK LONG IS THE NEXT SPEAKER.
>>CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> HELLO.
I GREW UP IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD
AND MY FAMILY CAME HERE AS
REFUGEES IN THE 80s I LIVE IN
CHINATOWN AND I WORK IN [
INDISCERNIBLE ] SERVING
COMMUNITIES I AM A SURVIVOR OF
SEXUAL ASSAULT, DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT CB 119796.
WE KNOW THE LARGEST POPULATION
OF THE HOMELESS PERSONS IN
WASHINGTON DATE IS VICTIMS OF
TIMNATH VIOLENCE ACCORDING TO
HUD.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
HOMELESSNESS ARE LIKELY TO
OCCUR TOGETHER AND MOTHERS WITH
CHILDREN EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS
ALSO EXTREMES VIOLENCE.
THE MORE THEY ARE DISPLACED.
I KNOW IT SEEMS LIKE A SOLUTION
TO SWEEP BUT IT IS NOT A LONG-
TERM SOLUTION.
WE NEED STABILITY NOT
REALIZATION AND THAT IS THE
ANSWER NOT SUITES.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT IS ALLIE ARNOLD WHO WAS
NOT PRESENT AND ZACHARY WHO IS
NOT PRESENT.
JASMINE SMITH IS OUR NEXT
SPEAKER.
>> HELLO.
MY NAME IS JASMINE I AM
ADDRESSING COUNSEL BILL 119796
AS A DISTRICT 7 COMMUNITY
MEMBER AND LOCAL EDUCATOR.
WE ARE IN A HOUSING PANDEMIC
CRISIS AND ECONOMIC CRISIS.
I AM PROUD OF THE PROTECTION
THAT HAS COME FROM THE CITY.
I HAVE BEEN AGHAST AT THE
HEARTLESS AND CRUEL WAYS THE
CITY HAS GONE TOWARDS EVICTION.
THEY WOULD ALLOCATED MUCH
BETTER TOWARD TINY HOMES,
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HYGIENE,
BASICALLY ANYTHING ELSE.
-- WITH OUR NEIGHBORS
DISTURBING.
PLEASE FOLLOW CDC
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CORE VALUES
THAT WE HAVE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
I IN GETTING NOTIFIED THAT THE
MAKO IS PRESENT.
D'AMICO.
>> HELLO.
I AM HERE.
>>PROCEED.
>> MY NAME IS ANTHONY D'AMICO I
AM A GRAD STUDENT AND TEACHER
HERE IN THE AUTO.
I AM SUPPORTING BILL 119796.
WASHINGTON STATE WILL FEEL THE
EFFECTS OF THIS CRISIS BADLY
FROM A HUMANITARIAN AND
FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE.
SOME OF US ARE UNABLE TO
EMPATHIZE, APPARENTLY, WE
CANNOT SEE HOW THESE SWEEPS ARE
BORN.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE OUR
COMPASSION AND HUMANITY IS.
DURING THIS TIME OUR CITY
EXACERBATES THE CURRENT PUBLIC
HEALTH CONCERNS DURING COVID-
19.
FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT
THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE AS A
COST A TON OF MONEY.
WHY DOES [ INDISCERNIBLE ]
>> NEXT IS RUTH DANNER.
>> HELLO.
I AM RUTH DANNER RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 7. AS TODAY'S PROBLEMS
ARE WITH ENCAMPMENTS, THE
IMPENDING ECONOMIC CRISIS THAT
FACES US WILL USHER IN A NEW
ERA OF HOMELESSNESS THAT MAKES
OUR CURRENT PROBLEM LOOK LIKE A
WALK IN THE PARK.
WE MUST PREPARE IN EARNEST NOW
TO PUT A SCALABLE PLAN IN PLACE
WHILE NUMBERS ARE STILL
RELATIVELY LOW.
CB 11 97 96 ATTEMPTS TO
LEGITIMIZE FOUR FOOT WIDE
SIDEWALKS THAT ARE EFFICIENT TO
ACCOMMODATE SAFE SIX FOOT
DISTANCE WHEN NOTHING LESS THAN
10 FEET WILL DO FOR PASSAGE
WHICH WAYS THROUGH THE CAMPUS.
WE MUST TAKE ACTION NOW TO
PROVIDE THE OTHER
ACCOMMODATIONS CALLED FOR.
>> NEXT IS DAVID LLOYD.
>>I AM DAVID LLOYD.
I LIVE JUST NORTH OF PIONEER
SQUARE.
I AM CALLING TO OPPOSE CB
119796.
THERE IS AN ENCAMPMENT OUTSIDE
MY BUILDING THAT IS GROWING BY
THE DAY.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW BAD THIS
WILL GET IF LEFT ALONE UNTIL
2021.
MY WIFE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE
LEAVING THE BUILDING ALONE AND
THE LANDLORD CLOSED ONE OF OUR
EXIT DUE TO THE INABILITY OR
THE UNWILLINGNESS TO CLEAN UP
THE HUMAN EXCREMENT.
I PREDICT THE FAIRY WALKWAY
WILL BECOME VIRTUALLY
IMPASSABLE.
HOW ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO
MAINTAIN SIX FOOT DISTANCE WHEN
ONLY FOUR FEET OF SIDEWALK IS
INCLUDED IN THE BILL.
THERE IS NOTHING SAFE ABOUT
THESE ENCAMPMENTS.
PLEASE ALLOW THE NAVIGATION
TEAM TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR
JOB.
>> THANK YOU.
THAT IS OUR LAST COMMENTOR.
THERE ARE NO MORE PRESENT
PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO
COMMENT.
I WILL NOW END PUBLIC COMMENT
AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
AGENDA ITEM.
WITH THAT I WILL BEGIN THE
DISCUSSION OF COUNSEL BILL
119796.
I JUST WANT TO READ A COUPLE OF
REMARKS AT THE BEGINNING AND
THEN HANDED OVER FIRST TWO
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES TO SPEAK
TO THIS BILL.
I WANT TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF
THE CONVERSATION.
A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS ARE
HERE AND WILL BE DISCUSSING
COUNSEL BILL 119796 RELATING TO
THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH
THE NAVIGATION TEAM CAN ENGAGE
IN THE REMOVAL OF ENCAMPMENTS
DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
WE WILL HEAR FROM TWO PANELS.
THE FIRST WILL BE COMPOSED OF
JESSICA QUAN, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR ALLISON I GREG FROM
THE SEATTLE COALITION OF
HOMELESSNESS.
TARYN MOSS, ELIZABETH AGEE FROM
INTERNATIONAL TRINITY HEALTH
SERVICES AND ESTHER LUCERO FROM
THE SEATTLE INDIAN HEALTH BOARD
AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LISA
HOWARD.
OUR SECOND PANEL IS GOING TO BE
COMPOSED OF DEPUTY MAYOR
MICHAEL PHON AND CASEY SIX
KILLER.
CHIEF OF POLICE CARBON BEST AND
SEATTLE FIRE CHIEF SCOGGINS AS
WELL AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
HEALTH PATTY HAYES.
I WANT TO PREFACE THE
CONVERSATION BY ACKNOWLEDGING
AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR
DELIBERATIONS AS A COUNSEL,
THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE PANELS
AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME
DIVERGENT VIEWS ON THE ISSUES
WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT THIS
LEGISLATION AND ISSUES
SURROUNDING THIS AND THE
NAVIGATION TEAM.
OUR DISCUSSION WILL TOUCH ON
TOPICS THAT ARE SENSITIVE AND
HAVE REAL IMPLICATIONS.
I WANT ALL OF OUR PRESENTERS
TODAY TO HONESTLY CONVEY THEIR
POSITION ON THIS PROPOSED
LEGISLATION.
I WANT THEM TO BRING THEIR
EXPERTISE, LIFE EXPERIENCE AND
BACKGROUND ON HOW THEY FORM
THESE DECISIONS.
I ASK THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE
COUNCIL AND ALL OF OUR GUEST
ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION
RESPECTFULLY.
I ASKED THAT ALL OF THE PANELS
TODAY AT THE END OF THE
DISCUSSION ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE
HAVE A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC
SERVICE AND BEFORE ENGAGING IN
A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION WE
STIPULATE AT THE TOP THAT THE
SHARED COMMON COMMITMENTS CAN
HELP US MOVE FORWARD TO MAKE
PROGRESS ON THE ISSUES THAT WE
ALL SEE EVERY DAY AND THE
IMPACTS THAT COVID HAS HAD ON
THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN
OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE EXPENSING
HOMELESSNESS AND WHO THE CITY
OF SEATTLE IS ONE OF THE MOST
GENEROUS PROVIDERS FOR IN THE
REGION AND WE CAN ALWAYS DO
MORE TO EXPAND ON THAT WORK.
WE ARE BEGINNING FROM A POINT
WHERE ALL OF US WANT TO MAKE
PROGRESS.
WITH THAT AND LAYING THE
INITIAL GROUND RULES, I DO WANT
TO GIVE COUNCILMEMBER MORALEZ
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO HER
LEGISLATION IN ADVANCE OF THE
FIRST PANEL.
THEN I WILL INTRODUCE THE FIRST
PANEL AND WE WILL TAKE THAT
DISCUSSION AWAY.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, THE
FLOOR IS YOURS.
>>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT.
I WANT TO START TODAY BY
REMINDING EVERYONE HERE AND
EVERYONE WHO CALLED IN AND
EVERYONE WHO IS LISTENING THAT
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN
LIVES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT DATA
POINTS OR WIDGETS, THESE ARE
PEOPLE, THESE ARE PEOPLE'S
CHILDREN AND CHANCES ARE YOU
KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS
EXPERIENCED OR WILL EXPERIENCE
HOMELESSNESS.
I WANT YOU TO KEEP THAT IN MIND
AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER CRITICAL
RUSSIAN ABOUT CITY POLICY.
WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC
HEALTH RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS
GIVEN THE RISK OF COMMUNITY
SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS?
CDC GUIDANCE ON HOMELESSNESS
FROM A MEMO DATED MAY 10 STATES
THAT HOUSING OPTIONS THAT HAVE
INDIVIDUAL ROOMS SUCH AS HOTELS
AND MOTELS AND SEPARATE
BATHROOMS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
FOR OVERFLOW QUARANTINE OR
PROTECTED HOUSING SITES.
IF INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS ARE NOT
AVAILABLE, ALLOW PEOPLE WHO ARE
LIVING AT THE SHELTER OR
ENCAMPMENTS TO REMAIN WHERE
THEY ARE.
ENCAMPMENTS CAN CAUSE PEOPLE TO
DISPERSE THROUGHOUT THE
COMMUNITY AND BREAK CONNECTIONS
WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS.
THIS INCREASES THE POTENTIAL
FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPREAD.
IT IS CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT
CLEARLY OUT OF THE WOODS WHEN
IT COMES TO THE CORONAVIRUS.
WE ARE NOT MEETING OUR TARGET
FOR DECREASING THE NUMBER OF
CASES OR FOR REDUCING COMMUNITY
SPREAD IN KING COUNTY AND THAT
IS AS OF TODAY'S UPDATE FROM
THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
OUR CITY CHARTER PROVIDES THAT
WE ARE HERE TO PERFECT PROTECT
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EVERY
PERSON IN THE CITY.
WE ALL SWORE, COUNCIL MEMBERS,
TO UPHOLD THAT COMMITMENT, NOT
FOR SOME PEOPLE OR JUST FOR
THOSE WHO AGREE WITH US, OR FOR
THOSE WHO HAVE THE TIME AND
RESOURCES TO CALL IN AND MAKE
THEIR VOICES HEARD.
OUR OBLIGATION IS TO PROTECT
THE HEALTH OF EVERYONE IN
SEATTLE INCLUDING, AND
ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE
LIVING IN DESPERATE SITUATIONS.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS THE
CITY ARE FRUSTRATED BY OUR
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS AND HAVE
BEEN FOR SOME TIME.
MY OFFICE HAD A HALF DOZEN
COMMUNITY MEETINGS IN THE
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT LAST WEEK.
I KNOW THERE IS DEEP
FRUSTRATION.
THERE IS ALSO, AS MANY HAVE
SAID, AND EAGERNESS TO SEE REAL
SOLUTIONS FOR OUR HOMELESS
NEIGHBORS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE
SOME ENCAMPMENTS WHERE THERE IS
DRUG USE, LITTER AND VIOLENCE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE
TIMES WHERE PEOPLE NEED TO BE
MOVED.
I REJECT THE PREMISE THAT THE
PRESENCE OF SOME CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY MEANS THE ENTIRE
HOMELESS POPULATION IS
CRIMINAL.
I WANT TO REMIND THE BROADER
SEATTLE COMMUNITY THAT
ENCAMPMENT REMOVALS DO NOT
NECESSARILY MEAN THAT PEOPLE
ARE BEING HOUSED OR SHELTERED.
VERY OFTEN IT MEANS PEOPLE ARE
BEING PUSHED FROM ONE PLACE TO
ANOTHER.
WE ARE ALL FRUSTRATED BY THE
RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS,
ESPECIALLY DURING THIS
PANDEMIC.
WE ARE FAILING AND WE THINK
REMOVING PEOPLE, VULNERABLE
PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN WILL
SOLVE THE ISSUE.
AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO SOLVE THE
HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH
PROBLEM, NOT MOVE IT FROM ONE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO ANOTHER.
WHEN A DEADLY INFECTIOUS
DISEASE IS SPREADING IN OUR
TOWN, MOVING PEOPLE JUST MEANS
THEY MOVED TO MAGNOLIA OR
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT AND THAT PUTS ANOTHER
NEIGHBORHOOD AT RISK FOR
EXPOSURE TO CORONAVIRUS WITHOUT
SOLVING A PROBLEM THAT FELLOW
HUMAN BEINGS ARE LIVING ON THE
STREET WITHOUT THE SUPPORT THAT
THEY NEED.
IT IS TIME FOR US TO STOP
TREATING HOMELESSNESS LIKE A
CRIME PROBLEM AND START
TREATING IT LIKE THE PUBLIC
HEALTH CRISIS THAT IT IS.
THAT MEANS WE NEED MORE
SANITATION AND HYGIENE
SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT FOR
THOSE WITH BEHAVIORAL NEEDS AND
IN THE SHORT TERM WE NEED
INDIVIDUAL HOUSING LIKE HOTELS,
MOTELS, BOARDROOMS OR SANCTION
ENCAMPMENTS THAT INCLUDE SOCIAL
SERVICES.
IN THE LONG RUN IT MEANS WE
NEED MORE HOUSING.
THAT IS HOW WE SOLVE THE
HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM.
PEOPLE DON'T CHOOSE TO LIVE ON
THE STREETS.
DATA SHOWS THAT WE ARE GIVEN
THE OPTION OF MOVING INTO A
HOUSING UNIT PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE
THAT.
WHEN I OBSERVED THE KING STREET
ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL LAST WEEK I
SPOKE WITH JACOB.
HE TOLD ME HE HAS BEEN MOVED
MANY TIMES.
THE FOLKS WERE THERE TO TAKE
HIS NAME AND INFORMATION BUT
HOUSING NEVER MATERIALIZED.
I ASKED JACOB AND HIS
GIRLFRIEND IF THEY WOULD ACCEPT
A HOTEL ROOM IF THAT WAS
AVAILABLE.
IN A HEART BEAT HE SAID.
THIS IS OUR QUESTION TODAY,
WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC
HEALTH RESPONSE?
THIS STRATEGY CANNOT BE MERELY
TO MOVE PEOPLE FROM ONE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO ANOTHER.
OUR HOMELESS POPULATION
DESERVES BETTER AND SO DO THE
NEIGHBORS WHOSE COMMUNITY IS
IMPACTED BY THIS.
THE BILL WE ARE DISCUSSING
TODAY TO QUANTIFY THE POLICY
NOT TO REMOVE ENCAMPMENTS
DURING THE CORONAVIRUS IN ORDER
TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH.
THAT IS A DIRECTIVE ISSUED BY
THE MAYOR ON MARCH 17.
WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH
TO PUT PEN TO PAPER THE REQUEST
TO MAKE A MINISTRY OF CHANGES
WENT UNANSWERED.
FOR THE SAKE OF TAMPING DOWN
THIS INFORMATION AND FEAR
MONGERING THAT HAS BEEN GOING
ON I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO
ADDRESS WITH THIS BILL WILL NOT
DO.
THIS BILL DOES NOT LIMIT
PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS ABILITY
TO PRESS CHARGES FOR TRESPASS.
THIS BILL DOES NOT ALLOW
CAMPING IN ANY PLACE, PUBLIC
PLACE IN THE CITY, THAT
DECISION WAS MADE BY THE NINTH
CIRCUIT COURT WHEN IT RULED IN
THE BOISE CASE AND ACCORDING TO
THAT DECISION AS LONG AS THERE
IS NO OPTION THE GOVERNMENT
CANNOT COME TO LIFE IN DIGIT
HOMELESS PEOPLE FOR SLEEPING
OUTDOORS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY ON
THE FALSE PREMISE THAT THEY HAD
úA CHOICE IN THE MATTER.
THE COURT SAID IT WAS CRUEL AND
UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT AND A FORCED
RULES TO STOP HOMELESS PEOPLE
FROM CAMPING IN PUBLIC PLACES
WHEN THEY HAVE NO PLACE ELSE TO
GO.
DESPITE SOME TWEETS INDICATING
THAT CAMPING IN PUBLIC PLACES
IS ILLEGAL IN SEATTLE, THE
TRUTH IS THE NINTH CIRCUIT
RULED CRIMINALIZING
HOMELESSNESS IS CRUEL AND
UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.
AND THIS BILL DOES NOT LIMIT
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY
TO INVESTIGATE CRIME, NOR DOES
IT LIMIT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S
ABILITY TO RESPOND TO FIRE.
WHAT THIS BILL DOES DO IS MAKE
THE CITY TRUE TO ITS WORD BY
FORMALIZING THE MAYOR'S
DIRECTIVE.
IT STRENGTHENS POLICY BY
PUTTING IT THROUGH A PUBLIC
HEALTH LENS, PUSHING THE CITY
TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES ON
PROVIDING ADEQUATE SHELTER.
OVER 100 HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND
HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS, MANY
OF THEM WORK WITH -- THEY
ENSURE THAT CITY DOLLARS ARE
NOT SPENT ON THE TOOL THAT
SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK, PUSHING
PEOPLE FROM ONE NEIGHBORHOOD TO
ANOTHER.
IT SHIFTS THE FOCUS OF THE
NAVIGATION TEAMS WORK FROM
REMOVAL TOWARD ACTUAL
NAVIGATION PROVIDING OUTREACH,
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO SERVICES
AND MAKING REFERRALS TO
ADEQUATE SHELTER.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT
EVERYBODY TODAY HAS SAID THEY
WANT.
I WANT TO THANK CHIEF SCOGGINS
FOR THEIR WORK WE VALUE THEM
KEEPING US SAFE DURING THIS
CRISIS.
FRANKLY, I THINK IT IS CYNICAL
TO PLAY ON PEOPLE'S FEARS
DURING THIS CRISIS.
I WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE HAD
MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR
THOROUGH LAW DEPARTMENT AND WE
ARE CONFIDENT THIS BILL WILL
NOT INTERFERE WITH YOUR ABILITY
TO DO YOUR WORK.
I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL
STAFF TICKLY JEFF SIMS WHO
WORKED REALLY HARD ON THIS.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW
BABY.
I WANT TO THANK THE CENTRAL
STUFF FOR PROVIDING GUIDANCE
WITH THIS BUSY CITY COUNCIL.
WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR THE
CITY WORKERS AND WE APPRECIATE
ALL THEY DO TO SUPPORT OUR
OFFICES.
I ALSO WANT TO THINK MY OWN
STAFF AND I WANT TO THINK
COUNCILMEMBER 14 FOR HER
CONTRIBUTIONS.
SHE HAS A FEW AMENDMENTS THAT
WE WILL CONSIDER TODAY AND I
THINK THEY WILL STRENGTHEN THE
BILL.
THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY IS
I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN WORK
TOGETHER TO SOLVE HOMELESSNESS,
BUT WE CANNOT IGNORE THE ISSUES
FACING US RIGHT NOW.
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT.
WE CAN AND WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE
HOUSING AND WE SHOULD MAKE SURE
THAT FOLKS, ESPECIALLY DURING
THE EMERGENCY HAVE WHAT THEY
NEED TO BE SAFE.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO
ARE A PART OF THE DISCUSSION
AND IT GIVES ME HOPE THAT
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE
EXECUTIVE APARTMENT AND
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, ADVOCATES,
NEIGHBORS, HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS
CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THIS
CRISIS.
WE NEED TO MOVE PAST WHAT HAS
NOT WORKED, EMBRACE WHAT HAS
AND DO RIGHT.
I LOOK OVER TO OUR DISCUSSION
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES.
I HAD MISSPOKEN EARLIER , OUR
FIRST PRESENTATION IS OUR PANEL
WITH THE DEPUTY MAYORS, THE
CHIEFS AND DIRECTOR HAYES.
WE WILL MOVE TO THAT PANEL
VERSE.
I WANT TO WELCOME DEPUTY MAYOR
MICHAEL PHON AND DEPUTY MAYOR
CASEY SIX KILLER, SEATTLE
POLICE CHIEF CARMEN BEST AND
FIRE CHIEF HAROLD SCOGGINS AS
WELL AS DIRECTOR PUBLIC HEALTH
PATTY HAYES.
I AM GOING TO ASK EACH MEMBER
OF THE PANEL TO GO AHEAD AND
GIVE OPENING REMARKS.
YOU CAN DEFER THE OPENING
REMARKS FOR QUESTIONS IF YOU
WOULD LIKE TO.
I WILL INVITE THAT IF THAT IS
SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO.
THEN WE WILL PROCEED TO
QUESTION AND ANSWER WITH THIS
PANEL BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE
PANEL LATER THIS AFTERNOON.
I WOULD ASK, I AM SURE THAT A
LOT OF US HAVE A LOT OF
QUESTIONS.
IF WE COULD RESERVE THE BALANCE
OF THIS CONVERSATION FOR AN
EXCHANGE OF QUESTIONS, THAT
WOULD BE THE MOST PRODUCTIVE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU
HAVE A CHANCE TO PROVIDE
OPENING STATEMENTS SO I WILL
TURN IT OVER FIRST TWO DEPUTY
MAYOR PHON AND THEN I THINK I
WILL CALL EACH CHANNEL
INDIVIDUALLY.
IF WE WERE AT THE TABLE WE
WOULD GO DOWN THE LINE, IN ZOOM
WORLD IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO
CALL PEOPLE INDIVIDUALLY.
WE WILL START WITH DEPUTY MAYOR
PHON AND THEN [ INDISCERNIBLE
], CHIEF SCOGGINS AND DIRECTOR
HAYES.
>>GOOD AFTERNOON.
COUNCIL MEMBERS THANK YOU FOR
GIVING THE EXECUTIVES AN
OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN YOU THIS
AFTERNOON IN DISCUSSION ABOUT
COUNSEL BILL 119796.
I DO WANT TO START BY SAYING I
CAN APPRECIATE THE COUNCILS
DESIRE AND URGENCY TO FIND
STRATEGIES AND A URGES TO
MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF COVID-19
ON PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
IT IS THE SAME DESIRE AND
URGENCY THAT HAS LED THE MAYOR
TO DEPLOY MORE TOWARDS HOMELESS
RESPONSE MORE THAN ANY OTHER IN
THE PORTFOLIO.
PUTTING US ON A CURRENT
TRAJECTORY A SPENDING $140
MILLION IN 2020 ALONE ON
HOMELESSNESS.
THAT IS $44 MILLION MORE THAN
THE CITY SPENDS IN 2019 AND
ALMOST $100 MILLION MORE IN
2017.
I SAY THIS BECAUSE COVID-19 HIT
THE REGION AND WE DEPLOYED
UNPRECEDENTED RESOURCES WORKING
WITH THE COUNTY, TO HELP
SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WAS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
EVEN AS WE ARE MAKING TOUGH
DECISIONS REGARDING OUR $300
MILLION BUDGET, I KNOW YOU HAVE
HEARD IN SOME DETAIL, WE WILL
STILL BE DEPLOYING
APPROXIMATELY 40 MILLION
DOLLARS ADDITIONAL TO
INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS FOR A NEW SHELTER,
SAFER 24/7 PLACES TO BE, MEALS,
AND HYGIENE SERVICES.
WE ARE WORKING DAILY WITH KING
COUNTY AND PUBLIC HEALTH FOR
TESTING.
RESOURCES FROM THE SHELTERS
LIKE PPE AND ACCESS TO
ISOLATION AND WARRANTING SITES
INCLUDING THE ONES THAT HAVE
BEEN SET UP IN THE COUNTY.
SOON, WE WILL BRING TO YOU OUR
2020 BUDGET PLAN IN JUNE.
WE WILL BE MAKING SOME SERIOUS
AND DIFFICULT CHOICES.
WE WILL OUTLINE OUR PLAN TO USE
STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES ON
THE GREATEST NEEDS IN OUR
COMMUNITY INCLUDING
HOMELESSNESS.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT
TODAY'S BILL ISN'T THE BEST
REPROACH TO HELPING UNSHELTERED
INDIVIDUALS MEET THEIR NEEDS.
IN FACT, WE BELIEVE STRONGLY
THAT THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME IF
PASSED, IT WILL HAVE A
DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON PUBLIC
HEALTH AND SAFETY.
NOT ONLY IN THE PEOPLE IN THE
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY THAT HAVE
EXTREME CHALLENGES, BUT ALSO
FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITHIN
THOSE ENCAMPMENTS THEMSELVES.
IN OUR PRESENTATION YOU WILL
HEAR FROM CHIEF BEST, CHIEF
SCOGGINS AND DEPUTY MAYOR SIX
KILLER HOW THIS JEOPARDIZES THE
CITY'S ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY
RESPOND TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND
SAFETY ISSUES.
WE HOPE IN THIS DISCUSSION WE
CAN DESCRIBE SOME OF WHAT I
BELIEVE ARE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY NOT HAVE
BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE INITIAL
DRAFTING OF THE BILL.
SIMPLY PUT, IT IS HARD TO
IMAGINE THAT THE -- HAS BEEN TO
PROHIBIT THE CITY AND
POTENTIALLY REMOVING THE
ENCAMPMENT IN THE PRESENCE OF A
CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID OR
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE IS PRESENT
TO REDUCE FURTHER RISK OF
EXPOSURE.
OR THAT THE INTENT WAS TO
EFFECTIVELY STOP THE CITY FROM
ADDRESSING UNAUTHORIZED
ENCAMPMENTS THAT PRESENT
PERSISTENT DANGEROUS CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY.
OR TWO IN OVERTLY SANCTION
ENCAMPMENTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
SUCH AS PARKS AND GREEN SPACES
IN CONFLICT WITH NUMEROUS RULES
AND CODE ELEMENTS, OR TO PUT AT
RISK OUR FIRST RESPONDERS,
FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE
OFFICERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY
HEIGHTENING THEIR RISK AS THEY
RESPOND TO 911 CALLS.
NOR CAN I IMAGINE THAT THE
INTENT WAS TO INTRODUCE SUCH A
CONSEQUENTIAL WILL ON MAY 18
AND THEN HAVE A VOTED NINE DAYS
LATER WITH LITTLE OPPORTUNITY
FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OR
COMMENT.
WE HAVE NOW SEEN AND HEARD FROM
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OPPOSING
THIS BILL THROUGH SIGNING OF
PETITIONS, LETTERS AND EMAILS
THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
WE URGE THE COUNCIL TO OPPOSE
CB 119796.
THERE IS NO SIMPLE ANSWER AND
SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS, THERE
IS NO TWO-PAGE BILL THAT CAN
CAPTURE THE NUANCES AND
SUBSTITUTE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL
JUDGMENT OF POLICE AND
FIREFIGHTERS, OUTREACH WORKERS,
HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS,
RESPONDING TO COMPLEX ISSUES
THAT PRESENT THEMSELVES AND
SOME --.
I AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS, COUNCILMEMBER MORALES WE
ARE READY AND WILLING TO WORK
WITH THE COUNCIL TO MEET A
SHARED SET OF POLICIES AROUND
HOMELESSNESS.
THIS BILL IS NOT GOING TO MOVE
US FORWARD.
I THINK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
FOR OPENING REMARKS.
WITH THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TURN
IT OVER TO DEPUTY SIX KILLER,
CHIEF BEST AND CHIEF SCOGGINS.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY BECAUSE I
DON'T KNOW IF I MADE THIS
CLEAR, IF YOU COULD HOLD YOUR
QUESTIONS UNTIL THE CONCLUSION
OF ALL PRESENTATIONS, THAT
WOULD BE GREAT.
DEPUTY SIX KILLER YOU ARE
RECOGNIZED.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
I'M GOING TO BEGIN MY COMMENTS
BY GROUNDING US IN A FEW FACTS.
FIRST, THREE MONTHS AGO WE
FOUND OURSELVES AT THE
FOREFRONT OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
WITH THE COUNCIL SUPPORT THE
MAYOR ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
FOCUSING THE CITY'S ATTENTION
ON COVID-19PREVENTION AND
RESPONSE EFFORTS.
SECOND, WITH THE THREAT OF AN
OUTBREAK AMONG THE 11,000
INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS ACROSS THE REGION
WE KNEW WE HAD TO ACT URGENTLY
AND EXECUTE A PLAN IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH KING COUNTY.
TO STAND UP IN THE INTENSIFY
SHELTERS.
TO STAND UP IN RECOVERY
FACILITIES TO REDUCE RESOURCES
ONLINE, TO EXPAND ACCESS TO
HYGIENE FACILITIES AND
IMPORTANTLY PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY
AND PROVIDE CONTRACT SO THAT
CITY DOLLARS CAN CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES IN
SUPPORT OF PROVIDER OPERATIONS
WHETHER OR NOT THAT INDIVIDUAL
IS IN SEATTLE OR NOT.
IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING DURING
THIS TIME WE DEPLOYED MEASURES
AND INVESTMENTS TO KEEP AS MANY
PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE IN THEIR
HOMES.
THIRD, THE MAYOR DIRECTED THE
NAVIGATION TEAM TO TEMPORARILY
SUSPEND NORMAL OPERATIONS AND
REFOCUS ON DISEASE AWARENESS
AND MITIGATION EFFORTS.
SINCE EARLY MARCH THE
NAVIGATION TEAM HAS BEEN ONE OF
THE OUTREACH TEAMS IN THE
FIELD.
IN FACT MANY PROVIDERS HAVE
CLOSED THEIR DOORS OR
SIGNIFICANTLY CURTAILED
SERVICES THE NAVIGATION TEAM IS
ACTING AS THE ONLY RESOURCE
AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2019
THE NAVIGATION TEAM CONDUCTED
303 REMOVALS ACROSS ALL REMOVAL
TYPES.
SINCE MARCH THE NAVIGATION TEAM
HAS CONDUCTED FOR TO.
THE NAVIGATION TEAM SEES FIRST
HAND MANY OF THE INHUMANE AND
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT SOME
ENCAMPMENTS POSE TO BOTH THE
RESIDENCE AND THE COMMUNITY.
AS WE STRUGGLE WITH STOPPING
THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN THE
CITY, THE CITY ALSO BEARS
RESPONSIBILITY TO HANDLE PUBLIC
SAFETY UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
CHIEF BAST AND CHIEF SCOGGINS.
TO MOVE INDIVIDUALS TO SAFER
PLACES.
IT IS ALSO THE CITY'S RESPONSE
REALLY NEED TO ENSURE
ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC RIGHT
OF WAYS STREETS, SIDEWALKS,
DRIVEWAYS, ALLOYS AND ACCESS TO
BUSINESSES.
DURING THIS TIME WE HAVE GIVEN
A 2500 HYGIENE KITS, WE HAVE
PROVIDED HEPATITIS A -- AND
NINE MEALS COMPLETED 400
GARBAGE AND WASTE REMOVAL
ACTIVITIES.
AND REFERRED 300 INDIVIDUALS IN
TWO SHELTER.
THESE EFFORTS NEEDED BY SUPPORT
AND GUIDANCE IN SEATTLE COUNTY
HAVE BEEN A SUCCESS IN
PROTECTING SOME OF OUR MOST
VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS.
WHILE 20% OF ALL COVID-19 CASES
IN THE REGION ARE ASSOCIATED
WITH LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES,
ROUGHLY 3% OF CASES INVOLVE
INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
WE BELIEVE THE MEASURES WE HAVE
TAKEN IN SEATTLE HAVE SAVED
LIVES INCLUDING IN OUR
SHELTERS.
THAT IS WHY SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY ARE LOOKED TO ACROSS THE
COUNTRY AS A MODEL FOR HOW TO
QUICKLY SCALE UP A DIVERSE
RANGE OF HOUSING AND RELATED
SUPPORT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD
OF COVID-19 AMONG INDIVIDUALS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THIS IS NOT TO SUGGEST THAT WE
HAVE DONE ALL WE CAN OR SHOULD
DO, FAR FROM IT.
UNTIL THERE IS A VACCINE WE
WILL BE WORKING EVERY DAY TO
PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE.
MUCH OF OUR WORK IS DONE
KNOWING WE ARE FACING A $300
MILLION GAP IN OUR BUDGET.
WE WILL PRIORITIZE OUR WORK TO
HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
LASTLY I WANT TO ADDRESS THE
RECENT REMOVALS OF ENCAMPMENTS
THAT PRESENTED EXTREME
CIRCUMSTANCES.
FIRST FOR CONTACTS.
FIRST, EACH REMOVAL WAS
PRECEDED BY WEEKS OF ENGAGEMENT
BY THE NAVIGATION TEAM TO
CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH
SERVICES AND OFFER REFERRALS
AND SHELTER UNITS.
DESPITE WEEKS OF ENGAGEMENT
THERE CONTINUE TO BE A RISK FOR
INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITHIN THE
ENCAMPMENTS IN THE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITY.
THERE, THE NAVIGATION TEAM WORK
RESULTED IN REFERRING 29 PEOPLE
IN TWO SHELTER LEADING UP TO
THE REMOVAL AND REFERRING
ADDITIONAL EIGHT PEOPLE IN THE
SHELTER ON THE DAY OF THE
REMOVAL.
AT THE CID, LITTLE SAIGON
DESPITE ENGAGEMENT THERE
CONTINUES TO BE SERIOUS SAFETY
CONCERNS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING
IN THOSE ENCAMPMENTS IN THE
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
THE NAVIGATION TEAM WORK
RESULTED REFERRING 88 PEOPLE
LEADING UP TO THE REMOVALS INTO
SHELTER AND ADDITIONAL 25
INDIVIDUALS INTO SHELTER ON THE
DAY OF BOTH REMOVALS.
IMPORTANTLY, MOBILE, MEDICAL
AND STREET MEDICAL TEAMS WERE
ENGAGED IN BOTH ENCAMPMENTS TO
SCREEN FOR COVID-19, CONDUCT
TESTING WHEN NECESSARY AND
ESTABLISH CONTACT TRACING
CAPABILITIES.
THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE
ENCAMPMENTS AND THE DANGERS
THEY POSE TO THE INDIVIDUALS
LIVING WITHIN THEM NEED TO BE
ADDRESSED.
WITH THE LEGISLATION BEING
CONSIDERED TODAY WOULD LIMIT
OUR ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE
BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE
HAVE.
THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN I WILL
TURN IT OVER TO CHIEF BAST.
>>THANK YOU SO MUCH DEPUTY
MAYOR.
TO MAKE SURE WE ARE STICKING TO
THE RULES.
THE CHAIR WILL HANDED OVER TO
CHIEF BEST.
>>YOU ARE RIGHT.
>>THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER.
GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIRMAN LEWIS
AND ALL OF THE OTHER COUNCIL
MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE
FOR THE SELECT COMMITTEE
HEARING.
I WANT TO FIRST TAKE A MOMENT.
I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE TOPIC, I
CANNOT AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN
WOMAN AND SEATTLE POLICE CHIEF
BE IN A PUBLIC MEETING LIKE
THIS AND NOT MENTION THE TRAGIC
MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD THAT
OCCURRED IN MINNEAPOLIS ON
MONDAY.
I AM TRULY SADDENED AND ANGRY.
BEING A POLICE OFFICER IS ABOUT
SERVICE AND PROTECTING THE
SANCTITY OF LIFE.
ALL OF POLICING NEEDS TO
CONTINUE THE COMMITMENT TO
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND
TRUST WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES,
ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY OUR
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO HAVE
EXPERIENCED SO MUCH TRAUMA IN
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
THAT INCLUDES HOLDING OURSELVES
ACCOUNTABLE.
MY THOUGHTS AND MY PRAYERS ARE
WITH THE FAMILY.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A
MOMENT TO SAY THOSE FEW WORDS.
BACK TO THE SUBJECT AT HAND
ABOUT THE NAVIGATION TEAM.
AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS
ONE PART OF HUMAN SERVICES
NAVIGATION TEAM.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE EIGHT
OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO ASSIST.
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
KNOWS VERY WELL THAT POLICE
ACTIONS DO NOT RESOLVE ISSUES
AROUND HOMELESSNESS AND
HOUSING.
RATHER, THE OFFICERS ARE PART
OF THE NAVIGATION TEAM BECAUSE
OF THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE STRONG
CONNECTIONS THROUGH THREE KEY
AREAS, FIRST AND FOREMOST
RELENTLESS OUTREACH.
SECOND, PROVIDING SECURITY FOR
THOSE SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE
ON THE FRONT LINES EVERY SINGLE
DAY AND THE THIRD ADDRESSING
RESPONSIBILITIES GIVEN TO US BY
ACID . AND PARKS OF
OBSTRUCTIONS AND HAZARDS ON
PUBLIC SIDEWALKS.
AS THE CHIEF OF POLICE THIS IS
MY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TO
ENSURE AND MAINTAIN THE PEACE
AND ORDER OF THE CITY.
RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR SERVICE
AND INVESTIGATIONS, OFFICERS
AND DETECTIVES HAVE BECOME
AWARE OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES
AND ALMOST EVERY MAJOR
ENCAMPMENT THAT HAS BEEN
ADDRESSED BY THE NAVIGATION
TEAM.
I WANT TO QUICKLY TOUCH ON SOME
OF THE MOST ILLUSTRATIVE
INCIDENTS.
MOST THE PORTLY, BEING
HOMELESS, BEING MENTALLY ILL,
BATTLING ADDICTION, FIGHTING
POVERTY, NONE OF THIS IS A
CRIME, AND WE WILL NOT
CRIMINALIZE THE HOMELESS.
WE WILL NOT CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE
LIVING IN ENCAMPMENTS, THEY ARE
NOT CRIMINALS.
THEY ARE HONORABLE IN MANY WAYS
AND THEY NEED HELP.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO PREY ON
THEM AND EXPLOIT THEIR
SITUATION FOR THEIR OWN GAIN
AND TO THE DETRIMENT OF EVERY
SINGLE PERSON IN THIS
COMMUNITY.
A FEW OF THE INCIDENTS THAT I
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION, IN 2017, THE
NAVIGATION TEAM CLEANED THE
ENCAMPMENT THAT WAS AT AIRPORT
WAY SOUTH.
THIS WAS DONE AFTER TWO
RESIDENTS THAT WERE ARRESTED
FOR OPERATING A CHILD SEX
TRAFFICKING RING WITH SEVERAL
RESIDENTS IN THE AREA CALLING
THE POLICE AND TELLING US THERE
WERE X GIRLS INVOLVE THE
YOUNGEST WAS 13.
IN 2018 TASK FORCE WORKS ON A
DRUG TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION
INVOLVING SILVER ENCAMPMENTS.
THEY FOUND AN OPERATION
SUPPLYING HEROINE -- HEROIN,
METH, CRACK ALONG WITH CASH AND
WEAPONS.
THE SUSPECTS WERE RESIDENCE.
THEY WERE NOT HOMELESS, THEY
WERE USING THE ENCAMPMENT AS
COVER TO MAINTAIN THEIR ILLICIT
AND CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES.
JUST ONE YEAR AGO IN MAY,
OFFICERS SEIZED OVER $20,000 IN
CASH.
A POUND OF CRACK COCAINE,
HEROIN, METH, PILLS, FIREARMS,
KNIVES, MACHETES, AND STOLEN
PROPERTY IN PREDATORY DRUG
DEALING AND PROPERTY THEFT IN
ENCAMPMENTS IN PIONEER SQUARE
AND IN CHINATOWN.
IN TOTAL 10 INDIVIDUALS WERE
ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING DRUGS
OUT OF THE ENCAMPMENTS.
MOST RECENTLY THE REMOVALS THAT
TOOK PLACE NEAR THAT NAVIGATION
CENTER AT EIGHTH AVENUE SOUTH
WERE PRECEDED BY INCREASING
CALLS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND
ULTIMATELY BY ACTS OF VIOLENCE
INCLUDING A HOMICIDE, SHOTS
FIRED AND ASSAULTS WITH
WEAPONS.
AGAIN, I HAVE TO BE CLEAR, THE
VAST MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS
LIVING OUTSIDE ARE NOT ENGAGING
IN MAJOR CRIME, THEY ARE TRYING
TO SURVIVE.
MANY ARE BATTLING ADDICTION AND
MENTAL ILLNESS AND THEY'RE
TRYING TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE
FOR THEM SELVES.
I KNOW THIS FIRSTHAND, I HAVE
FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE
HOMELESS.
THEY ARE BEING VICTIMIZED BY
CRIMINALS AND BY A CRIMINAL
ELEMENTS.
SOME OF WHICH LIVE THERE AND
SOME OF WHICH OPEN UP
OPERATIONS AT THESE
ENCAMPMENTS.
WE MUST ADDRESS THE CONDITIONS
THAT GIVE RISE TO THE PROBLEM.
YES, WE THE POLICE CAN GO
ARREST CRIMINALS, MORE WILL
COME AND TAKE THEIR PLACE
BECAUSE THESE LOCATIONS HAVE
VICTIMS AND THEY PROVIDE GOOD
COVER FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.
THERE IS OFTEN NO CHOICE IF YOU
WANT TO STOP FURTHER
VICTIMIZATION.
WE HAVE TO ACT.
RECENTLY I WAS TALKING TO A
VERY DISTRAUGHT LIEUTENANT WHO
SPOKE TO ME OF TRYING TO
PROVIDE SERVICES TO A MAN, THIS
MAN WAS HOMELESS, HE WAS
SITTING IN HIS OWN FECES,
EATING A SANDWICH THAT WAS
COVERED WITH MAGNETS.
THEY COULD NOT VOLUNTARILY
COMMIT HIM TO BECAUSE THAT DOES
NOT MEET THE CRITERIA.
WE ALSO SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT
PERSON SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO
REMAIN IN THOSE CONDITIONS.
IF THAT WERE MY FAMILY MEMBER,
I WOULD WANT AN OFFICER, ANYONE
COMING BY TO HELP THEM AND
ASSIST THEM.
I WILL CLOSE BY SAYING THIS.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT
ACCEPTABLE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE
IN THESE CONDITIONS, THIS BILL
WILL DO THAT.
IT IS MY CHARTER AND MY
RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE TAKE THE
SITUATION SERIOUSLY AND AS PART
OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY TO
DO SO TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF
EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF OUR
COMMUNITY.
IF MY OFFICERS ARE NOT ALLOWED
BY WAY OF A BUDGET TO ADDRESS
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAT TAKES
ADVANTAGE OF THESE SITUATIONS,
IT IS A HUGE, I MEAN THIS
SINCERELY, A HUGE DISSERVICE TO
THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE PEOPLE
LIVING THERE.
IT IS A DISSERVICE TO HUMANITY.
IF THIS ACTIVITY IS OCCURRING
WITH THE INDIVIDUALS, THEY KNOW
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL COME
AND INTERCEDE.
IT WORRIES ME GREATLY WHAT WILL
HAPPEN WHEN THEY KNOW NO ONE IS
COMING AND THEY ARE ALLOWED TO
OPERATE WITH FREE REIGN?
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A FEW
MINUTES TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS.
>> THANK YOU CHIEF BEST.
WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM CHIEF
SCOGGINS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
AS A FIRE DEPARTMENT WE MUST DO
WHAT IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT
FIRES AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES
SAFE BY FOLLOWING OUR MISSION
OF SAVING LIVES AND PROTECTING
PROPERTY.
MANY ENCAMPMENTS POSE A
SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC SAFETY
HAZARD AND OR CONCERN.
AS AN EMPLOYER WE MUST KEEP THE
SAFETY OF OUR PERSONNEL AT THE
FOREFRONT AND SHOULD NOT
CONTINUE TO PUT THEM INTO
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IF
POSSIBLE.
WE KNOW WE ARE FIREFIGHTERS AND
WE KNOW THERE ARE SOME
SITUATIONS THAT WILL BE
DANGEROUS.
WE TRY TO PREVENT THE ONES THAT
WE CAN.
OUR MEMBERS BECOME FIREFIGHTERS
BECAUSE THEY ARE COMMITTED TO
SERVING THE PUBLIC.
WE CAN ALL HELP IMPROVE
COMMUNITY SAFETY AND
FIREFIGHTER SAFETY.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY
CONCERNS ON TWO FRONTS.
I WILL START WITH FIRE AND
TRANSITION INTO MEDICAL SAFETY
ISSUES.
WHEN PEOPLE ARE BURNING
ANYTHING OUTSIDE WEATHER FOR
COOKING, WARMING, RECREATION,
THERE IS ALWAYS A SAFETY RISK
FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING AT
ENCAMPMENTS, THEIR NEIGHBORS
AND THE CITY FIREFIGHTERS WHO
HAVE TO GO INTO THESE
ENVIRONMENTS AND PUT THEM OUT.
SOME SUMMER IS HISTORICALLY THE
BUSIEST MONTH FOR OUTDOOR
FIRES.
WE CONTINUE TO SEE DANGEROUS
FIRE HAZARDS AT HOMELESS
ENCAMPMENTS.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TRACKING
COVID-19 ON FEBRUARY 28, WE
HAVE RESPONDED TO 126 FIRES AND
ENCAMPMENTS CITYWIDE.
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE
BY 15% FROM THE SAME TIME
PERIOD IN 2019.
THE FIRE CONCERN IS TWO-
PRONGED.
FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS THE CONCERN IS THE
POTENTIAL OF THE FIRE SPREADING
AND LACK OF FIRE ALARM OR ANY
TYPE OF SYSTEM TENTS ARE HIGHLY
FLAMMABLE AS WE THE ALL THE
TIME AND LOCATED NEAR BRUSH OR
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS THEY DO
SPREAD QUICKLY FROM ONE TENT TO
THE NEXT OR UP A HILLSIDE.
ENCAMPMENTS DO NOT HAVE ANY
ALERTING SYSTEM IN PLACE TO
ALERT RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE.
TYPICALLY LACK OF EQUIPMENT TO
EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE IT
GETS OUT OF CONTROL.
LARGE PILES OF TRASH OFTEN
FOUND AT ENCAMPMENTS ARE PUBLIC
HEALTH CONCERNS AND SOURCES OF
FUEL FOR THE FIRE TO GROW AS WE
OFTEN SEE.
THE SECOND AREA OF CONCERN IS
FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE
WAS WANTING TO PUT OUT THESE
FIRES.
OUR MEMBERS ARE FREQUENTLY PUT
INTO HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS WHERE
BUTANE AND PROPANE TANKS
EXPLODE AND THIS HAPPENS QUITE
OFTEN, NEEDLES AND FECES ARE
FOUND ON THE GROUND THAT THEY
MUST TRAVEL THROUGH.
ACCESS TO THE FIRE ISN'T ISSUE
FORCING CREWS TO RESPOND VIA
HIGH-TRAFFIC FREEWAYS OR
NAVIGATE UP A CONTAMINATED AND
STEEP HILLSIDE.
THIS OFTEN REQUIRES DEEP
CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT USED FOR
FIRE SUPPRESSION.
THIS ALSO KEEPS THE CRUISE OUT
OF SERVICE LONGER AS WE HAVE TO
GO BACK AND DO THESE
DECONTAMINATION PROCESSES.
THERE ARE ALSO MANY INCIDENTS
WHERE THESE FIRES ARE
THREATENING THE CITY'S
INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING
BRIDGES, UTILITY POLES,
HIGHWAYS, FIRE HYDRANTS AND
MORE.
A RECENT EXAMPLE WAS ON MAY 25.
CREWS EXTINGUISH A FIRE THAT
ENGULFED SEVERAL TENTS.
A PORTABLE GENERATOR.
FIREFIGHTERS NEGOTIATED ON A
HIPPITY SLIPPERY HILLSIDE IN
ORDER TO REACH THE FIRE AND
ENCOUNTERED NEEDLES AND OTHER
DEBRIS.
ENGINEERS FROM HARBORVIEW
MEDICAL CENTER NOTIFIED CREWS
THAT HEAVY SMOKE INTO THEIR
BUILDING HVAC SYSTEM AND PEOPLE
WERE ABLE TO SMELL SMOKE FROM
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL.
AS IT RELATES TO MEDICAL, IN
2019, 80% OF OUR RESPONSES WERE
FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
TOTALING NEARLY 73,000
RESPONSES FOR THE YEAR.
LAST YEAR, 15% OF THESE MEDICAL
RESPONSES WERE FROM PEOPLE
BELIEVED TO BE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS JUST OVER 11,000
RESPONSES.
FROM FEBRUARY 28, WHEN WE
STARTED THIS COVID-19 CRISIS
úTODAY, WE HAVE RESPONDED TO
2400 MEDICAL INCIDENT FROM
PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS.
THE HEALTH CONCERNS AMONG THIS
POPULATION IS SIGNIFICANT.
WE SEE IT DAILY.
WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
UNDERWAY, THE RATE OF
TRANSMISSION AT ENCAMPMENTS
COULD BE EXTREME.
THIS INCREASES THE STRESS LEVEL
AMONG RESPONDERS GOING INTO
THESE ENVIRONMENTS.
REMEMBER, FIREFIGHTERS GET OFF
EACH DAY AND THEY TAKE WHATEVER
IS ON HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.
ENCOUNTERING UNSANITARY
CONDITIONS WITH FECES, NEEDLES,
RODENTS AT ENCAMPMENTS HAS
BECOME THE NORM.
HEPATITIS A OUTBREAK IS A
RECENT EXAMPLE HOW QUICKLY A
LIFE ALTERING DISEASE CAN
SPREAD WITHOUT INTERVENTION.
OUR CREWS CONTINUE TO ENCOUNTER
COMBATIVE PATIENTS WHO ARE
OFTEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
DRUGS OR HAVE UNDERLYING MENTAL
HEALTH ISSUES WHEN RESPONDING
TO MEDICAL AID CALLS AND
RELOCATIONS.
WE ARE FACED WITH THE SAME
ACCESS ISSUES BUT SOMETIMES
THEY ARE A BIT MORE DIFFICULT,
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IT IS EASY
TO SPOT A FIRE, WHEN WE ARE
NAVIGATING AND NEGOTIATING THE
HILLSIDE OF WHERE WE THINK AN
ENCAMPMENT IS AT 2:00 IN THE
MORNING, IT IS UNSAFE ON
MULTIPLE FRONTS.
WE OFTEN REQUIRE SEATTLE POLICE
ESCORT INTO THESE AREAS JUST TO
KEEP OUR MEMBERS SAFE.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS YOU ASKED
FOR OUR REASONS AND HOW WE COME
TO OUR DECISIONS.
THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
INFORMED OUR OPINION FROM REAL
EXPERIENCES RESPONDING TO
THOUSANDS OF EMERGENCIES OF
PEOPLE IN NEED.
WE SEE IT EVERY DAY.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME
TO HEAR OUR CONCERNS.
>> THANK YOU CHIEF SCOGGINS.
THE LAST PRESENTER ON THE
PANEL'S DIRECTOR HAYES.
DIRECTOR HAYES IF YOU HAVE ANY
COMMENTS AT THIS TIME, YOU HAVE
THE FLOOR.
>>THANK YOU MR. CHAIR AND
COUNSEL.
I KNOW THEY HAVE QUESTIONS.
I JUST WANTED A BRIEF OVERVIEW
OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH
AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE
HAVE DONE.
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME
TO SAY AS PUBLIC HEALTH SEATTLE
AND KING COUNTY I WORK WITH THE
COUNTY AND THE CITY AND PROVIDE
THE VIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH ROLE
IF PEOPLE ARE EXPRESSING
HOMELESSNESS.
I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS ON
HUMANITY AND THE TRAGEDY OF
COVID ON TOP OF THE TRAUMA FOR
PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS HAVE ON A DAY-TO-
DAY BASIS AND THE NEED TO
REALLY LOOK TO CARE FOR THEM
AND HELP THEM AS WELL AS
DEALING WITH THE REALITY OF THE
CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE HAVE IN
BOTH THE RANGE OF THE SETTINGS
FOR HOMELESS SERVICE.
FOR PUBLIC HEALTH OUR APPROACH
FOCUSES ON REDUCTION.
WE GO TO WHEREVER CONGREGANT
SHELTERS, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING,
EACH HAS ITS IMPORTANCE FOR
INDIVIDUALS AND EVERYBODY STORY
IS UNIQUE.
IN THIS COVID CRISIS WE SEE OUR
FOLKS ARE MAKING IT LESS RISKY.
THEY ARE COMMITTED TO GOING
INTO THOSE AND REDUCING THE
RISK OF TRANSMISSION.
THE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE IS A
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
SERVICES, THE CITY OF HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
HEALTH AS WELL AS PARTNERS
WORKING CLOSELY WITH EVERY
WONDERFUL SERVICE PROVIDER.
IT DOES INCLUDE DAY CENTERS,
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, JAIL
RELEASE CORONATION, OUTREACH
WORKERS, NURSES SHELTERS AND
OTHER UNIQUE CONGREGANT
SETTINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP
DURING THIS COVID RESPONSE.
I JUST WANT TO THANK AND
EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THE
MANY HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS
AND BEHAVIORAL STAFF WHO ARE
ESSENTIAL WORKERS AT THE TIME
THEY WITH THE PUBLIC, AND I
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
STARTING EARLY IN THIS OUTBREAK
WE -- TO GIVE GUIDANCE ON A
TOOLKIT FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
AND I AM GRATEFUL I DID THAT
EARLY ON BEFORE THE OUTBREAK
HITS.
WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE
INFORMATION ON INFECTION
CONTROL AND BRIEFING TO 200
PLUS PROVIDERS EACH WEEK WE
HAVE DEPLOYED OUR CLINICAL TEAM
TO HOME SERVICE SITES, HELP
COORDINATE INFECTION CONTROL,
DISINFECTION, HYGIENESUPPLIES,
PUBLIC HEALTH, WHEN WE LEARNED
OF A COVID CASE AT A HOMELESS
SERVICE SITES, OUR STRIKE TEAM
GOES TO THAT SITES.
WE HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE TESTING
AS I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD.
OVER 3200 TEST HAVE BEEN
COMPLETED AND CONDUCTED BY
PUBLIC OR HEALTHCARE PARTNERS.
WHEN OUR TEAMS MOBILIZE --
OFFERING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
SWIFT ACTION FOR TRANSMISSION
AND REFE PEOPLE TO ISOLATION
AND QUARANTINE IF NEEDED.
FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING
HOMELESS, WE HAVE OPEN FACILITY
FOR ISOLATION WARRANTING
ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY JUST
FOR COVID RESPONSE.
REDUCING -- AND ALL RESPONSE
AREAS ASKED FOR GREATER SOCIAL
THING IT IS AN IMPORTANT
STRATEGY.
YOUR PARTNERSHIP, THE CITY'S
PARTNERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP
WITH THE COUNTY ARE A PART OF
THE WALK I WALK EVERY DAY.
I APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP
AND I KNOW THE POLICY MIRRORS
WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS IN TOTAL
YOU HAVE TO BALANCE ALL OF
THIS.
PUBLIC HEALTH TRIES TO ENTER
AND WORK WITH YOU AND WITH
THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE EVER
THEY ARE.
WITH THAT, I KNOW THERE ARE
PLENTY OF RUSSIANS.
I WILL STOP THERE AND ANSWER
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK
DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>>BEFORE WE GET INTO QUESTIONS,
I THINK IT WILL HELP FRAME THE
QUESTIONS, TO HEAR A BRIEF
OVERVIEW, I SHOULD HAVE DONE
THIS AT THE TOP AFTER
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES GAVE HER
STATEMENT TO HAVE CENTRAL
STAFF BRIEFLY GIVE AN UPDATE ON
THE MATERIALS THAT SHE
DISTRIBUTED PRIOR TO THE
COMMITTEE MEETING AND JUST AN
OVERVIEW OF THE BILL REALLY
QUICKLY BEFORE WE GET INTO
QESTIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE
PANEL.
ALLIE, IF YOU ARE ON IF YOU
COULD JUST GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF
THE BILL AND WHAT THIS PROPOSAL
WOULD AND WOULD NOT DO AND THAT
CAN HELP FRAME OUR
CONVERSATION.
I AM SURE MANY FOLKS HAVE
QUESTIONS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GOT
YOUR PRESENTATION IN FIRST.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
MY COLLEAGUE IS ALSO ON THE
LINE.
WE THOUGHT WE WERE LATER IN THE
PRESENTATION SO I AM GOING TO
FILIBUSTER.
I SEE HIM POPPING IN, I THINK
HE WILL PROVIDE A HIGH-LEVEL
OVERVIEW OF THE BILL AND I WILL
DESCRIBE THE AMENDMENTS
PARTICULARLY A KEY AMENDMENT
THAT IS CRITICAL IN CLARIFYING
WHAT WE UNDERSTAND THE INTENT
WAS BY THE BILLS MONSTER AND
COSPONSOR.
WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER
TO ERIC TO DO A QUICK OVERVIEW.
>> I DID WANT TO SAY IT PEOPLE
COULD HOLD THE I UNTIL WE HEAR
THE WHOLE BILL.
>> IS -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE
THEY ARE VISIBLE AND AUDIBLE.
>> AT THIS MOMENT I AM GOING TO
SHARE MY SCREEN SO I CAN WALK
THROUGH SOME AND THEN MOVE IT
ALONG FOR ALLIE..
THAT SHOULD NOW BE VISIBLE TO
YOU.
HERE'S A SUMMARY OF COUNSEL
BILL 119 796.
THIS IS WHAT IT IS SET UP TO
DO.
THE RESTRICTION IS DESCRIBED ON
THE RIGHT IS RESTRICTION OF
FUNDING FROM BUDGET SUMMARY
LEVELS IN THE CURRENT BUDGET.
IT RESTRICTS THE FUNDING TO BE
SPENT ON ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL AND
UNLESS CONDITIONS ARE MET.
IT EXCLUDES THE TRANSMISSION OF
CLINICAL DISEASES INCLUDING
COVID AND MUTATIONS.
IT POSES AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD AS
DEFINED IN THE FILE ALSO KNOWN
AS -- THIS FILE REFERS TO
GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED IN 2017
WITH HOW DEPARTMENTS COORDINATE
FOR CAMP REMOVAL.
ANOTHER ASPECT IS IT WOULD HAVE
TO OBSTRUCT THE PATH OF TRAVEL
IT WOULD PRESENT A FIRE OR
SAFETY HAZARD OR BE LOCATED IN
A CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA.
JUST VERY QUICKLY THE
CONDITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE TO
BE AT LEAST ONE HAS TO BE
PRESENT IN AN AUTHORIZED
ENCAMPMENT TO ALLOW FOR
SPENDING OF THE NAVIGATION TEAM
TO DO WORK THROUGH THE CURRENT
BUDGET.
JUST TO REITERATE THIS IS FOR
THE LEGISLATION AS INTRODUCED.
>>> THE NEXT THING WE JUMP
RIGHT INTO IS THE AMENDMENTS
THAT HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO THE
BILL.
I THINK ALLIE WILL TAKE THIS
UP.
>> THANK YOU, ERIC.
I WILL NOT SPEND A LOT OF TIME
GOING INTO THE DETAILS OF THE
LANGUAGE IN EACH AMENDMENT, BUT
DESCRIBE THEM AT A HIGHER LEVEL
NOW WE CAN DIVE IN DEEPER AFTER
THE PANEL DISCUSSION.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS CRITICAL
IN THAT IT CLARIFIES THE LENGTH
OF -- IF YOU CAN JUMP TO SLIDE
AHEAD, THE MOST CRITICAL PIECE
OF THE LEGISLATION, ONE MORE
SLIDE.
THANK YOU.
THE BILL INTRODUCED WOULD NOT
ALLOW FUNDS BE USED TO RELOCATE
OR REMOVE AND ENCAMPMENT IF THE
ACTIVE HEALTH THREAT IS IN THE
PRESENCE OF A COMMUNICABLE
DISEASE.
THIS CLARIFIES WHAT WAS
INTENDED IF THE REASON FOR THE
ENCAMPMENT IS AN ACTIVE HEALTH
THREAT THAT IS A COMMUNICABLE
DISEASE SUCH AS COVID THAT THE
REMOVAL COULD PROCEED IF
CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET.
THAT INCLUDES FOLLOWING
GUIDANCE FROM CDC ABOUT HOW TO
PROVIDE SANITATION SERVICES AND
OTHER THINGS TO THE OCCUPANTS
OF THE CABIN.
ACKNOWLEDGING IF AN INDIVIDUAL
SOLDIER IS NOT AVAILABLE
LEAVING AND ENCAMPMENT IN PLACE
MAY BE BALANCING A NUMBER OF
RISKS AND MAYBE THE PUBLIC
HEALTH RESPONSE.
IT SUGGEST THAT THAT'S NEED TO
BE TAKEN FIRST PRIOR TO POSTING
A NOTICE OF REMOVAL SO THAT IN
COLLABORATION WITH PUBLIC
HEALTH EXPERT, THE CITY CAN
DETERMINE WHAT THE BEST
RESPONSE IS FOR THE OCCUPANTS
OF THE ENCAMPMENT AS WELL AS
THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
CLARIFICATION ABOUT WHAT FUNDS
COULD OR COULD NOT BE USED FOR.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS RELATED
TO THE PROVISION IN THE PROVISO
THAT WOULD ALLOW FUNDS BE USED
FOR RELOCATION AND REMOVAL,
ERIC, IF YOU COULD JUMP TO THE
NEXT SLIDE, ONE MORE.
IF THE REMOVAL COULD PROCEED IF
IT OBSTRUCTS THE PATH OF TRAVEL
SUCH THAT CLEARANCE FROM THE
ENCAMPMENT IS NOT FOUR FEET
WIDE OR GREATER.
WHAT THIS DOES IS IT AT IN
LANGUAGE TO SAY THAT IF THE
OBSTRUCTION COULD BE ADDRESSED
BY RECONFIGURING PHYSICAL ASKED
X OF THE ENCAMPMENT, BUT SAY
THERE ARE 2010 AND FIVE ARE
BLOCKING THE PATH OF TRAVEL AND
THE ENCAMPMENT COULD BE
RECONFIGURED TO PROVIDE A SAFE
PATH OF TRAVEL BUT ALLOW THE
ENCAMPMENT TO REMAIN IN PLACE,
MAYBE THAT IS A STRATEGY THAT
SHOULD BE TRIED FIRST AND EVERY
EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO WORK
WITH THE DOCUMENTS TO CONNECT
THEM TO APPROPRIATE HOUSING.
IT IS JUST SORT OF CLARIFYING
AND ADDING IN THIS CONCEPT OF
TRYING TO BALANCE WHETHER
ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL IS THE BEST
PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE.
FINALLY, THERE IS A THIRD
AMENDMENT NOT POSTED TO THE
AGENDA THAT WAS ESTIMATED
EARLIER.
AMENDMENTS ONE AND TWO ARE
SPONSORED BY COUNCILWOMAN --
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
THE THIRD ONE ADDRESSES THE
PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES THAT HAVE
BEEN RAISED.
WE INTERPRETED THE DEFINITION
IN THE CLERK FILE RELATING TO
IMMEDIATE HAZARDS.
IT WOULD ALLOW ENCAMPMENT
RELOCATION OR REMOVAL IF IT
MEETS THE DEFINITION OF HAZARD.
THE TERM HAZARD TYPICALLY BEING
UNDERSTOOD AS PRESENTING A
RISK.
WE INTERPRET THAT TO MEAN IF IT
WAS A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK THAT
POSED A RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY
OR DEATH THAT ENCAMPMENT
REMOVAL CAN PROCEED.
WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE
EXECUTIVE STAFF, THAT IS NOT
HOW THEY INTERPRET THE
DEFINITION IN PREVIOUS
ENCAMPMENT REMOVALS.
THIS SAYS ESPECIALLY THE
ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL CAN REMOVE
IF IT POSES A PUBLIC SAFETY
RISK THAT POSES IMMINENT THREAT
TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
OCCUPANTS OR SURROUNDING
NEIGHBORHOOD.
THESE AMENDMENTS ARE TRYING TO
FINE-TUNE AN ADDRESS THE
LEGISLATION AND WITH GUIDANCE
FROM THE CDC.
WE HAVE COPIED AND PASTE SOME
OF THAT DIRECTLY FROM THE CDC
WEBSITE.
>>THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE THAT SO WE CAN ALL
BE ON THE SAME PAGE.
CAN WE EXIT OUT OF THIS
POWERPOINT PERFECT.
NOW WE CAN OPEN IT UP TO OUR
PANELISTS.
QUESTIONS FROM THE
COUNCILMEMBERS AS PER OUR
ROUTINE IF YOU SIGNALED TO ME
OR TEXT ME AND I WILL PUT YOU
IN THE QUEUE.
SINCE WE HAVE A PACKED AGENDA
AND IT IS ALREADY 4:30, IF YOU
COULD KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS BRIEF
AND IF PANELISTS COULD HAVE
THEIR ANSWERS BE RESPONSIVE AND
TO THE POINT THAT WOULD BE
APPRECIATED.
WE WANT TO GET THROUGH AS MANY
QUESTIONS AS POSSIBLE AND MOVE
ON.
WITH THAT, ARE THERE ANY FOLKS
WHO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE PANEL
COUNCILMEMBER TED 12
>> I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST
PREFERENCE MY COMMENTS WITH
INFORMATION I RECEIVED ABOUT
THE ORDER OF THE SACRAMENTO
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER THAT WAS
TAKEN ON MAY 22.
BY THE ORDER OF THE SACRAMENTO
HEALTH OFFICER PREFACING COMMENT
, THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO IT IS
2019 WHEN I COUNT, COUNTED 5570
INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE HOMELESS,
70% OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE
--, HOMELESSNESS PROFILE NOT
UNLIKE SEATTLE.
THE COUNTY SO HEALTH OFFICER
FOR SACRAMENTO COUNTY SIGNED AN
úORDER ON THE 22nd SAYING CDC
GUIDANCE FOR THOSE RINSING
HOMELESSNESS OUTSIDE OF
SHELTERS IS TO BE STRICTLY
ENFORCED TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC
HEALTH AND SAFETY, ALLOW PEOPLE
LIVING UNSHELTERED IN CARS,
RVS, TRAILERS OR CAMERAS TO
REMAIN WHERE THEY ARE UNLESS
THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THOSE
LOCATIONS ARE PROVIDED WITH
REAL-TIME ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL
ROOMS OR HOUSING UNITS OR
HOUSEHOLDS WITH APPROPRIATE
ACCOMMODATIONS INCLUDING FOR
DISABILITIES AND A CLEAR PLAN
TO SAFELY TRANSPORT THOSE
HASSLES.
THE ORDER GOES ON TO SAY DO NOT
FIGHTS, CLEAR OR RELOCATE
ENCAMPMENT DURING THE SPREAD OF
COVID-19.
DO NOT REMOVE PROPERTY FROM
PEOPLE EXPRESSING HOMELESSNESS
WHICH INCLUDES SHELTER, HYGIENE
EQUIPMENT, FOOD SUPPLIES, WATER
AND PERSONAL ITEMS.
ITEMS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING
UNSHELTERED DESIGNATED AS TRASH
REQUESTED TO BE REMOVED CAN BE
DISPOSED OF.
CLEARING ENCAMPMENT CAUSES
PEOPLE TO DISPERSE THROUGHOUT
THE COMMUNITY AND BREAK
CONNECTION WITH SERVICE
PROVIDERS INCREASING THE
POTENTIAL FOR INFECTIOUS
DISEASE SPREAD.
EXCEPTIONS ARE ENCAMPMENTS THAT
POSE IMMINENT PUBLIC SAFETY
HAZARD SUCH AS A LARGE
EXCAVATED AREA OF THE LEVY.
I OFFER THIS TO SUGGEST TWO
THINGS.
ONE, THIS PROHIBITION IS MUCH
BROADER THAN ON THE LEGISLATION
WITH COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA
BEING CONTEMPLATED.
THIS LEGISLATION ONLY APPLIES
THE CDC GUIDANCE TO ENCAMPMENTS
THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED
INFECTIONS.
THE OTHER POINT THAT I THINK IS
IMPORTANT IS, I DO NOT BELIEVE
THE COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO HAS
BEEN UP IS LAW ENFORCEMENT
MISSION TO PREVENT CRIMES AND
PUBLIC SAFETY THREAT WITH THE
PASSAGE OF THIS EMERGENCY ORDER
BY THE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER.
THIS IS A QUESTION BUT IT IS A
REQUEST FOR OUR KING COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER TO
CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT ONE WAY
OF THE POLITICIZING THIS ISSUE
WHICH IS REALLY SOMETHING ABOUT
SCIENCE AND BEST PRACTICES IS
TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE
POLICYMAKERS HERE AND CONSIDER
A SIMILAR TYPE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ORDER.
AS PER MY QUESTIONS FOR
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, I
WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE WHAT THE
WILLINGNESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
AND DIRECTOR HAYES TO WORK WITH
THE CITY IN CREATING A PROTOCOL
BY WHICH KING COUNTY PUBLIC
HEALTH PLAYS A ROLE IN
CONFIRMING FOR THE CITY THAT A
REMOVAL IS HAPPENING IN A WAY
THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH PUBLIC
HEALTH BEST PRACTICES.
THE REASON WHY I ASK IS I THINK
THE SUCCESS OF THIS POLICY
REALLY DEPENDS ON THE
WILLINGNESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO
WORK IN THIS FASHION AND I HAVE
NOT BEEN CLEAR TODAY HOW PUBLIC
HEALTH IS INTERFACING WITH THE
CITY.
DURING THE REMOVAL ACT MALLARD
COMMENTS, I INQUIRED WITH THE
CITY IF PUBLIC HEALTH WAS
CONSULTED ON THAT REMOVAL AND I
WAS TOLD THAT, BECAUSE WE
OFFERED HOUSING TO EVERY
INDIVIDUAL CAMPING IN THE AREA
BOTH LEADING UP TO AND DURING
THE REMOVAL PUBLIC HEALTH
AGREED WITH OUR ASSESSMENT THAT
WE WERE AND CONTINUE TO BE IN
ALIGNMENT CDC GUIDANCE.
THE TIMES STORY ABOUT THAT NAME
ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL REPORTED
THAT PUBLIC HEALTH HAD NOT
DISCUSSED SPECIFIC ENCAMPMENTS
WITH THE CITY BUT AGREED WITH
THE CDC GUIDELINES.
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ME TO
UNDERSTAND, NOT JUST WHAT
HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND
WHETHER OR NOT PUBLIC HEALTH
ENGAGED WITH THE CITY, ENGAGED
WITH THE NAVIGATION TEAM
LEADING UP TO THE REMOVAL, WHAT
ROLE PUBLIC HEALTH IS WILLING
TO PLAY IN THIS AREA MOVING
FORWARD SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THE
DECISIONS THE CITY IS MAKING TO
REMOVE THE ENCAMPMENTS IS
GROUNDED IN SCIENCE AND BEST
PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICES AND NOT
BEING DRIVEN BY THE VOLUME OF
VOLUME OF COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS.
>>THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
PUBLIC HEALTH HAS A TEAM AND
AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY THAT WE
ARE NOTIFIED AND WE GO OUT AND
WE HAVE OUR MANAGERS AND
ASSESSMENTS WILL MEET WITH
THOSE IN THE ENCAMPMENT.
ONE THING MADE ABOUT THE CDC
GUIDANCE IS THAT THE CDC
GUIDANCE IS BASED UPON THE
CONCERN THAT PEOPLE WILL FIRST.
WE PUT TOGETHER A PURPOSEFUL
EXPERT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
CONTACTING PEOPLE, WE DO AN
ASSESSMENT OF THEM.
WE WANT TO SET UP A WAY IF THEY
DO MOVE THAT WE CAN FIND THEM,
JUST LIKE IF THEY WENT TO A
SHELTER WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT
SHELTER WAS.
AT THIS COBIT CRISIS CONTINUES
WE HAVE FIRMED UP THAT
RELATIONSHIP AND WE HAVE BEEN
DOING THAT.
THAT ASSESSMENT IS AVAILABLE ON
BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY
SIDE TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP ON
THIS.
WE CLEARLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO
DO OUR JOB, CONTINUE OUR
REDUCTION APPROACH.
IF PEOPLE HAVE COBIT MAKE SURE
THAT THEY ARE AVAILED OF THE
ORENSTEIN OPTION.
THAT IS OUR JOB.
>>A FOLLOW UP TO THAT.
I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND, ARE
YOU IN THIS PARTNERSHIP IN THE
AGREEMENT EMPOWERED TO SAY TO
THE NAVIGATION TEAM WE DO NOT
THINK THE REMOVAL WOULD BE A
BEST PRACTICE IN THIS INSTANCE.
>>MOST OF THE TIME WHEN WE SHOW
UP AT WHAT EVER SITE, IT IS
ABOUT ASSESSING WHAT IS THE
BEST WAY TO MANAGE WITHIN.
WE DO NOT GO IN WITH THE
ATTITUDE OF PROVING ANYTHING OR
NOT, IF THE ENCAMPMENT IS THERE
WE WANT TO HELP THOSE IN THE
ENCAMPMENT.
IF WE ARE CALLED IN BECAUSE
THERE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY
CONCERN AND THERE IS A DECISION
BEING MADE SO WE CAN DO OUR JOB
AND MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS ARE
SHELTERED OR BE ABLE TO FOLLOW
THEM WHEREVER THEY ARE AT.
WE HAVE NOT TAKEN APPROVAL OR
NON-APPROVAL OF THOSE
ACTIONS.'S
>>JUST TO BE CLEAR, MY QUESTION
IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE THE
POWER TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE,
WHETHER OR NOT YOU FEEL
EMPOWERED AS AN AGENCY WHOSE
JOB IT IS TO PUBLIC HEALTH TO
SAY WE DO NOT THINK REMOVAL
WOULD BE A BEST PRACTICE IN
THIS INSTANCE WITH THE
UNDERSTANDING THE CITY WILL DO
WHAT IT THINKS IN ITS OWN
BALANCING ACT.
I DO WANT TO AGAIN, REFERENCE
MY OPENING REMARKS RELATED TO
THE SACRAMENTO PUBLIC HEALTH
OFFICER, THEY ARE SEEING A
DIFFERENT ROLE FOR THEMSELVES.
THEY ARE SAYING NO ENCAMPMENT
REMOVALS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
IMMINENT HAZARDS.
THEY ARE WORKING WITH SOMEBODY
TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION ON
WHETHER OR NOT SOMETHING IS AN
IMMINENT HAZARD THAT JUSTIFIES
A REMOVAL IN CONTRAVENTION OF
THE ORDER.
>>AND I JUMPED IN?
>>COUNCILMEMBER, WITH ALL DUE
RESPECT, I HAVE TO TAKE ISSUE
HERE.
I JUST HAVE TO GET IT ON THE
RECORD.
WE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL
DISAGREEMENT ON YOUR READING OF
THE CDC GUIDANCE.
IT IS GUIDANCE.
IT SAYS UP FRONT THAT ALL THE
DIFFERENT CONSIDERATIONS THAT
CITIES AND LOCALITIES ARE
SUPPOSED TO TAKE IN
CONSIDERATION.
IN FACT, WE HAVE, AS I STATED
IN MY OPENING REMARKS, WE HAVE
MADE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT
WITH THE DIRECTION OF THE
MAYOR.
WE HAVE GONE FROM 303 REMOVALS
IN THE FOURTH ORDER TO FOUR.
I THINK THE POLICE AND FIRE
CHIEFS ARE SITUATED PRETTY WELL
WITH THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE
SEEN ACROSS THE GROUND ACROSS
THOSE ENCAMPMENTS.
WHILE THE SAME TIME FITTING
DOZENS OF PEOPLE INTO SHELTER
FOR MOST LOCATIONS.
AGAIN, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE
LINE OF QUESTIONING HERE.
AS I ALSO SAID, WE ARE WORKING
IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH
PUBLIC HEALTH.
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE MEDICAL
TEAM OUT IN LOW SAIGON AND
CHINATOWN CONSTRUCTION REMOVALS
LAST WEEK.
>>WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, AND
DIRECTING MY QUESTION TO DIRECT
YOUR HAYES IS REPRESENTATION
THAT SHE REPRESENTS AS DIRECTOR
OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE OF
THE COUNTY AND SHE HAS ADVICE
TO IMPART TO THE EXECUTIVE AND
TO THE NAVIGATION TEAM.
I SPECIFICALLY SAID, WITH THE
UNDERSTANDING THAT SHE IS NOT
IN THE ROLE OF APPROVING OR
DISAPPROVING WITH THE
UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
NAVIGATION TEAM WILL BALANCE
THE ADVICE RELATED TO THE CDC
GUIDANCE WITH OTHER
CONSIDERATION.
AGAIN, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT I
DON'T THINK YOU HEARD MY
QUESTION.
I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE
REDIRECTING SO I CAN STOP
MONOPOLIZING THE TIME AND GET
MY QUESTION ANSWERED.
>> I JUST WANT TO GIVE DIRECTOR
I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ANSWER.
AGREEMENT ON THIS CHANNEL AND I
DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS GUIDANCE.
DIRECTOR HAYES, PLEASE.
>> WHAT I WILL SAY IN
EXPERIENCE WITH MY TEAM, THEY
ARE NOT SHY ABOUT GIVING REAL-
TIME ASSESSMENT AND REAL-TIME
OPINIONS OF WHAT IS GOING ON.
IN THE PAST WE WERE DEALING
WITH THERAPY AND LIVING UNDER
BRIDGES.
WE WOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN
TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SAFE
IN THE SITUATION OR MOVED TO A
PLACE THAT WOULD BE MORE
APPROPRIATE.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO WORRY THAT
WE ARE VOCAL ABOUT WHAT WE SEE.
WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, I
DON'T KNOW.
KNOWING THE NURSE PRACTITIONER
AND OUR NURSES, YOU HAVE MET
SOME OF THEM, THEY ARE A SHY
LOTS.
I WANT YOU TO HAVE CONFIDENCE
THAT WE ARE OUT WITH THIS AND
TRULY TALKING TO THE FOLKS --
SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO CALL AND
MAKE SURE NINE WHEN ONE CAN GET
TO THE HOSPITAL.
WE START WITH THE INDIVIDUAL
AND WHAT THEY NEED.
THAT IS A LONG ANSWER TO YOUR
QUESTION BUT IT IS IMPORTANT
FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE
PRESENT.
>>THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE COUNCILMEMBER MORALES
NEXT.
I DID WANT TO JUMP IN.
I THINK THERE ARE CERTAIN
FOUNDATIONAL QUESTIONS FOR THE
PUBLIC AND FOR THIS
CONVERSATION THAT ARE IMPLICIT.
COUNSEL -- COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD QUESTIONING, I WANT TO
FLESH THIS OUT A LITTLE BIT.
I'M GOING TO ASK THIS NOW ON
AND THEN COUNCILMEMBER MORALES
IS NEXT.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION SEND ME
A TEXT OR EMAIL.
I JUST WANT TO ASK A FEW
CLARIFYING QUESTIONS FROM
DIRECTOR HAYES BEFORE WE MOVE
FORWARD.
I THINK THE CRUX OF SOME OF
THESE POSITIONS IS
UNDERSTANDING THE GUIDANCE AND
RELATED TO THE FACT THAT IT IS
GUIDANCE THAT HAS COME FROM
PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE CDC ON
REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF
ENCAMPMENTS.
I WILL ASK THESE QUESTIONS ALL
AT ONCE TO DIRECTOR HAYES.
IT IS JUST CLARITY ON WHAT THE
GUIDANCE IS.
I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF
FAMILIARITY HERE BUT I THINK IT
DOES FRAME A CONVERSATION.
ALSO MAY BE AN OVERVIEW IN THE
EFFORTS THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH
HAS BEEN MAKING IN THE EFFORTS
THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY AND HOW
PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE HAS
INFORMED THOSE EFFORTS IN THE
SHELTERS IN KING COUNTY AND
SEATTLE.
AND ALSO HOW SOME OF THE
DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE
STAND UP TO SOME OF THE
GUIDANCE IN THE SENSE OF TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES FOR EXAMPLE AND
NOT RECORDED ANY POSITIVE CASES
OF COVID SO FAR EVEN THOUGH
THEY ARE SEMI CONGREGANT
SETTINGS.
I DO WANT TO SAY, THE CRUTCH
CRUX OF THE QUESTION IS THE
GUIDANCE, BUT ARE THERE WAYS
FOR CONGREGATE OR SEMI
CONGREGANT SETTINGS TO TAKE
ACTION THAT CAN BRING THEM
CLOSER TO THE GUIDELINE OF
PUBLIC HEALTH?
>> I WILL START WITH THE
GUIDANCE AND THEN GET TO --.
THEY HAVE PUT OUT A NUMBER OF
DOCUMENTS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN
UPDATING WITH TIME.
I WANTED TO START SAYING FOR
PUBLIC HEALTH WE HAVE BEEN IN
THIS SINCE JANUARY WHEN THE
FIRST CASE WAS DISCOVERED.
OVER THE LAST FOUR MONTHS WE
HAVE LEARNED A LOT.
WE HAD A CDC TEAM OUT HERE
WORKING WITH US.
I THINK IT IS FOR THE REASONS,
IF I CAN JUST BE PROUD FOR A
MINUTE THAT THEY ACTUALLY CAST
THE SEATTLE APPROACH AS A HUGE
BEST PRACTICE.
IT'S NOT SAY THAT -- WE COULD
DO BETTER.
I THINK OVER TIME WE HAVE
LEARNED AND AS WE HAVE GONE
ALONG, CDC RECOGNIZES THAT
THERE IS A RANGE, THEY HAVE
GUIDANCE THAT WAS RECOGNIZED AS
TO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO --
THAT WAS FROM WORK HERE IN
SEATTLE WHERE WE ARE WORKING
LIFETIME WITH THEM ON WHAT WE
NEED TO DO TO SHELTER
ENVIRONMENT, WHAT WE COULD BEEF
UP WITH OUR TOOLKIT.
THE CDC GUIDANCE ALSO SAYS,
THIS HAS BEEN QUOTED AND I WILL
QUOTE AGAIN, THEIR CONCERN IS
CLEARING PEOPLE TO DISPERSE.
WHAT THAT TELLS US IS THAT WE
ACTUALLY HAVE A RANGE OF
OPTIONS SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
NO MATTER WHERE A PERSON WAS
BECAUSE WE LEARNED WHETHER OR
NOT IT IS THE SHELTER
ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE DO MOVE AND
WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THEM.
CDC DOES SAY -- IF INDIVIDUAL
HOUSING IS NOT AVAILABLE -- IT
IS THIS RANGE OF THINGS THAT WE
HAVE TO TAKE INTO
CONSIDERATION.
WE LOOK AT WHAT TO DO DURING
THIS OUTBREAK.
WE HAVE WORKED, WE HAVE DONE A
NUMBER OF THINGS WITH THE
COUNTY.
WE HAVE ACTUALLY WORKED IN
SHELTERS THAT ARE KNOWN TO HAVE
AT RISK PEOPLE AND CDC
GUIDELINES ACTUALLY MENTIONED
THE TO IF YOU IDENTIFY PEOPLE
WHO HAVE CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND
ARE OLDER, -- WE LOOK TO WORK
AT INTO KNOWING THAT IT WAS A
VULNERABLE POPULATION SO IF WE
NEED TO DE-INTENSIFY AND GIVE
SPACE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
-- ONE THING WE HAVE LEARNED IS
THE ISSUE OF SHOWERS BEING
CLOSE BY.
BECAUSE WE HAVE MEDICAL WE HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THAT WORK.
IT WAS ALREADY GOING TO
ENCAMPMENTS BUT WE HAVE
CONTINUED TO HAVE VACCINATION
IT IS OFTEN CHALLENGING TO GET
-- FOR HAVE A TWO VACCINE AT
TWO DIFFERENT TIMES.
IT IS HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO DO
THOSE.
WE HAVE ALSO BEEN DOING
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AS THEY
HAVE LOOKED TO WHAT THEY CAN
DO.
WE HAVEN'T EVEN ABOUT HELPING
FOLKS WHO ARE SERVICE PROVIDERS
WHO NEED TO PROTECT THEIR
STAFF.
I MYSELF HAD ONE OF MY STRIKING
MEMBERS COME DOWN WITH IT.
GOODNESS SHE RECOVERED QUICKLY.
WE HAD TO QUARANTINE 10 STAFF
FOR TWO WEEKS AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE OUTBREAK WE CONTINUE TO
WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THIS.
THAT IS THE GUIDANCE, THAT IS
HOW WE HAVE APPLIED IT.
WE HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH
CC WHEN WE HAVE QUESTIONS, I
GUESS I WILL STOP THERE.
>>DIRECTOR HAYES, I MIGHT
FOLLOW, BUT I WANT TO LET SOME
OF MY COLLEAGUES IN.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES HAS A
QUESTION.
I WILL LET HER JUMP IN NOW.
>>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR HAYES.
I THINK THIS I MIGHT ACTUALLY
BE FOR THE DEPUTY MAYOR.
MY QUESTION IS FOR PROTECTING
PUBLIC HEALTH DURING A REMOVAL.
DIRECTOR HAYES WAS TALKING ABOUT
CONTACTING PEOPLE IF THEY DO
HAVE CORONAVIRUS AND THEY NEED
TO BE BROUGHT IN.
IF THERE IS SOMEBODY WAITING
FOR TEST RESULTS AND THEY GET
MOVED.
WHAT IS THE PLAN OR PROCESS FOR
TRACKING WHERE PEOPLE GO, IF
THEY ARE GOING TO A SHELTER, IF
THEY ARE GOING TO A TINY HOUSE
VILLAGE, REALLY, HOW ARE PEOPLE
úTRACK WHETHER OR NOT THEY
ACCEPT SHELTER AND WHETHER OR
NOT THEY ACTUALLY MAKE IT TO A
SHELTER THAT THEY WOULD ACCEPT
IT.
THERE IS A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE
NEED TO FIND SOMEBODY THAT HAS
A TEST RESULT, HOW ARE PEOPLE
TRACKED THROUGH THE SYSTEM
>> LET ME TELL YOU WHAT WE ARE
DOING.
IF A PERSON HAS BEEN EXPOSED
AND WE NEED TO TEST THEM THEY
NEED TO BE QUARANTINED.
WE NEED TO GET THAT PERSON
ACTUALLY IN ONE OF OUR
QUARANTINE SITES.
WE HAVE HAD FOLKS REFUSE THAT
AND THERE HAVE SOME THAT HAVE
HAD CHALLENGES THAT DON'T WORK
WELL IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.
ON THE WHOLE WE HAVE BEEN
SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT.
IN THOSE CASES WHERE THEY HAVE
TESTED AND NOBODY IS EXPOSED.
WE WOULD WAIT FOR THE TEST TO
GET BACK.
FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN
EXPOSED BUT HAS BEEN TESTED IN
ONE OF OUR MORE BROAD TESTING,
HAVE DONE THIS IN SHELTERS AND
CAMPS, IF IT COMES BACK
POSITIVE, OUR DISEASE
INSTIGATORS WILL THEN GO
THROUGH A PROCESS -- WE HAVE A
NETWORK OUT OF THE THAT WE WORK
WITH.
WE START THAT INDIVIDUAL AND
WHERE THEY LAST WORKED, WE HAVE
A PRETTY GOOD TRACK RECORD THAT
WE LIKE TO SAY WE WERE 100%,
NOT ALWAYS, THOSE ARE SOME OF
THE STRATEGIES THAT WE USE
WITHIN OUR CASES.
>>ONE FOLLOW-UP TO THAT, FOR
PEOPLE WHO ASK BEDS AT SPECIFIC
SHELTERS, FOR WHOM THERE ISN'T
SOMETHING THAT ME THEIR NEEDS.
THEY HAVE A PARTNER, PETS,
WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCE, HOW
DOES THE NAVIGATION TEAM DECIDE
WHICH OPTIONS TO OFFER A PERSON
BASED ON THEIR PARTICULAR
NEEDS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE
TESTING OR JUST IN GENERAL.
>> CAN I ANSWER?
>> MAYOR SIX KILLER AND THEN
ANY OTHER PANELIST WHO WANTS TO
ADDRESS AS WELL.
>>I JUST WANT TO SAY NUMBER ONE
IN RESPONSE TO YOUR FIRST
QUESTION, JUST TO ECHO WHAT
DIRECTOR HAYES SAID.
WE HAVE BENEFITED AT THE FRONT
END OF THIS BY HAVING THE
DIRECTOR REFERENCE THIS EDC
HERE ADVISING US AND THE WORK
THAT WE DID TOGETHER WITH THE
COUNTY AS I REFERENCED IN MY
OPENING COMMENTS.
IT REALLY HITS IT IS SETTING UP
QUARANTINED SITES.
IS SETTING UP ASSESSMENT
RECOVERY CENTERS.
WE HAVE AN ENTIRE APPARATUS
THAT HAS ESTABLISHED IN ORDER
TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
SYMPTOMATIC AND OTHERWISE DO
NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO COME
INSIDE AND WE LOSE TRACK OF
THEM.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS
WITH OUR STRONG PARTNERSHIP
WITH THE COUNTY AND PUBLIC
HEALTH AND IT IS VERY
CONSISTENT WITH THE CDC
GUIDANCE.
THE SECOND PART, THE QUESTION
ABOUT SPECIFIC SHELTER, THE
NAVIGATION TEAM, THAT IS THERE
ROLE WORKING WITH OUR OUTREACH
COMMITTEE MAKING SURE THAT
REFERRALS ME THEIR NEEDS.
WHETHER THEY ARE A COUPLE,
INDIVIDUAL, THEY HAVE PET.
NOT JUST REMOVAL BUT ENGAGING
FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
THAT IS ONE OF OUR PRIMARY
STRATEGIES FOR MAKING SURE THAT
THEY OFFER A SHELTER THAT ONE
WILL ACCEPT.
>>TO ANY OTHER PANELIST WANT TO
JUMP IN ON THAT?
I THINK WE CAN PROCEED TO
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU.
I DO HAVE TWO QUESTIONS, THEY
ARE ALL RELATED, OBVIOUSLY.
BEFORE I ASKED MY QUESTION I
WANT TO PREFACE THE OTHER
QUESTIONS WITH TWO COMMENTS ONE
IS I AM PROBABLY COSPONSORING
THIS BILL THAT IS UNDER
DISCUSSION.
THE BILL PRIORITIZES PUBLIC
HEALTH IN THE INTEREST OF
HOMELESS NEIGHBORS OVER THE
SUITES THAT HAVE BEEN
INEFFECTIVE SO FAR.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW MY OFFICE
HAS A BROADER MOVEMENT
ALONGSIDE COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
TRANSIT RIDERS UNION, ALL OF
THE ACTIVISTS THAT HAVE BEEN
PART OF THE MOVEMENT FOR SIX
YEARS I THINK WE NEED TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THEM.
WITHOUT THAT MOVEMENT WE WOULD
NOT BE DISCUSSING THIS.
I ALSO WANT TO NOTE THIS
INTERESTING THING THAT I
NOTICED, THE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
OPPOSING THIS BILL ARE THE SAME
ENTITIES THAT OPPOSE THE
SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS
HOMELESSNESS SUCH AS URGENTLY
PASSING THE ACTS ON BIG
BUSINESS TO RAISE REVENUE TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE FUNDING
FOR SOCIAL HOUSING AND FOR
EXPANDED SERVICES AND GOING THE
OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM
PROSPERITY.
WE HEAR CONSTANTLY FROM THE
MAYOR'S REPRESENTATIVES THAT
THEY ARE READYING THEMSELVES
FOR 300 MILLION AS OPPOSED TO
FINDING SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS
THE SHORTFALL AND EXPAND THOSE
REVENUES WHICH WE ARE GOING TO
NEED TO DO IF THERE IS ACTUAL
AGREEMENT THAT WE WILL ADDRESS
THOSE.
ON THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE, I
WOULD LIKE SOME SPECIFIC
RESPONSES TO THESE QUESTIONS.
ONE IS, PICK ANY REASON THAT
YOU HAVE DONE AND CAN YOU TELL
US TO HAVE INFORMATION AS TO
WHERE THE RESIDENCE OF THOSE
RECENT SWEEPS HAVE GONE?
I THINK THERE WERE REFERENCES
FOR SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO
SPOKE ON THE PANEL THAT THAT
INFORMATION IS BEING TRACKED.
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN GENERIC
RESPONSES.
WE KNOW THAT WHAT WORKS.
WHAT IS THE INFORMATION THAT
YOU HAVE ON THESE SPECIFIC
HUMAN BEINGS THAT YOU ARE
TALKING ABOUT WHEN AFTER THE
SUITES WERE DONE AND THEN SO
THAT WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AND
SEND THAT INFORMATION TO THE
ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO
WITNESSED IT SO THAT WE HAVE
SOME THAT WE CAN ASK COMMUNITY
MEMBERS THEMSELVES.
I HAVE NOT COME ACROSS A SINGLE
HOMELESS PERSON WHO SAID A
CERTAIN SUITE HELP THEM IMPROVE
THEIR SITUATION.
MY QUESTION IS VERY SPECIFIC.
CAN YOU GIVE US THAT
INFORMATION?
THE SECOND QUESTION IS, I WILL
ASK BOTH MY QUESTIONS SO THE
PANELISTS CAN ANSWER THEM.
THE SECOND QUESTION IS, IN THE
CDC GUIDELINES, IF YOU DO NOT
AGREE WITH THE CDC GUIDELIES
OR -- DOES NOT AGREE IS
ADMITTED.
THIS EDC GUIDELINE IS CLEAR.
IF AND INDIVIDUAL HOUSING
OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE ALLOW
PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN
SHELTER TO REMAIN WHERE THEY
ARE.
IT IS NOT AMBIGUOUS IT IS VERY
CLEAR AND THE NEXT STATEMENT
SAYS CLEARING ENCAMPMENTS COULD
CAUSE PEOPLE TO DISPERSE
THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND
BREAK CONNECTIONS WITH SERVICE
WRITERS AND THIS INCREASES THE
POTENTIAL FOR THE INFECTIOUS
DISEASE SPREAD.
IS THERE AGREEMENT THAT THIS IS
ACCURATE FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH
STANDPOINT.
MY NEXT QUESTION FOLLOWING THAT
IS, THE REST OF THE GUIDELINES
FOR THIS EDC OFFICE THEY THAT
WE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER
COMMUNITY COALITION MEMBERS TO
CREATE SANITATION IN
ENCAMPMENTS AND ENSURE REST SO
THESE ARE -- AND REMAIN OPEN TO
PEOPLE EXPRESSING HOMELESSNESS.
PROVIDING TRAINS WITH
HANDWASHING FACILITIES AND SO
ON.
THESE SHOULD BE WITH HAND
SANITIZER.
I DID NOT READ EVERY SINGLE
WORD BUT YOU GET THE DRIFT OF
ITS.
>> QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH OF
THESE GUIDELINES HAS BEEN
FULFILLED BY THE VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS IN TERMS OF
PROVIDING RESTROOMS WITH ACCESS
TO THAT.
AND THAT SHOULD BE OPEN 24
HOURS A DAY AND IF TOILETS ARE
NOT AVAILABLE, HOW HAS ACCESS
TO PORTABLE LATRINES BEEN
PROVIDED.
I WOULD APPRECIATE CONCRETE
IDEAS ON THAT.
MY THREE RUSSIANS ARE AWARE OF
THE RESIDENCE FROM THE RECENT
SWEEPS ON SECOND, THUS THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE AND DOES THE
MAYOR AGREE WITH THE CDC
GUIDELINES.
AND THIRD, WHAT IS DONE IN
TERMS OF ACCESS, ACCESS TO HAND
SANITIZER'S AND SO FORTH.
>> WHO WANTS TO START WITH
THOSE QUESTIONS ASKED
>> I WANT TO REFER TO DIRECTOR
HAYES ON THE CDC GUIDANCE.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE TO SAY
ON THE GUIDANCE.
MY COMMENTS IF I CLARIFY THIS,
THE TRACKING I AM TALKING ABOUT
IS THOSE PEOPLE WHO WE HAVE
TESTED, I WANT TO BE CLEAR IT
IS NOT PUBLIC HEALTH JUST
KEEPING A LIST OF EVERYBODY IN
THE ENCAMPMENT THAT MOVES.
I DID NOT WANT TO MISREPRESENT
THAT.
WE WANT TO WORK TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE CAN FOLLOW IT UP.
I THINK YOU ARE REFERRING MOST
OF YOUR RUSSIANS TO --.
>>FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE
ACCEPTED SHELTER SINCE MARCH,
YES, WE DO KNOW BOTH OFFERS
HAVE BEEN MADE AND HOW MANY OF
THOSE REFERRALS HAVE BEEN
ACCEPTED AND WHERE THOSE
INDIVIDUALS ARE TODAY.
AS DIRECTOR HAYES JUST SAID WE
HAVE GONE OUT AND ENGAGE WITH
THE MEDICAL TEAM AND OTHERS AND
ESTABLISHED CONTACT WITH OTHERS.
WE ESTABLISHED WHEN
WE COULD BE IN
TOUCH WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
WE DO NOT ALWAYS KNOW WHERE
THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE.
I THINK THAT MIGHT ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION.
I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE TO COUNSEL
A LISTING IN THE REFERRALS I
WAS SEE WITHOUT NAMES.
THAT WE HAVE -- REFERRALS THAT
WE HAVE MADE AND WHERE THEY ARE
NOW.
IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD
I'M SORRY I WASN'T TRYING TO
SUGGEST WE ARE IN DISAGREEMENT
OR DON'T BELIEVE IN THE
GUIDANCE, WE ABSOLUTELY DO.
AS I SAID, SINCE DAY ONE WE
HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PUBLIC
HEALTH, CDC, STATE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND OTHERS, TO INFORM
THE DECISIONS AND THE POLICIES
THAT WE ARE PURSUING.
I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO SAY THAT
IT IS GUIDANCE, AND IT
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE ARE
OTHER FACTORS SOMETIMES THAT
IMPACT OUR DECISION-MAKING.
BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE WORKED VERY
HARD TO ENGAGE INDIVIDUALS GET
AS MANY PEOPLE INSIDE AS
POSSIBLE.
PRIOR TO HAVING TO TAKE ANY
TYPE OF ACTION FOR REMOVALS.
THE THIRD QUESTION, HYGIENE?
AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE BEEN
WORKING TO STAND UP HYGIENE
FACILITIES.
AND OPENING UP SEVERAL LIBRARY
BRANCHES.
WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE AND PUT
BOTH COUNCIL MEMBERS DIRECTLY
AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
SPECIFIC AREAS, GEOGRAPHIC
AREAS ACROSS THE WE CAN DEPLOY
MORE HYGIENE AND BE MORE
RESPONSIVE TO THOSE REQUESTS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN CRIPPLED
HAS ANOTHER QUESTION.
>> I DO.
THIS QUESTION RELATES
SPECIFICALLY TO THE ISSUES
AROUND PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC
SAFETY, AND WOULD BE QUESTIONS
THAT I WOULD INVITE THE CHIEF
AND TO RESPOND TO.
THE DEPUTY MAYOR RAISE CONCERNS
ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IN HIS
LETTER TO THE COUNCIL.
I QUOTE FROM THAT LETTER,
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT,
SOME ON AUTHORIZED HAVE BEEN
ASSOCIATED WITH NEGATIVE
BEHAVIOR AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY,
IN MANY CASES INDIVIDUALS PRAY
ON THOSE IN THE SURROUNDING
AREAS, AND RESIDENTS LIVING
WITHIN THE ACCOUNTS.
AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE WITH
OVERSIGHT, ON PUBLIC SAFETY, I
HAVE OFFERED TO WORK WITH
DEPUTY MAYOR THONG AND LEADERS
AT HST, AND THE NAVIGATION TEAM
TO TRY TO DEVELOP A MANDATORY
LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS THEIR
CONCERNS AROUND PUBLIC HEALTH,
I AM CONCERNED THAT WITHOUT
SUPPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE, FOR
THIS LEGISLATION, I WILL NOT
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK
WITH THE EXECUTIVE ON
DEVELOPING LANGUAGE THAT WOULD
BE THEIR CONCERNS,
NEVERTHELESS, AS WAS PREVIEWED
IN THE STAFF PRESENTATION I'VE
ATTEMPTED TO DO SO.
MY QUESTIONS ARE, YOU
REFERENCED, YOU BOTH REFERENCED
TYPES OF SITUATIONS THAT YOU'VE
ENCOUNTERED WERE YOU BELIEVE
THAT REMOVING AN ENTIRE
ENCAMPMENT WAS THE BEST TOOL TO
ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT COULD YOU ADDRESS HOW YOU
BALANCE THAT DECISION-MAKING TO
REMOVE AN ENTIRE ENCAMPMENT FOR
THE ACTIONS OF A FEW
INDIVIDUALS WITH TAKING LAW
ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO ADDRESS
THE PERSON OR PEOPLE WHO ARE
ACTUALLY ACTING UNLAWFULLY AND
REMOVING THAT PERSON AND/OR
THEIR INDIVIDUAL STRUCTURE.
THAT IS ONE PART OF THE
QUESTION.
THE SECOND PART IS, GIVEN THAT
REMOVAL OF AN ENCAMPMENT
RESULTS IN ALL OF THE RESIDENTS
SCATTERING AND RELOCATING IN A
DIFFERENT PLACE IN THE CITY,
I'M CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE
PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT
THAT AFFECT IN THAT PEOPLE WHO
MAYBE ENGAGED IN UNLAWFUL
ACTIVITY, ARE THEN NOT SUBJECT
TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND
BELIEVE THAT COULD CREATE
TALENT CHALLENGES OR
IMPEDIMENTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AND THEN LASTLY, THE LANGUAGE
THAT I'VE OFFERED TO INCLUDE IN
THIS ORDINANCE TO ENSURE PUBLIC
SAFETY, ALLOWS FOR ENCAMPMENTS
TO BE REMOVED WHEN THOSE
ENCAMPMENTS POSE A PUBLIC
SAFETY RISK CONSTITUTING AN
IMMINENT THREAT TO THE HEALTH
OR SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS FOR THE
SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
I LIKE TO ASK HOW THAT LANGUAGE
WOULD UNNECESSARILY RESTRICT
YOUR WORK TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
THANK YOU.
>> WHO WANTS TO JUMP ON THE
QUESTION?
I THINK WAS DIRECTED TO THE
CHIEFS.
>> I THINK, I REFER TO CHIEF
BEST IN CHIEFS SCOGGINS.
I WILL FOLLOW UP AFTER THEY
PROVIDE SOME PERSPECTIVE.
>> CHIEF BEST YOU WANT TO GO
FIRST?
>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU COUNSEL
FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND
DILIGENCE IN ASKING THESE
QUESTIONS.
I WOULD SAY THAT ONE OF THE
THINGS I MENTIONED WITH THE
FACT THAT WE CAN'T ARREST WE
CAN ARRESTED TO ARREST PEOPLE
WHO ARE EXPLOITING FOLKS WHO
ARE LIVING IN SHELTERED IN
THESE AND CAMERAS.
HOWEVER WE KNOW ALSO THAT THERE
ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE COMING BACK
INTO THESE AREAS IT IS BECAUSE
OF THE VULNERABILITY OF THE
PEOPLE AT THE ENCAMPMENTS, THAT
THEY CAN OPERATE UNDER THE
COVER OF THE TENTS, AND HIDE
BEHIND THOSE WHO ARE MORE
VULNERABLE, AND IN MANY CASES,
TRAUMATIZES PEOPLE LIVING IN
THOSE CABINETS.
WHEN WE HAVE THE SITUATIONS
OCCUR, WHEN WE CAN SEE THAT
THERE ARE SPIKES PARTICULARLY
IN KINDS OF VIOLENCE FOR
EXAMPLE, HOMICIDE, SHOOTINGS,
WE FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE
TAKE NOTE OF THAT, BUT WE ALSO
ARE SUPPORTING THE HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN MAKING
THE DECISION, THAT IS NOT
SOMETHING THAT COMES TO ME
DIRECTLY, BUT I ABSOLUTELY
SUPPORT WHEN THOSE DECISIONS
ARE MADE.
AS I NOTED IN MY NOTES TO YOU,
IN A SECURITY CAPACITY, WE ALSO
ENGAGE, THERE'S HAZARD SEPARATE
FROM THE ENCAMPMENT THAT WE
HAVE THE AUTHORITY UNDER THOSE
CIRCUMSTANCES, FROM THE PARKS
DEPARTMENT, FOR THAT REMOVAL AS
WELL.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, I HAVE
TO PRIVACY STATEMENTS BY
SAYING, WE ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE
TO THE FACT THAT EVERYONE
LIVING IN ENCAMPMENT IS NOT A
CRIMINAL.
THAT MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE
HIGHLY VULNERABLE, LIVING IN
VERY TRAGIC CONDITIONS.
WE WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO
MINIMIZE THE FACT THAT WE ALSO
KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO
EXPLOIT THE SITUATIONS FULLY.
THAT HIS WIFE WE COME IN AND
MAKE THE ARREST.
THAT IS WHY IF HST PROVIDES A
LIST, THE PLACES THAT NEED TO
BE CLEAR, WE PARTICIPATE IN
THAT CLEARING.
NOT THE DECISION.
>> CHIEF BEST, I DID SEE, HE
WANTED TO TALK.
I GOT YOU ON THE LIST.
CHEAPEST I DO HAVE A QUICK
FOLLOW-UP THAT IS BRIEF.
IT IS THE FACT THAT WE NOW HAVE
AN OPERATIONAL AGREEMENT, HOW
THAT HAS BEEN INFORMED THE
DEPARTMENT'S OUTREACH AND
HAVING INTERVENTIONS TO GET
CERTAIN FOLKS OUT OF
ENCAMPMENTS, THAT MIGHT POSE
PUBLIC SAFETY RISK.
YOUR POSITION AS THE CHIEF, HOW
THAT HAS BEEN HELPFUL AND IS
WORKING IN THE FIELD.
>> I SEE IT'S A GOOD TOOL BUT
IS JUST GETTING UNDERWAY.
AND RIGHT NOW I THINK THEY'RE
WORKING ON THE FINAL AGREEMENTS
WITH THE EXECUTIVE.
I DO LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING ANY
OPPORTUNITY AN OPTION THAT WE
CAN, FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN
SHELTERED IN THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU.
SHE SCOGGINS I DON'T KNOW IF
YOU WANT TO GET IN ON THE
QUESTION BEFORE WE MOVE TO
DEPUTY MAYOR.
>> YES I WILL COVER IT FROM TWO
PERSPECTIVE.
FIRE AND MEDICAL.
WHAT WE SEE IS, IN THE CAMPUS,
WHEN THERE IS A 10 FIRE,
WHETHER IN THE BRUSH OR ON THE
STREET, THE PROXIMITY OF THE
OTHER TENANTS GENERALLY BURNED
SO THE RATE OF SPREAD SEEMS TO
BE RAPID.
AND WE HAVE MANY EXAMPLES OF
FIRES, THE SAFETY ISSUE IS
REAL, THEY CAN BE SOMEWHAT
REMOTE.
TO TAKE A BIT MORE TIME TO GET
TO AN ENCAMPMENT THAT IS
SOMEWHAT OFF THE BEATEN PATH
FOLLOWING THE SMOKER TAKES US
LONGER, AND WHEN THERE'S
MULTIPLE TENTS THERE, AND IT'S
IN THE BRUSH, WE SEEN IN THE
PAST, IN FRONT OF THE
HILLSIDES, AND SOME OF THESE
HOMES, IT BECOMES A BIT
CHALLENGING IF YOU ARE IN AND
HE CAN BUT YOU'RE GOING TO BE
COOKING, YOU WANT TO BE WARM,
THERE'S GOING TO BE A HEAT
SOURCE.
WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME.
ON THE MEDICAL SIDE, IT'S
IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET THERE
IN A TIMELY MANNER.
WHEN SOMEONE IS HAVING A HEART
ATTACK, STROKE, A SERIOUS
MEDICAL CONDITION.
WHEN WE RESPOND TO THESE
LOCATIONS, THAT ARE OFF THE
BEATEN PATH, IT OFTEN TAKES
LONGER FOR US TO GET THERE TO
SERVE THE PERSON WHO IS REALLY
IN NEED, AS I MENTIONED
EARLIER, JUST SINCE THIS COVID-
19 RESPONSE STARTED, WE ARE
ABOUT 2400 MEDICAL RESPONSES,
THAT'S REALLY SIGNIFICANT WHEN
YOU'RE NAVIGATING AND
NEGOTIATING DIFFICULT TERRAIN
TO GET TO THE PATIENT, TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS
TO TRY TO GET THEM TO MEDICAL
CARE.
THOSE ARE OUR CONCERNS AND THEY
ARE VERY REAL.
WE SEE THEM EVERY DAY.
IT'S A LIVED EXPERIENCE.
>> THANK YOU.
DEPUTY MAYOR DO YOU HAVE
COMMENTS?
>> BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I DO NEED
A FOLLOW-UP.
I DO NOT FEEL, I'M SORRY, I
APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION THAT
BOTH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN DO,
INDIVIDUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
ACTIONS TO ADDRESS EITHER
INDIVIDUAL INSTANCES OF A
CAMPFIRE, AND THAT THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT CAN DO INDIVIDUAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS,
AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
PREYING ON PEOPLE IN
ENCAMPMENTS, BUT MY QUESTION
IS, WHAT IS, WHAT ARE THE
CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH YOU FEEL
I IS APPROPRIATE TO SHIFT FROM
AN INDIVIDUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
ACTION, TO BELIEVING THAT AN
ENTIRE ENCAMPMENT NEEDS TO BE
REMOVED FOR THE ACTIONS OF
THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THAT IS THE
PIECE I AM STRUGGLING TO
UNDERSTAND.
THANK YOU.
>> SHE SCOGGINS OR CHIEF BEST?
DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS.
>> WAS THAT DIRECTED TOWARDS
POLICE OR FIRE?
THE PROXIMITY OF THE TENTS IS
WHAT WE SEE.
WHEN PEOPLE CAMP IN LARGE
GROUPS AS THEY DO, AND WE SEE
IT.
AND WE SEE WHEN THE FIRE START,
THEY TRANSITION INTO BRUSH AND
FROM TENT TO TENT.
IT'S VERY REAL.
THAT'S WHAT WE SEE.
HUNDRED 26 FIRES, SINCE EVERY
28, IN ENCAMPMENTS.
THAT'S WHAT WE SEE.
>> I WILL DEFER TO CHIEF BEST.
AT SOME POINT COUNCILMEMBER I
DO HAVE A FEW THOUGHTS ON THIS.
>> CHIEF DO YOU WANT TO GO
FIRST?
>> YES, THANK YOU.
I WAS NOT QUICK ENOUGH ON AND
BEATING MYSELF.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LOOK
AT IS WHEN WE HAVE A LEVEL OF
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND ISSUES
OCCURRING WHERE IT IS NOT SAFE
TO SEND OFFICERS IN, BECAUSE
THERE'S SO MUCH CRIME AND
ACTIVITY, WE CANNOT SEE WHAT IS
HAPPENING, COVERT OPERATIONS,
WE ARE GETTING REPORTS OF
VIOLENCE, ACTS OF VIOLENCE,
PEOPLE BEING VICTIMIZED.
TO THE POINT THAT WE REALIZE IT
IS NOT JUST ONE INDIVIDUAL OR A
COUPLE INDIVIDUALS, WE HAVE A
CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE,
SITUATIONS WHERE WE HAVE PULLED
OUT METH, HEROIN, PILLS,
MACHETES, SWORDS, STOLEN
PROPERTY, GUNS, ALL OUT OF
ENCAMPMENTS.
NOT BECAUSE THERE WERE PEOPLE
THERE THAT WERE VULNERABLE BUT
BECAUSE THERE WERE BUT BECAUSE
THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE WHO ARE
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE
SITUATION AND EXPLOITING WHAT
WAS HAPPENING THERE.
MAKING IT INCREDIBLY UNSAFE FOR
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING THERE
AS WELL AS FOR THE OFFICERS,
THE FIREFIGHTERS, AND ANYONE
ELSE WHO WAS TRYING TO ADDRESS
ATTENDED.
WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO
CONSIDERATION.
>> TO HAVE COMMENTS NOW?
>> I WILL TRY TO KEEP THEM
BRIEF.
I APPRECIATE YOUR LINE OF
INQUIRY.
ON THIS POINT.
YOU AND I HAVE HAD SOME
DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT I DO
THINK THIS ILLUSTRATES ONE OF
THE CHALLENGES THAT COMES WITH
LEGISLATING THIS SPACE.
PART OF IT, AS WE'VE SEEN IN
THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES, THE
CHIEF STOCKINGS AND CHIEF BEST
RELIED UPON TO MAKE AND THEIR
TEAMS MAKE PROFESSIONAL
JUDGMENTS WITH A WHOLE HOST OF
HALF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH
WIND REMOVAL MAY BE NECESSARY
BASED ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY
COMPONENT, AND FOR THAT VERY
REASON, THE CHARTER EMPOWERS
THE CHIEF TO HAVE THAT
RESPONSIBILITY.
AND I THINK THE DIALOGUE IS
HEALTHY FOR YOU AND
COUNCILMEMBERS AND FOR THE
PUBLIC, TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF
THAT NUANCE AS FAR AS WHAT BOTH
CHIEFS AND THEIR DEPARTMENTS
HAVE TO CONSIDER BEFORE, IN A
CONSULTATION WITH, THE OTHER
COMPONENTS.
BEFORE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.
BUT FUNDAMENTALLY, THIS IS ONE
OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE SUCH
A STRONG OPINION ABOUT WHETHER
THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT
CAN BE LEGISLATED AND
PRESCRIBED AS OPPOSED TO THE
FACT THAT THERE SIMPLY TIMES
WHEN IT COMES TO THESE
SCENARIOS, THE EXECUTIVE NEED
SOME FLEXIBILITY IN ORDER TO
MANAGE A WHOLE HOST OF FACTORS.
I KNOW YOU APPRECIATE THIS AS
WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE
CONVERSATION AROUND THE DEED TO
THE OPEN TO DIALOGUE ABOUT
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN HOW
WE APPROACH THE SPACE AS FAR AS
OUR INTERNAL ADMINISTRATIVE
RULES.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS FOR
THAT REASON THAT ALONG WITH A
WHOLE HOST OF OTHER ELEMENTS OF
LEGISLATION THAT WE TALKED
ABOUT, IT MAKES THIS AN
INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED SPACE TO
LEGISLATE AND PUT IN PLACE THE
RIGIDITY, THE BILL ACTUALLY
GLANCED DOWN ON CHIEF BEST
ENTIRE FEDERAL BUDGET TO SOME
EXTENT.
IN THE PROVISO, IN ORDER TO BE
ENGAGED IN ENCAMPMENT REMOVALS.
DEPENDED UPON CONSULTATION WITH
LAW OR POLICY INTERPRETATION OF
THAT, THAT SEVERELY LIMITS THE
CHIEF'S ABILITY TO ADDRESS
THESE SITUATIONS IF WE ARE
UNABLE TO ACTUALLY HAVE THAT
CONVERSATION WITH THAT
FLEXIBILITY MEANS.
THIS IS FOR THE PRECISE REASON
WHY WE HAVE BEEN VERY RELUCTANT
TO GO DOWN THIS PATH OF A
LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION TO
SOMETHING THAT FRANKLY I
RECOGNIZE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE
MORE DIALOGUE.
>> I'M GOING TO JUMP IN.
I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IN MY
QUEUE QUESTIONS, I HAVE
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA,
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, IT IS
5:25, WE DO HAVE ANOTHER PANEL
AFTER THIS.
I APPRECIATE THE SEVERITY THIS
A VERY SENSITIVE ISSUE.
I THINK WE SHOULD CERTAINLY BE
TAKING OUR TIME WITH IT, TO
DISCUSS THIS.
I DID HAVE A QUICK FOLLOW-UP TO
THE LINE OF RESPONSE, I WANT TO
ASK, DEPUTY MAYOR, IS THE
EXECUTIVE IN A POSITION WHERE
WHERE THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO
HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THIS
COMMITTEE, AROUND SETTING UP
THE DISCUSSION TO ADDRESS THIS
THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATIVE
ROLES?
THAT IS HOW I READ YOUR LAST
RESPONSE TO COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD, I CAN SAY, FOR A
NUMBER OF THE MEMBERS, I WOULD
LOVE TO HAVE HOW WE CAN
STRUCTURE THAT, AND PROVIDE
SPACE TO TRY TO WORK SOME OF
THESE ISSUES OUT, THROUGH THAT
PROCESS.
I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE
TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE
TO FOLLOW UP AFTER THE MEETING
ABOUT HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO
SET A CONVERSATION LIKE THAT
OUT.
DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> I WILL ANSWER BRIEFLY.
AND ALSO, DEFER TO DEBBIE MAYER
SIX KILLER.
WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO THE
CONVERSATION OF CONTINUOUS
IMPROVEMENT AROUND THE SPACE.
THE ISSUE OF WHEN AND HOW WE
PROCEED, THAT'S A CONVERSATION
WE CAN HAVE AN EFFECT WE'VE HAD
MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
LOOKING AT THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS
OF HOW WE DO, NOT JUST THIS
WORK BUT AS FAR AS OUR ENTIRE
ENGAGEMENT, BUT THAT IS A
BROADER CONVERSATION, THAT WE
CAN TALK ABOUT INTERSUBJECTIVE
RESPONSIBILITIES AS WHERE WILL
IS THE BROADER SCOPE OF THE
ELEMENTS AND HOMELESS IS A
STRATEGY THAT MANY OF THE
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE TALKED
ABOUT, WE ARE COURSE HAPPY TO
HAVE THAT CONVERSATION BUT SAID
THAT IN THE CONTEXTS, THE
BROADER CONTEXT, ABOUT THE
ISSUES WE ARE DEALING WITH
COVID-19 RIGHT NOW, THE ISSUES
WE FACE WITH REGARD TO THE
RESOURCE ISSUES, AS
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND OTHERS
HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT.
BUT SETTING THAT IN A BROADER
CONTEXT IS BETTER THAN HAVING A
GRANULAR DISCUSSION ABOUT,
WE'VE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT
HOW THE USE OF THIS BLUNT
PARTICULAR INSTRUMENT IS GOING
TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT
OF WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE.
WE ARE OPEN TO THAT DIALOGUE.
>> THANK YOU.
DEPUTY MAYOR SIXKILLER?
I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE
ANYTHING TO ADD BEYOND WHAT HE
PROVIDED.
>> CERTAINLY, COUNT ON HEARING
FOR ME.
IN SHORT ORDER.
ABOUT FORMALIZING THAT
CONVERSATION BECAUSE I SHARE
YOUR EAGERNESS AND I WILL
CERTAINLY TAKE YOU UP ON YOUR
GENEROUS OFFER AND I APPRECIATE
YOU BRINGING THAT UP AS PART OF
THIS DISCUSSION.
DO WANT TO GET THE
OPPORTUNITIES TO MY COLLEAGUES,
WE HAVE FORMER QUESTIONS.
WERE FORMER LINES OF
QUESTIONING, I SHOULD SAY.
MORE ACCURATELY.
COUNCILMEMBER THANKS FOR BEING
PART OF THIS LINEUP, WE KNOW
YOUR TEAM AND YOU, YOURS
INCREDIBLY BUSY.
I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU ARE
DOING IN THIS TIME TO SAVE
LIVES AND PREVENT INFECTION.
I'M GOING TO PUT ASIDE THE
COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ABOUT
SAFETY, AND RECOGNIZING, NUMBER
ONE, THAT THE COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD HAS AN AMENDMENT THAT
CLARIFIES THE ABILITY FOR
FOLKS TO GO IN AND CONTINUED TO
MAINTAIN SAFETY AND NUMBER TWO,
BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS JUST
LAUNCHED THE LAST WEEK, THIS IS
A BODY THAT HAS BEEN VERY
SUPPORTIVE OF CO-LEAD AND I
THINK THERE'S SOME FRUSTRATION
THAT IT TOOK A WHILE TO LAUNCH.
I DO THINK THAT THE MORE WE CAN
GET CO-LEAD INTO THESE AREAS,
IN A TARGETED WAY, AS WAS
DESCRIBED EARLY ON IN A
CONVERSATION WITH FOLKS, IN A
WAY THAT RECOGNIZES WE HAVE
HIGH FRICTION AREAS, WE ARE
TARGETED, DIRECTED, AND WE DO
REFERRALS IN SPECIFIC SITES
HAVE AREAS OF CONCERN, WE CAN
SEE MORE PEOPLE GETTING HOUSE
INTO SERVICES THEY NEED.
SETTING ASIDE THOSE PUBLIC
SAFETY COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE
IN LARGE PART BY THE PANELS
EARLIER TODAY, I WANT TO ASK A
QUESTION SPECIFIC TO THIS
LEGISLATION.
TO YOUR QUESTION, SENIOR DEPUTY
DIRECTOR PHONE, WHAT IS THE
POINT OF IT, IT IS TO RESPOND
TO THE CDC GUIDANCE THAT SAYS,
IN THE CONTEXT OF SPREAD AND
TRANSMISSION THE RISK
ASSOCIATED WITH SLEEPING
OUTDOORS OR IN ENCAMPMENT
INDOORS IN A SUCH AS AN
EMERGENCY SHELTER OTHER
CONGREGANT LIVING FACILITY.
OUTER SETTINGS MAY ALLOW PEOPLE
TO INCREASE PHYSICAL DISTANCING
BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND OTHERS."
THERE, THAT IS THE INTENT TO
SAY, IF WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH
HOUSING, AND WE DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH PERMANENT HOUSING, TO
BRING HOUSING, EVEN TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES, WHAT IS OUR
ALTERNATIVE.
ORIGINALLY, WHEN I WAS LOOKING
AND TALKING WITH FOLKS IN THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND ACROSS OUR
COLLEAGUES, I THINK THERE WAS A
SHARED INTEREST IN TRYING TO
IDENTIFY AS MUCH FUNDING AS
POSSIBLE TO OPEN UP TO OPEN UP
OX OPTIONS THAT WERE NOT
CONGREGANT, BUT EVEN WITH THE
NON-CONGREGANT SETTINGS YOU
HAVE OPENED UP, WE DO NOT HAVE
ENOUGH HOUSING, ORIGINALLY WE
WANTED TO ASK HOW WE COULD MOVE
THE 500 PEOPLE WHO ARE
CURRENTLY IN CONGREGANT
SETTINGS INTO INDIVIDUAL ROOMS,
AND THEN THE REMOVAL OF THE
INTERNET WHAT HAPPENS.
I THINK THE QUESTION BECAME,
INSTEAD OF POSTING A SIGN, THAT
WILL CREATE THE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCE OF PEOPLE
DISPERSING INTO THE COMMUNITY
AS THE CDC TALKS ABOUT, WHAT
CAN WE DO TO FIRST GET FOLKS
AND HOUSING, I DO HOPE THE
AMENDMENTS THAT CENTRAL STAFF
WALK-THROUGH WITH THE SUPPORT
OF THE PRIME SPONSOR, I HOPE
THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT THE
INTENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT
FOLKS GET INTO HOUSING, AND
INTO THE SAFE HOUSING THAT THE
CDC HAS DEEMED NECESSARY DURING
THIS TIME OF COVID PRIOR TO ANY
HOSTING GOING UP.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT,
DURING A DECLARED PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY, COULD CAUSE DEATH,
AND TREMENDOUS HARM TO OUR
COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO PUT THAT INTO CONTEXT.
I SPENT A LOT OF TIME FOCUSED
ON HOW WE ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL
FUNDING TO NON-CONGREGANT
SETTINGS, THIS COUNSEL HAS
ALLOCATED $1.4 BILLION OF THE
FUNDS TO USE FOR NON-CONGREGANT
SHELTER SETTINGS, WE HAVE
ONGOING CONVERSATIONS I KNOW
WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEXT FEW
WEEKS ABOUT THE 13 MILLIONS OF
THE STATE HAS ALLOCATED
SPECIFICALLY FOR NON-CONGREGANT
HOUSING, PPE, HEALTH SERVICES
AND MAIL DELIVERY, THAT WAS
PART OF OUR GRANT I'M LOOKING
FORWARD TO DEPLOYING THOSE
DOLLARS AND WE HAVE FEMA
DOLLARS THAT CAN BE USED NOW,
IF WE AS GENERAL FUND WE CAN
GET 75% REIMBURSEMENT IF WE
SPEND IT ON RESPONDING TO THE
PANDEMIC AND GETTING FOLKS OUT
OF NON-CONGREGANT SHELTERS.
I'M ASKING, VERY POINTED
QUESTION, IF WE DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH HOUSING, AND WE HAVE
ENTRY HOTEL ROOMS FOR EXAMPLE,
CAN WE WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO
GET FOLKS INTO HOTELS AND MOTELS
AS THE CDC SAYS?
THAT'S QUESTION NUMBER ONE.
QUESTION NUMBER TWO IS, IF
THERE IS SOME PHILOSOPHICAL
OBJECTION ABOUT USING HOTEL
ROOMS, AND/OR A DIFFERENCE OF
OPINION ON THE POLICY SUCCESS
DESPITE THE SEATTLE TIMES
COVERAGE ON WHAT HAPPENED AT
THE RED LION, IF THERE IS A
BARRIER TO GETTING FOLKS INTO
INDIVIDUAL ROOMS, CAN YOU TALK
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOUSING
OPTIONS, YOU WOULD CONSIDER SO
THAT WE CAN GET THE 500 PEOPLE
IN CONGREGANT SETTINGS INTO
INDIVIDUAL ROOMS TO PROTECT
THEIR HEALTH, AND HAVE A PLACE
THAT WE CAN RESPOND TO THE CDC
GUIDANCE THAT GETS PEOPLE INTO
INDIVIDUAL ROOMS OR NONCOVERED
SOLDIERS, PRIOR TO ANY POSTING
OF THAT.
I BELIEVE FOR THE DEPUTY
MAYORS, AND THE EXECUTIVE, IF I
COULD BE SO BOLD TO ASK, IF IN
YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH PUBLIC
HEALTH OFFICIALS, HAVE YOU
TALKED AT ALL ABOUT CREATIVE
STRATEGIES THAT ARE PERHAPS NOT
INDIVIDUAL ROOMS IN HOTELS AND
MOTELS BUT ARE THERE OTHER
TYPES OF SETTINGS THAT YOU,
FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH
PERSPECTIVE HAVE SEEN AS BEST
PRACTICES DURING THIS TIME,
THAT WOULD BE ALTERNATIVES TO
FOLKS LIVING IN TENTS?
EVEN THOUGH THE CDC RECOGNIZES
THAT SOMETIMES THAT IS SAFER
THAN GOING INSIDE, ARE THERE
OTHER TYPES OF STRUCTURES THAT
WE ARE NOT THINKING OF?
I HOPE THAT IS OKAY TO ASK OF
YOU.
THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.
>> LET ME START, I'M SURE
OTHERS WILL FILL IN.
COUNCILMEMBER THANK YOU FOR
YOUR QUESTION.
YOU AND I HAVE SPENT QUITE A
BIT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THIS,
THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS.
AS WELL AS OTHER TOPICS.
NUMBER ONE, THE EXECUTIVE
AGREES, WE NEED TO BE MAKING
EVERY EFFORT TO GET PEOPLE
INSIDE.
THAT EFFORT BEGAN WELL BEFORE
COVID-19.
AS PART OF THE MAYOR'S PATH AS
WELL AS THE 95 UNITS WE BROUGHT
ON DURING THIS PERIOD OF COVID-
19.
AND SO I WOULD SAY TO EVERYONE,
WE ARE DOING, A TREMENDOUS
AMOUNT OF WORK TO BRING PEOPLE
INSIDE.
NAVIGATION TEAM SINCE MARCH HAS
HELPED GET 300 PEOPLE INSIDE
THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN LIVING
IN SHELTERED.
NUMBER TWO, WE ARE OPEN TO A
CONVERSATION, AND WE CONTINUE
TO DO THAT WORK, AS PART OF
THEIR RESPONSE.
I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE MANY OF
THOSE CONVERSATIONS, THAT IS
NOT THE TOPIC OF THE
CONVERSATION TODAY.
WE ARE HAPPY TO COME BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE AND TALK MORE ABOUT
HOW WE ARE, DIFFERENT HOUSING
OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE MADE
AVAILABLE AS A CITY, AND IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY.
BUT I ALSO SAY, THE CDC
GUIDANCE, THE CDC GUIDANCE,
ALSO SPEAKS TO HOW THE STEPS WE
CAN TAKE TO MAKE CONGREGANT
SHELTER SAFE.
AND WE ARE DOING THAT.
WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT AND
WORKING WITH PROVIDERS SINCE
THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE GUIDANCE FROM PUBLIC
HEALTH, THE COUNTY HOW TO DO
THAT.
WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER,
THAT ALLOWS US TO SEEK
REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDING FROM
THE FEMA TO MAKE SHELTERS,
CONGREGANT SHELTERS CONSISTENT
WITH CDC GUIDANCE.
I WANT TO BE CAREFUL, AS WE
TARGET OPTIONS, BRINGING
ADDITIONAL OPTION, OPTIONS,
MAKING ADDITIONAL SHELTER
OPTIONS AVAILABLE, WE DON'T
DEMONIZE, WORK AT SHELTER.
THAT IS NOT WHAT THE CDC HAS
SAID.
I DON'T THINK IT EVER WILL BE A
PART OF OUR HOMELESSNESS
RESPONSE.
WITH THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS
TODAY LIVING IN CONGREGANT
SHELTER.
IS IMPORTANT, FIRST UNDERSTAND.
ONE THIRD OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS
THAT ARE IN SHELTERED A BETTER
THAT ARE UNSHELTERED HAVE BEEN
MOVED INTO SOME KIND OF
SHELTER UNIT, WITH SUPPORT FROM
THE CITY, AS I SAID DURING
OPENING COMMENTS, IS HSD
CUSTODY MONEY THAT IS PROVIDING
THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES
INCLUDING AT THE RED LION, IS
OPERATED BY DSC.
WE ARE OPEN TO THAT
CONVERSATION AND OPEN TO
TALKING ABOUT WHAT, ARE BEST
PRACTICES, AS WE CONTINUE TO
LEARN MORE ABOUT COVID-19 AND
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS GOING TO
BE A MIX OF THINGS, WHETHER
CONGREGANT SHELTER, HOTELS,
TINY HOMES OR, AND EVERY THING
IN BETWEEN.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU ON THAT IN THE COMMITTEE
AND COUNSEL, AND LOOKING AT
WHAT RESOURCES WE HAVE
AVAILABLE TO US AS PART OF
COVID-19 RESPONSE BUT ALSO
UNDERSTANDING, THAT AT SOME
POINT, FEMA WILL DECLARE THAT
THIS IS NO LONGER AN EMERGENCY.
AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO
MAKE SURE, AS THE SENIOR DEPUTY
MAYOR FONG MENTIONED, THAT ARE
$300 MILLION BUDGET CAN'T
SUSTAIN ANY NEW INVESTMENTS WE
ARE MAKING OVER THE LONG-TERM.
AGAIN, AND MUCH LARGER
CONVERSATION THAN THE TOPIC
TODAY, ON THIS PARTICULAR
LEGISLATION, AND I LOOK FORWARD
TO ENGAGING WITH YOU, I KNOW
YOU HAVE A LOT OF IDEAS AND
SUGGESTIONS.
WE WANT TO WORK WITH TOGETHER
WITH YOU TO SEE WHAT IS
POSSIBLE.
>> I WANT TO CLARIFY.
I DO APPRECIATE WHEN YOU HAVE A
CONVERSATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS
IN THE BUDGET, IN A POST, BUT
WORLD WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE,
THANK YOU.
I NEED TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS
A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW MANY
OPEN ROOMS WE HAVE OR HOW MANY
BASE, HOW MUCH SPACE WE HAVE,
THAT ALLOWS FOLKS TO GET OUT OF
THE CABIN SETTINGS, THE CDC
GUIDANCE IS SAYING TO US THAT
WE DON'T HAVE, IF THE CDC
GUIDANCE IS SAYING TO US THAT
WE DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM
HOUSING, WE ARE SAYING, WE WANT
TO PUT FOLKS INTO TEMPORARY
HOUSING, HOTELS, MOTELS, WE
NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN
ALTERNATIVE FOR THEM TO GET OUT
OF THE STREETS, I THINK WE ALL
HAVE A SHARED GOAL, PEOPLE ARE
GOING TO BE SAFER AND HEALTHIER
IF THEY HAVE THAT ROOM.
IF THEY HAVE THE STAFF CAPACITY
AND THE MEALS THAT THEY NEED.
I GET THAT THERE IS A DOLLAR
QUESTION.
BUT DO WE HAVE ANY SHELTER
CAPACITY RIGHT NOW?
ARE WE STILL TRYING TO GET
FOLKS OUT OF CONGREGANT
SHELTERS?
AND IF WE DON'T HAVE CAPACITY,
AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET FOLKS
OUT OF CONGREGANT SHELTERS,
WHAT IS THE EXIT STRATEGY?
WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE FOR
FOLKS IF YOU ARE SUGGESTING
THAT HELPING THEM WITH THE
SANITATION THAT IS BEEN
REQUESTED BY THE CDC, IS AN
ALTERNATIVE DURING THIS TIME OF
COVID-19 IS NOT APPROPRIATE.
WHAT CAPACITY WE HAVE TO HOUSE
LOOKS RIGHT NOW AND THESE
HOUSING OPTIONS?
>> I WANT TO SAY, WE HAVE
CONGREGANT SHELTER, IS NOT
UNSAFE, AND AGAIN, I'M VERY
CONCERNED ABOUT IT PUBLIC
NARRATIVE SUGGESTING OTHERWISE.
úBY TESTING, THERE IS NOT BEEN
AN OUTBREAK IN AGGREGATE
SHELTERS.
WE HAVE ONE INSTANCE OF THAT
BUT THAT IS WHAT DIRECTOR HAYES
REFERENCE, THOSE INDIVIDUALS,
THEY WERE FED INTO THE SYSTEM
THAT WE DEVELOPED TO GET THEM
INTO QUARANTINE ISOLATION, TO
GET THEM THE RESOURCES THEY
NEED TO MAKE SURE WE COULD
CONTROL ...
>> AND I JUMP IN FOR A SECOND,
I THINK THERE MIGHT'VE BEEN A
MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA AND THE
PANEL.
I DON'T THINK COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA WAS CATEGORICALLY
SUGGESTING THAT THE D
INTENSIFIED CONGREGANT
SETTINGS, AND FOLLOW THE
GUIDELINES.
I THINK THE COUNCILMEMBER
QUESTIONS WAS MORE TO DO WE
HAVE AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF
THOSE PLACEMENTS?
TO ACCOUNT FOR A ONE-FOR-ONE
OFFER IN THE CAM AND REMOVAL.
I'M LOOKING AT HER TO SEE IF I
ACCURATELY PHRASING, I THINK
THAT WAS MORE OF HER QUESTION
THEN LOWE'S
>> AS I SAID, IN THE FOURTH
QUARTER OF LAST YEAR WE
CONDUCTED 300 REMOVALS.
WE HAVE DONE FOR SINCE MARCH.
AND EVERY INSTANCE, WE HAD A
SHELTER BED OF SOME KIND
AVAILABLE TO EVERY SINGLE
PERSON WHO WAS THERE THE DAY OF
THE ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL.
>> GOING FORWARD WITH THE
CURRENT POSTURE OF THE CITIES
POSSIBLY FUTURE PLANS REMOVALS,
IS THAT A POLICY THE CITY
INTENDS TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT
THE EMERGENCY?
IT WOULD BE THE LOGICAL
EXTENSION OF THAT QUESTION.
>> IT IS ALWAYS, IT IS BEEN AND
WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUR
PRIORITY IS TO GET PEOPLE
INSIDE.
AGAIN, ALL FOUR OF THESE
ACTIONS FOLLOW WEEKS AND WEEKS
OF INTENSIVE ENGAGEMENT BY THE
NAVIGATION TEAM AND OTHER
OUTREACH WORKERS.
AND WE HAVE OTHER TOOLS THAT
ARE COMING ON AS WELL.
AGAIN, THE REASON I KEEP
QUOTING THE 300 REMOVALS VERSUS
THE FOREST BECAUSE CONSISTENTLY
THE CDC GUIDANCE, WE ARE
LEAVING PEOPLE, IN PLACE.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE
COUNCILMEMBER, THAT
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA WAS
GETTING THE ANSWER TO YOUR
QUESTION.
I THOUGHT THERE WAS WAS THERE
ANOTHER BASTION COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA YOU HAD FOR DIRECTOR
HAYES?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FOR DIRECTOR HAYES, JUST
WONDERING IF THERE'S OTHER BEST
PRACTICES YOU HAVE SEEN ACROSS
THE COUNTRY AND OTHER BUDDHIST
POLITIES, THAT YOU THOUGHT OF
ALTERNATIVES TO CONGREGANT
SHELTERS AND WHAT TYPE OF THE
INTENSIFICATION STRATEGIES YOU
HAVE SEEN THAT MAY BE SHORT OF
A HOTEL ROOM IF WE HAD A POLICY
ROADBLOCK ON THAT, DO YOU HAVE
OTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WHAT
MAY BE ARGUED PRACTICES TO
DEPLOY.
I'M SORRY FOR FRAMING THAT SO
STRANGELY.
>> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE
SAYING.
I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE, SAID
U.S. A QUESTION TRYING TO
THINK.
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO THINK
RIGHT NOW, NOTHING IS COMING TO
MIND RIGHT NOW.
ON THE NATIONAL CALL, WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT THIS, REALLY,
THEY DEPLOYED SUCH A WIDE RANGE
ALREADY, I SPEND MORE TIME
TALKING ABOUT HOW WE GOT TO THE
STRATEGIES ACTUALLY OF THE
INTENSIFICATION, WHAT THAT
MEANT.
BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, IN THE
PAST, WITH THE MODEL THAT WAS
USED AS YOU WILL RECALL, IN SAN
DIEGO FOR THE HEPATITIS A
OUTBREAK, WE HAD TALKED ABOUT
THIS AT THE BOARD OF HEALTH, A
LARGE, I'M ACTUALLY REALLY
GRATEFUL, BECAUSE THE DE-
INTENSIFICATION THE WAY THEY
RESTRUCTURE, NOW WE CAN GET
FEMA TENTS THAT WE ACTUALLY
TALKED WITH CDC ABOUT, THEY CAN
ACTUALLY GET ENOUGH AIR FLOW IF
IT IS TALL ENOUGH.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU
COULD SEE ONE OF OUR UP AT
SHORELINES THAT WE HAD, CDC
ACTUALLY LOOK AT THAT FOR THE
AIRFLOW IN IT.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINKING BY
FOLKS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL ON
HOW DO YOU TAKE SOMETHING THAT
MIGHT HAVE BEEN LOOKING THIS
WAY BEFORE, AND MODIFY IT TO
THE NEEDS WE NEED.
SO I WILL CONTINUE AND LOOK
FORWARD TO THINKING ABOUT THAT
WITH YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE HAVE TWO QUESTIONS LEFT.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT THE FLOOR
IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU.
JUST A FEW THINGS, I THINK
SENIOR DEPUTY MAYOR FONG MAY
HAVE BEEN MORE HONEST IN THE
SENSE THAT I THINK HE CALLED
THE QUESTION, WHETHER OR NOT,
THERE SEEMS TO BE A FUNDAMENTAL
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MAYOR'S
OFFICE AND SOME COUNCILMEMBERS,
AND MYSELF INCLUDED.
ON WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNSEL
HAS THE HIGHEST LEGISLATIVE
BODY HAS THE RIGHT TO LEGISLATE
ANY ASPECT, ESPECIALLY IN THE
SITUATION WE ARE IN, WITH A
PANDEMIC, BECAUSE, THEY'RE
EXAGGERATED IS WHAT THIS
LEGISLATION WOULD ACTUALLY DO,
AND I DON'T AGREE WITH, THE
CHARACTERIZATIONS FROM THE
MAYOR, THAT THIS IS GOING TO
TIE THEIR HANDS, CLAMPDOWN ON
THE ABILITY TO DO ANYTHING.
NONE OF THAT IS TRUE.
IT'S A VERY REASONABLE
PROPOSAL.
AND IT IS BASED ON CDC
GUIDELINES.
I DO THINK THAT MAYBE IT IS
BETTER TO BE HONEST AND I DO
APPRECIATE, I DON'T THINK THE
DEPUTY MAYOR THAT THAT WAS THE
INTENTION BUT THERE WAS AN
ARTICULATION OF THE FACT THAT
THERE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A
DIFFERENCE ON THAT, BEFORE THE
DISCUSSIONS WERE HAD, YOU KNOW
WHERE WE ALL ARE.
THAT IS ONE THING.
THE OTHER, I'M QUITE STRUCK BY
CHIEF BEST, USING THE WORD
CRIME SHOWED UP SO MANY TIMES,
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOMELESS
PEOPLE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE.
IS NOT HELPING ME TO BE HONEST,
IT'S NOT HELPING ME FOR SPD
CHIEF BEST TO KEEP SAYING IT'S
NOT THE HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO ARE
THE CRIMINALS.
OKAY, FINE.
THAT'S EVEN WORSE BECAUSE
YOU'RE ADMITTING THAT THE
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WAS NOT BEING
ENGAGED IN BY THE PEOPLE WHO
WERE EVEN LIVING THERE.
IN OTHER WORDS THE CASE FOR THE
CRIMINALS WERE NOT LIVING
THERE.
AND SO, THE PEOPLE WHO ENDED UP
GETTING SWEPT WERE INNOCENT
VICTIMS BY YOUR OWN ADMISSION.
IT IS TRUE THAT THE PEOPLE,
WERE VICTIMS OF THE SUITE,
THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT
INITIATING ANY KIND OF CRIMINAL
PROCEEDINGS.
I THINK THAT SHOULD LEAD TO
COUNCILMEMBERS FEELING QUITE
DISTURBED BY THIS.
BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OWN
ADMISSION THAT IS TRUE.
I ALSO WANT TO NOTE, I'M NOT
GOING TO ASK MY QUESTIONS AGAIN
BUT I WANT TO NOTE FOR THE
RECORD THAT I DID NOT GET ANY
CONCRETE ANSWERS FROM ANY OF
THE PANELISTS FROM THE MAYOR'S
REPRESENTATIVES, ABOUT WHAT
ACTUALLY, WHERE MY CONCRETE
QUESTIONS, WHAT IS ACTUALLY
GOING TO HAPPEN TO PEOPLE, WHO
ARE BEING SWEPT RIGHT NOW, AS
FAR AS THIS THING IS A BLACK
BOX, WE DON'T KNOW WHO THEY
ARE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON
NARRATIVE, IT IS NOT JUST IN
THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, DEPUTY
MAYOR SIXKILLER, THIS IS
SOMETHING SUCCESSIVE LAYERS,
REPRESENTING THE POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT HAVE HAD THIS
LINE, THE SUPPLICATION THAT
THEY ARE WILLFULLY ABUSING
SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE GOOD
FOR THEM, THAT THERE'S
SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM.
WE DON'T BUY INTO THAT
NARRATIVE.
THERE IS ZERO EVIDENCE TO PROVE
THAT.
AS I SAID, NOT A SINGLE
HOMELESS PERSON HAS COME TO ME
AND SAID IN PUBLIC IS IT
ACTUALLY, THE SWEEP HELP ME,
MOST PEOPLE, PEOPLE DON'T
ACCEPT THAT BECAUSE OF THE
TIPPERARY NATURE OF THE, THERE
ARE MANY THINGS TO GO INTO WHY
PEOPLE REFUSE THOSE THINGS.
YOU HEARD FROM PUBLIC
TESTIMONIALS, HOW PEOPLE ARE
FORCED TO SEPARATE FROM THEIR
PETS, FROM THEIR LOVED ONES,
THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US,
WHO ARE HOUSE, WE SHOULD NOT BE
DEMANDING THAT FROM PEOPLE WHO
ARE HOMELESS.
BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.
AND THEY END UP LOSING WHAT
LITTLE THEY DO HAVE.
AND HOMELESS NEIGHBORS, THEY
HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
RESPONSE WHEN THEY'RE OFFERED
SOMETHING LIKE A TINY HOUSE
VILLAGE, WITH CASE MANAGEMENT,
WITH PROPER RESTROOMS.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN
HEARING WHAT THE NEXT PANEL HAS
TO SAY ABOUT THE QUESTIONS THAT
I BROUGHT UP.
AND A NO, I THINK IT'S A IT'S
RINGING A LITTLE BIT HOLLOW TO
SAY THAT WE ARE DOING
EVERYTHING TO FIND PERMANEN
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES, THE OTHER
THING IN THE ROOM IS THE LACK
OF REVENUES, THERE'S AN ACTUAL
PROPOSAL, MY OFFICE HAS BROUGHT
FORWARD, FOR THE AMAZON TAX, AN
ACTUAL PROPOSAL.
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IT BRING
YOUR PROPOSAL FOR REVENUES BUT
REPEATEDLY STATING THAT $300
MILLION, STATING, RESTATING
$300 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL,
AS IF IT'S AN ACT OF GOD, I
THINK THAT HAS TO BE REJECTED.
IS BASICALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING,
IS A POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT IS
IMPOSING AUSTERITY ALREADY IN
THE RECESSION HAS ONLY BEGUN, I
DON'T ACCEPT THE $300 MILLION
BUDGET SHORTFALL, AS A GIVEN,
IT'S A QUESTION OF POLITICAL
PRIORITIES.
ARE GOING TO ACTUALLY RAISE THE
REVENUES, AND THAT APPLIES TO
MAKING HOUSING AND TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES AND OTHER OPTIONS
AVAILABLE THAT PEOPLE CAN
ACCEPT AND COME OUT OF THESE
ACCOUNTS.
WE ALL AGREE OF COURSE THAT
ENCAMPMENTS ARE NOT A SOLUTION,
>> CAN YOU ASK YOUR QUESTION
PANELS, I'M SORRY IN THE
INTEREST OF TIME.
>> I-40 SAID BUT I WANT TO SAY.
I DON'T APPRECIATE ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS ALLOWED A LOT OF
TIME TO PREFACE THEIR ARGUMENTS
AND QUESTIONS POLITICALLY, AND
I HAVE THE SAME RIGHT BECAUSE
I'M ALSO AN ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVE.
AND I WANT TO NOTE THAT I DID
NOT GET ANY CONCRETE RESPONSES
I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN
HEARING THE PANEL ON THE SAME
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SENIOR DEPUTY MAYOR FONG DO IT
RESPOND?
>> I DO APPRECIATE THE
MAJORITY OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
COMMENTS, I WILL INTERPRET AS
RHETORICAL.
ON THE ONE POINT, I TRULY
RESPECT THE RIGHT OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO LEGISLATE.
IF ANYONE CAN APPRECIATE IT IS
SOMEONE WHO HAS WORKED HAVE HIS
CAREER IN THE LEGISLATVE
DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD REMINDER THE COUNCIL
THAT THE LEGISLATION IN THE
FORM THAT IT IS TAKEN HERE IN
THIS CASE, HIS EMERGENCY
LEGISLATION UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF
THE CHARTER.
AS SUCH, SINCE LEGISLATION
REQUIRES THE CONCURRENCE OF THE
MAYOR.
IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTUATED.
BY DEFINITION, THIS PARTICULAR
APPROACH TO LEGISLATION
REQUIRES A COLLABORATIVE
APPROACH WITH THE COUNCIL OF
THE MAYOR.
GIVEN THAT WE WERE NOT
CONSULTED PRIOR TO THE BILLS
DRAFTING, AND A FORMAL
INTRODUCTION, NOR ANY CITY
DEPARTMENTS BEING CONSULTED
PRIOR TO INTRODUCTION, I HAVE
TO TAKE ISSUE WITH THE
REFERENCE THAT I AM NOT
CHALLENGING THE RIGHT OF THE
LEGISLATURE, THE COUNCIL HAS A
RIGHT TO LEGISLATE.
BUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE
THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED, IS ONE
THAT CLEARLY STATES IN ARTICLE
4 THAT NEEDS THE MAYOR'S
CONCURRENCE IN ORDER TO BE
EFFECTUATED.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT FOR
THE RECORD.
AS I DID NOT HEAR THE CENTRAL
STAFF OR THE CHAIR SPEAK TO THE
EMERGENCY ORDINANE TO THE
NATURE OF THIS BILL.
AT THE FRONT OF THE MEETING.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
ME ONE FINAL QUESTION FOR THIS
PANEL, AT THAT POINT, I MAY
HAVE A FINAL CLOSING QUESTION.
BUT COUNCILMEMBER MORALES THE
FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> I'M HAPPY TO ASK MY
QUESTION.
I DID THINK THAT I HEARD
COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ HAD A
QUESTION.
I WILL DEFER TO HER .
>> COUNCILMEMBER GONZALEZ HAS
RUDOCK WITH QUESTION.
>> OKAY.
>> THANK YOU I APPRECIATE THAT.
I'VE AT LEAST THREE PAGES WORTH
OF QUESTIONS.
IN THE INTEREST OF TIME I'M
GOING TO FORGO ASKING, GOING TO
MY DEPOSITION OUTLINE AT THIS
TIME.
AND I WILL YIELD MY TIME TO YOU
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> OKAY.
I'M ALSO TROUBLED BY WHAT I'M
HEARING, FROM THE THE
CRIMINALITY, AND THE
CONVERSATION AROUND
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE DRUG
TRAFFICKING AND OTHER PROBLEMS
THAT ARE HAPPENING, ARE
ACTUALLY HAPPENING, THERE
PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT
IN, AND THAT IS STILL BEING
USED AS AN EXCUSE TO REMOVE THE
ENTIRE ENCAMPMENTS.
THIS BILL DOES NOTHING TO
INTERFERE WITH THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY TO ENGAGE
IN THE DAILY SORT OF ACTIVITY
THAT THEY NEED TO DO TO
IDENTIFY THE INDIVIDUALS WHO
ARE PERPETRATING WHATEVER THEY
MIGHT BE PERPETRATING.
BUT THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM
SAYING THAT THAT IS A REASON TO
REMOVE PEOPLE ENTIRELY,
ESPECIALLY IF YOU KNOW THAT THE
PEOPLE THEMSELVES, WHO BY THE
WAY, THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE
LIVING, NOT ENGAGED IN THE
ACTIVITY.
I'M SURE WE WILL FOLLOW UP ON
THAT.
BUT I DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION
WHICH IS, I DID NOT HEAR THE
ANSWER ALTHOUGH I HEARD IT
ASKED A COUPLE OF TIMES.
I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY COVID
CASES WE HAVE IDENTIFIED WE
KNOW ABOUT BOTH IN ENCAMPMENTS
AND IN THE CONGREGANT SHELTERS.
I'M ALSO CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT THE
PLAN IS FOR DISTRIBUTING MASKS
TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPRESSING
HOMELESSNESS.
AND THEN THE LAST QUESTION THAT
I HAVE IS, I FEEL LIKE I ASKED
THIS BEFORE.
AND DID NOT GET AN ANSWER.
HOW THE NAVIGATION TEAM IS
TRACKING SHELTER REFERRALS.
I WILL LEAVE THOSE THERE.
AND LISTENED TO WHAT YOU HAVE
TO SAY.
>> I WILL TAKE THE FIRST, SORRY
I MISSED THIS QUESTION.
OFF TODAY'S REPORT, WE DON'T
HAVE A CATEGORY FOR
ENCAMPMENTS.
THAT I CAN SEE.
I WILL CHECK ON IT AND GET BACK
TO THE CANCEL ON THAT.
ON THE COUNCIL ON THAT.
WE HAVEN'T SHELTERS, THERE ARE
TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 27 SHELTERS
THAT HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE CASE
AND JUST ONE DEATH.
IN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WE HAD
23.
AND IF HAD AT LEAST ONE CASE
AND FIVE IN THAT AREA.
AND THAT IS TOTAL.
THAT IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF
CURRENT OUTBREAK WHICH WE MOVE
SOMEBODY TO, WE MOVED A
FACILITY, IF THEY GOT TWO WEEKS
WITHOUT.
I WILL ASK, WE HAVE 46 TOTAL
CASES AND AGAIN TOTAL CASES AND
HOMELESSNESS IS 266.
SO THERE'S 46 THAT ARE ISOLATED
CASES.
THE CATCHALL FOR THAT EITHER
THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN LINKED
BETWEEN A SHELTER AND OUTSIDE
OR SOMEPLACE ELSE, OR WE DON'T
KNOW WHERE THEY WERE OR THEY
COULD BE IN A CAR I SUPPOSE.
I WILL GET THAT AND GET DETAILS
FOR YOU.
THAT IS FROM TODAY'S REPORT.
>> LET ME, THE REFERRALS WE'VE
MADE IN THE SHELTER SINCE THE
BEGINNING OF MARCH, WE HAVE
BEEN TRACKING ALL OF THOSE
REFERRALS, AS IS GENERALLY,,
WERE REFERRALS HAVE BEEN
ACCEPTED.
ON HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT
INFORMATION TO THE COMMITTEE TO
SEE, WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IN
THIS PERIOD OF TIME, 70% OF
REFERRALS BEING ACCEPTED.
IS UP FROM 40% PRE-COVID.
I THINK THAT IS A REFLECTION OF
THE NAVIGATION TEAM'S INTENSIVE
EFFORTS ON THE GROUND.
NOT JUST IN ENCAMPMENTS BUT
AROUND THE CITY.
IT TURNS IN TERMS OF TRACKING,
I WOULD SAY, THE NAVIGATION
TEAM MAKES REFERRALS INTO
SHELTERS, AND THEN COORDINATES
THEIR ENTRY INTO THAT SHELTER.
IT'S THE SHELTER'S
RESPONSIBILITY, THE PROVIDER'S
RESPONSIBILITY I SHOULD SAY, TO
ENROLL THAT INDIVIDUAL AND HMI
S, AND THEN PERFORM A COVID-19
SCREENING, AGAIN, ASSUMING,
AGAIN, BASED ON THE PARTNERSHIP
WE HAVE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH, THE
NAVIGATION TEAM IS ENGAGING
INDIVIDUALS ON THE STREET WHO
HAVE SYMPTOMATIC, WHO ARE THERE
PRESENTING SYMPTOMS, OR HAVE
SOME OTHER MEDICAL CONDITION OR
WE HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE,
PUBLIC HEALTH BELIEVES THEY
BEAT NEEDING MEDICAL ATTENTION
OR TESTING, THAT IS SOMETHING
THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS IN THE
LEAD ON AND WORKING WITH OUR
TEAM ON AS WELL.
AND THEN SPECIFICALLY, EN
MASSE, WE HAVE PURCHASED MASKS
AND SUPPLIES, THEY BEEN MADE
AVAILABLE TO SERVICE PROVIDERS
INCLUDING THE NAVIGATION TEAM
FOR DISTRIBUTION.
MASKS.
I CAN SEND YOU, I BELIEVE WE
SENT A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT
THAT.
I'M HAPPY TO FORWARD THAT TO
YOUR OFFICE AS WELL.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUICK
CLOSING QUESTIONS, AND I WOULD
APPRECIATE QUICK RESPONSES FROM
THE PANELISTS AND I DON'T KNOW,
DEPUTY MAYOR SIXKILLER IF THIS
IS BETTER FOR YOU OR SENIOR
DEPUTY MAYOR FONG, BUT AS
MAYOR DURKIN TO OUTLINED
EARLIER, SENIOR DEPUTY MAYOR
FONG, WE ARE WELL AWARE OF THE
POSTURE OF THIS LEGISLATION
THAT IT IS EMERGENCY
LEGISLATION.
IF SEVEN OF US VOTE FOR IT AND
SEND IT TO THE MAYOR, REQUIRES
THE MAYOR'S ASSENT.
DEPUTY MAYOR SIXKILLER OR
DEPUTY MAYOR FONG, IS THERE
ANY PATHWAY GIVEN THE
AMENDMENTS THAT A BEEN
INTRODUCED, AND GIVEN THE
DISCUSSION TODAY WHERE YOU CAN
ENVISION ASSENT FROM THE
EXECUTIVE ON THIS LEGISLATION?
AND IF SO, WHAT KIND OF CHANGES
WITH THE EXECUTIVE WANT TO SEE?
>> COUNCILMEMBER I WILL TAKE A
STAB AT THAT.
I SAID A COUPLE OF TIMES,
THROUGH THE COURSE OF OUR
SPIRITED DISCUSSION THIS
AFTERNOON, THAT FUNDAMENTALLY,
THEY SIMPLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT
THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE WITH
REGARD TO KEVIN ROBLE'S WE
THINK THAT WE ARE OPEN TO
DIALOGUE, AS I SAID A COUPLE OF
TIMES, IN THIS DISCUSSION, TO
LOOK AT CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
EFFORT ROUNDER POLICIES.
THEY WILL DECIDE THAT SOME
ISSUES THAT WILL RAISE ARE FAR
BEYOND THE ISSUE OF INCOME AND
REMOVAL.
IT SPEAKS TO A BROADER POLICY
AND STRATEGY AROUND OUR OVERALL
EFFORTS AROUND HOMELESSNESS.
I COMMIT TO YOU ON BEHALF OF
THE EXECUTIVE, THAT WE WELCOME
THE CONVERSATION, AND FRANKLY,
WHETHER WELCOME, WE HAVE TO
HAVE A CONVERSATION.
THE TRUTH IS AS WE GO INTO THIS
BUDGET BALANCING PROCESS FOR
2020, HOMELESSNESS IS A
SIGNIFICANT ISSUE THAT WE WILL
ALL ENGAGE AROUND POLICY
DISCUSSION ABOUT.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
WE DON'T THINK THAT THIS BILL
RELATED TO ENCAMPMENT REMOVALS
IS REALLY THE RIGHT VEHICLE FOR
THE CORRECT APPROACH SO THAT WE
CAN HAVE THAT MORE MEANINGFUL
BROADER POLICY DISCUSSION.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT.
I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE, IT
IS 6 PM, I APPRECIATE THE
PATIENCE OF THE FOLKS IN OUR
NEXT PANEL AND I THINK WE ARE
READY TO TRANSITION SO I'M JUST
GOING TO CALL IT AT THAT.
I WOULD THINK DIRECTOR HAYES,
DEPUTY MAYOR FONG, DEPUTY MAYOR
SIXKILLER, CHIEF BEST FOR
PROVIDING SO MUCH TIME FOR US
THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
YOU FOR COMING BEFORE THIS
COMMITTEE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WANT TO MOVE ON NOW TO OUR
NEXT PANEL.
AND I DO APOLOGIZE TO THE
MEMBERS OF THIS PANEL, THAT WE
ARE STARTING LATER THAN
EXPECTED GIVEN THAT WE HAD VERY
LONG PUBLIC COMMENTS EARLIER,
AND THERE WERE A LOT OF
QUESTIONS FOR OUR EXECUTIVE
STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE RAISING A
LOT OF ISSUES IT WAS GOOD THAT
WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE THAT
EXCHANGE AND HAVE OUR QUESTIONS
ANSWERED AND GET RESPONSES.
BUT NOW, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD,
TO A PANEL OF FOLKS, WHO ARE
HERE, TO PROVIDE A WIDE-RANGING
DIVERSITY OF COMMUNITY AND
SERVICE PROVIDER PERSPECTIVES
ON THIS LEGISLATION, I WANT TO
WELCOME JESSICA QUAN, FROM
EVERGREEN TREATMENT SERVICES, I
WANT TO WELCOME THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE SEATTLE KING
COUNTY COALITION HOMELESSNESS,
THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
ASSOCIATION, ELIZABETH FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH
SERVICES, THE CEO OF THE INDIAN
HEALTH BOARD, AND FROM THE
PLATER SQUARE LISA HOWARD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYBODY
FOR STICKING AROUND, I
APOLOGIZE THAT WE ARE STARTING
PROBABLY AN HOUR AND HALF LATER
THAN I THOUGHT, WE WOULD BEGIN
THIS PANEL, BUT THANK YOU FOR
YOUR PATIENCE.
I WILL CALL FOLKS OUT ONE BY
ONE, FURTHER COMMENTS LIKE I
DID WITH THE EXECUTIVE PANEL.
AGAIN IF WE CAN TRY TO KEEP THE
BALANCE OF TIME FOR ANSWERING
QUESTIONS I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES,
AND I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS,
AND WILL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR
RESPONSES.
WHEN WE START OUT IN THE ORDER
THAT I INTRODUCE THE PANEL,
JESSICA QUAN, IF YOU WOULD LIKE
TO GO FIRST.
>> YES, I WAS WONDERING HOW
MUCH TIME I HAD,
>> ABOUT A MINUTE AND HALF TO
TWO MINUTES.
NOT GOING TO BE A STICKLER FOR.
DISPLAYS A PEOPLE WITHOUT A
>>> AND I RESPECT HOW MUCH
EFFORT THEY PUT IN, BUT IT IS
NO SECRET THAT THERE ARE A NOT
ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR THOSE THAT
LIVE OUTSIDE.
THE SHELTER AVAILABLE DOES NOT
MEET THE NEED OF THE PEOPLE.
ONE, WITH PSEUDO-EPILEPSY,
DISPLACED DUE TO A CAUGHT OR
BED NOT AVAILABLE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO GET
INTO THE NAVIGATION CENTER BUT
THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH BEDS FOR
ALL OF THEM.
WE KNOW WHAT RESOURCES WORK
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE ASK FOR THEM.
HAVING SHELTERS AVAILABLE THAT
PEOPLE DON'T WANT IS A WASTE OF
RESOURCES.
WHEN THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH OF
THE RIGHT RESOURCES TO MOVE TO
ANOTHER COMMUNITY, THIS HAPPENS
ALL OVER SEATTLE.
PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE
TO GO OR A WAY TO MOVE THEIR
STUFF.
THIS IS NOT A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY
TO MOVE PEOPLE TO SAFE SPACES,
COLLABORATING WITH PROVIDERS.
FOR MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
ON OUTREACH, I KNOW FROM MY OWN
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ON
OUTREACH, PEOPLE WILL
PRACTICALLY MOVE TO HOTELS AND
ENHANCED SHELTERS.
MANY PEOPLE ASKED THE NEED TO
GET THEM INTO NAVIGATION
CENTER, BRIDGE OR TINY HOMES.
I WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE FORCED
BETWEEN -- THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH
RESOURCES WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT
SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR, AND
WHERE THEY CAN KEEP THEIR
AUTONOMY.
IN ADDITION, POLICIES IN PLACE
SHOULD BE CLEAR TO ALL PARTIES,
ESPECIALLY TO PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES
WHO INCLUDE LIVING ON THE
STREETS.
WHEN PROVIDERS WERE TOLD ABOUT
HOW THE REMOVALS WOULD STOP
UNLESS DEEMED A HAZARD, AND
MATED A RESPONSE ABILITY TO
INFORM PEOPLE LIVING ON THE
STREETS OF THESE POLICIES AND
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS SO
THEY CAN HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT
THE ENVIRONMENT THEY ARE LIVING
IN.
A LOT OF PEOPLE FOUND IT HELPFUL
AND TOOK ACTION CLEANING THEIR
SPACES AND HAVING THEIR
BELONGINGS OUT OF THE SIDEWALK,
NOT HAVING LARGE FIRES, NOT
SETTING UP NEAR BUILDING
ENTRANCES OR EXITS OR FREEWAY
RAMPS.
EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO
APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION AND
I KNOW THAT OTHERS HAVE SAID
THE SAME.
I LET THEM KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND
RESOURCES, A LOT OF PEOPLE DO
NOT KNOW, A LOT OF THEM I GAVE
TRASH BAGS AND GOT THEM PROBLEM
SOLVED WHEN THEIR TENT WAS TOO
BIG FOR THE SIDEWALK.
PROBLEM SOLVING WITH THEM FIRST
BEFORE REMOVING THE ENTIRE
ENCAMPMENT.
WHEN THE REMOVALS WERE POSTED
PEOPLE WERE NOT GIVEN MUCH
NOTICE.
PEOPLE ARE ASKED WHY THEY WERE
GETTING REMOVED AND I COULD NOT
GIVE THEM A SPECIFIC REASON.
THEN THE REMOVALS HAPPENED,
PEOPLE WERE DISPLACED AND
RELOCATED TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF
THE COMMUNITY AND THEN
REPEATED.
THIS HAPPENED BEFORE COVID-19
AND IS STILL HAPPENING AFTER
COVID-19.
I HAVE YET TO FIND MOST OF MY
CLIENTS.
PEOPLE NEED TIME TO PACK THEIR
STUFF, FIGURING OUT WHERE TO GO
AND HAVE NOT EATEN OR DRINKING
WATER IN THE MORNING.
THERE IS LAB MACHINERY GOING ON
AND PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THEM
WITH MEDIA AROUND AND A HIGH
SPD PRESENCE.
IS DEHUMANIZING.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO TOLD TO WAIT SO
PEOPLE IN THE ENCAMPMENT ARE
TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL THE TIME OF
THE REMOVAL TO SEE IF THERE IS
OPENINGS AT SHELTERS THAT THEY
ARE WANTING.
WHEN THE REMOVAL HAPPENED, LIKE
I JUST ILLUSTRATED IT IS AN
INTENSE ENVIRONMENT AND NOT
TRAUMA INFORMED.
PEOPLE ARE TOLD TO WAIT THANK Y
THAT WAS GREAT.
I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND
SHARING THAT.
I WANT TO REMIND FELLOW
COUNCILMEMBERS IF YOU COULD
HOLD QUESTIONS UNTIL THE ENTIRE
PANEL HAS PRESENTED.
SIMILAR TO THE FORMAT OF THE
LAST PANEL.
JESSICA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WERE NEXT PRESENTER IS ALLISON
I SINGER.
TAKE IT AWAY.
PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
AND GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
I AM GOING TO READ AS QUICKLY
AS I CAN SOME PREPARED REMARKS.
I WANT TO ALSO SAY IN
PREPARATION FOR THIS TESTIMONY
I DID ASK A NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO
SHARE LIVES, OUTREACH STAFF AND
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.
AND IF THERE IS TIME I AM HAPPY
TO SHARE SOME OF THOSE
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FIRST-HAND
ACCOUNTS WITH YOU.
MY NAME IS ALLISON AND I AM THE
DIRECTOR OF THE SEATTLE KING
COUNTY COALITION ON
HOMELESSNESS.
I AM A SOCIAL WORKER AND IN
AFFILIATE FACULTY AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL
OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
BEFORE I CAME TO THE COALITION
I WORKED IN THE EPIDEMIOLOGY
PLANNING UNIT OF THE SEATTLE
AND KING COUNTY FOR NEARLY A
DECADE.
YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO HEAR ME
SAY THIS BUT I DO WANT PEOPLE
TO MOVE, EVEN IN A PANDEMIC.
ONLY IF IT MAKES SENSE.
AND IT ONLY MAKES SENSE TO MOVE
PEOPLE UNDER THESE EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES.
WHEN THAT MOVEMENT IS MANAGED
THOUGHTFULLY AND PLANNED AND
CARRIED OUT IN A WAY THAT
SUPPORTS THAT PERSON GETTING
INTO A SAFER AND BETTER HOUSING
OR SHELTER OPTION.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS RARELY
WHAT IS TAKING PLACE.
I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IT IS
NOT TRUE THAT THIS LEGISLATION
WOULD CAUSE PEOPLE TO CAMP
EVERYWHERE.TO DATE IS WHY CAN'T
OUR CITY BRING RESOURCES TO
BEAR, TO SOLVE THIS CRITICAL
PUBLIC HEALTH SITUATION, FOR
PEOPLE WHO ARE ON SHELTERED,
AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
HOUSED AND WORK IN THOSE
COMMUNITIES.
IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME TO
BRING APPROPRIATE OUTREACH AND
ENGAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY
HOUSING RESOURCES TO BEAR, TO
KEEP PEOPLE WHO ARE AT HIGH
RISK OF ILLNESS AND DEATH,
SAFER, IT IS NOW.
IN A CRISIS.
IN THIS MOMENT COMMON SENSE HAS
TO PREVAIL OVER POLITICS.
YES, A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF
WORK HAS BEEN DONE, IMPORTANT
WORK AND IN MANY CASES GOOD
WORK.
AND IT IS CONTINUING.
BUT YES, FEWER THAN 100 NEW
SPACES OF ANY TYPE HAVE BEEN
CREATED.
AND OVERALL WE HAVE LOST
CAPACITY IN OUR SHELTER SYSTEM.
I AM HAPPY TO WALK
COUNCILMEMBERS AND EXECUTIVE
STAFF THROUGH THE ANALYSIS AT
ANOTHER TIME.
RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19
OUTBREAK SHOULD NOT BE
DIFFERENT THAN RESPONDING TO
ANY OTHER CONTAGIOUS DISEASE
OUTBREAK YOUR WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF THE FACT THAT THE
SPECIFIC NATURE OF THIS NEW AND
HIGHLY COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
DOES MEAN THAT IT IS NOW AND
WILL CONTINUE FOR THE
FORESEEABLE FUTURE TO BE
EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO RELY ON
CONGREGATE SHELTERS AS THE
PRIMARY MEANS OF SHELTERING
PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ESPECIALLY THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE
HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO COVID-19.
AS A MATTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH
AND PUBLIC POLICY IT IS A
TERRIBLE IDEA TO MOVE PEOPLE
AROUND TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR
THEM TO ACCESS SERVICES OR STAY
CONNECTED TO SERVICES, TO
DEPRIVE THEM OF THEIR PERSONAL
POSSESSIONS, MEDICINE, EXPOSE
THEM TO THE ELEMENTS AND
PREDATORS AND TO GENERALLY
CRIMINALIZE THEIR EXISTENCE.
THOSE THINGS MAKE IT WORSE OR
THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND.
WHETHER THEY ARE LUCKY ENOUGH
TO HAVE HOMES OR WHETHER THEY
DO NOT HAVE HOMES.
AND THESE PRACTICES CREATE
IMPOSSIBLE CONDITIONS FOR
PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
AGAIN THOSE THAT WORK IN THE
SHELTER OR HOMES, AND THOSE
WITHOUT.
THE ACTIONS THAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT ARE PROFOUNDLY
COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND ILL
CONSIDERED.
THEY ARE ALSO, IN MY OPINION,
ILL-INFORMED BY THE BASIC
UNDERSTANDING OF COMMUNICABLE
DISEASE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
PRACTICES.
IN FACT, WHAT THE CITY IS DOING
MAKES IT INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT,
IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE THE
ACTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY FROM
A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE TO
ASSESS EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON'S
HEALTH AND HEALTH RISKS TO
CONNECT THEM TO HEALTHCARE AND
OTHER SERVICES, AND KEEP THEM
CONNECTED TO SERVICES THEY ARE
CONNECTED TO.
TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SEEK CARE
AND AGREE TO TESTING.
TO AGREE TO GO TO ISOLATION AND
QUARANTINE IF IT IS WARRANTED.
AND TO PARTICIPATE IN CONTACT
TRACING, A CRUCIAL ELEMENT
WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
HIV/AIDS, HEPATITIS A OR COVID-
19.
BY CONTINUING TO DISPLACE
PEOPLE AND DISRUPT THEIR LIVES,
THE CITY IS HARMING PEOPLE AND
DAMAGING TRUST.
AND UNDERMINING PEOPLE'S SENSE
THAT THERE CAN BE RESPECTFUL
AND USEFUL HELP AT HAND.
IT UNNECESSARILY RISKS EXPOSING
PEOPLE.
FIRST RESPONDERS, CITY
EMPLOYEES, FRONT-LINE WORKERS,
OUTREACH STAFF, HOMELESS PEOPLE
AND HOUSED PEOPLE.
THE CITY'S CURRENT APPROACH IS
FAILING PUBLIC POLICY, FAILING
TO RESPOND COLLECTIVELY TO
NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY
CONCERNS.
IT IS FAILING IN THE CORE
RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT TO
HELP PEOPLE IN A CRISIS, IN
WAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO
HELP THEMSELVES.
AND IT IS MAKING OUR WORK AHEAD
MORE ETHICAL.
MORE DIFFICULT.
I WANT TO MENTION TO YOU IN
RESPONSE OF SOME OF THE
QUESTIONS THAT COUNCILMEMBERS
HAVE ASKED.
THAT TODAY I RECEIVED NOTICE
FROM AN OUTREACH WORKER WHO IS
A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL THAT THEY
HAD TESTED A CLIENT, CAMPED
OUTSIDE ON WELLER STREET FOR
COVID-19.
AND THE TEST CAME BACK NEGATIVE
BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO
LOCATE THAT PERSON TO REPORT
THE NEWS.
THEY HAVE BEEN FINDING PEOPLE
WHO WERE SWEPT, WHO ARE NOW IN
GREATER HEALTH CRISIS THAN
BEFORE.
WHO ARE STILL UNABLE TO FIND
ANYWHERE TO STAY.
AND JUST FINALLY, I WANT TO
TELL YOU ABOUT A STORY AND
OUTREACH WORKER CALLED TO TELL
ME THIS MORNING BECAUSE I ASKED
IF THEY KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE
PEOPLE WHO WERE SWEPT LAST WEEK.
AND THIS OUTREACH WORKER
REPORTED TO ME THAT FOR TWO
YEARS HE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH
A YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN PERSON
, UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE.
FOR TWO YEARS HE HAD BEEN DOING
OUTREACH WITH THIS PERSON
THROUGH HIS OWN CHANGES IN
JOBS, HE HAD LOST CONTACT WITH
THIS YOUNG PERSON BUT FOUND THEM
AGAIN AT WELLER STREET, SPENT
MANY HOURS WORKING WITH THEM TO
GET THEIR PAPERWORK IN ORDER.
TO APPLY FOR HOUSING.
MET WITH THE HOUSING CASE
MANAGER IN THE TENT ON WELLER
STREET, AND THIS YOUNG PERSON'S
HOUSING APPOINTMENT WAS LAST
FRIDAY.
THIS OUTREACH WORKER WENT AT
8:00 IN THE MORNING ON THURSDAY
TO TRY TO FIND HIS CLIENT,
HAVING DISCUSSED THE FACT THAT
THE SWEEP WAS COMING.
THE CLIENT SAID HE WOULD HANG
ON AS LONG AS HE COULD.
THE OUTREACH WORKER HAS BEEN
UNABLE TO FIND HIS CLIENT.
HE HAS ASKED THE HOUSING
PROVIDER TO TRY TO HOLD THE
SPACE WHILE HE TRIES TO FIND
THIS YOUNG PERSON.
AND WHAT I THINK IS THAT THE
CITY CAN DO A WHOLE LOT BETTER
THAN WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING FOR
THAT YOUNG PERSON.
AND FOR THE OUTREACH WORKER.
AND FOR ALL OF US WHO SURELY
UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE CAN AGREE
ON THE RHETORIC THAT WE ALL
REALLY WANT TO GET TO THE SAME
SOLUTION AND HOUSE PEOPLE AND
KEEP THEM SAFE ALWAYS.
ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.
THEN WE HAVE TO DO THINGS
DIFFERENTLY.
THANK YOU.
>> ALLISON, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
I WANT TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT
PANELIST.
-- MOSS FROM THE PUBLIC
DEFENDER ASSOCIATION.
TARA, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> MY NAME IS TARA BY THE WAY.
>> I AM SO SORRY.
>> I ACTUALLY AM ABLE TO
CLARIFY SO I APPRECIATE.
>> I AM SORRY.
PROCEED.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
ALLOWING US TO STAY LATE AND
TALK AND SHARE PERSPECTIVES.
ESPECIALLY I APPRECIATE, I
BELIEVE EITHER CHIEF BEST
CALLED THE OUTREACH WORKERS AND
SERVICE DIVIDERS ESSENTIAL
WORKERS AND THEY VERY MUCH ARE
DURING THIS TIME.
GOING OUT ON THE STREETS WHILE
SO MANY OF US SAY HOME BECAUSE
THEY CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THEIR
CLIENTS AND WHAT IS HAPPENING
TO THEM.
I WOULD SAY THAT WE LEAVE THAT,
AND WE AGREE WITH PEOPLE,
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, THAT WE
CANNOT JUST LEAVE PEOPLE OUT
THERE ON THE STREETS.
WE CANNOT LEAVE VULNERABLE
FOLKS WITHOUT SUPPORTIVE
SYSTEMS, HEALTH, AND A SAFE
PLACE TO GO.
THE CRIME THAT PEOPLE ARE
TALKING ABOUT, THE CONCERNS OF
BUSINESS OWNERS AND OTHER
NEIGHBORS HAVE, ARE REAL.
THOSE SAME CONCERNS EXIST EVEN
WITH THOSE WHO ARE EXISTING IN
TENT ENCAMPMENT.
SO IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT,
THAT IT IS CLEAR THAT WE CANNOT
JUST LEAVE INDIVIDUALS OUT
THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, JUST MOVING
INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT A PLAN THAT
OTHERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT, MORE
EXPLICITLY, IS ALSO A CONCERN.
WE AGREE WE CANNOT DO THAT
EITHER.
WHAT WE, WE ALSO NEED TO
RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE NOT
THAT MANY RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY
RIGHT NOW FOR CLIENTS TO GO TO.
PEOPLE NEED HELP.
THEY NEED STRATEGIES ABOUT WHAT
TO DO.
AND THEY NEED THE SUPPORT THAT
THEY HAVE BECOME USED TO AND
HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO
ACCESS THAT.
WHAT WE HAVE FOUND WITHIN CO-
LEAD AND LEAD, WITH USING
HOTELS WITH LOW OCCUPANCY RATES
AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT
HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE AND HAS
ALLOWED PEOPLE TO STABILIZE AND
REDUCED DRUG USE, AND HAS
ALLOWED FOR MORE ACCESS TO
SANITATION FACILITES AND BASIC
NEEDS MET.
I HEARD A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS
SAYING OTHER TINY HOMES,
TALKING ABOUT THE ABILITY THAT
THEY HAVE AND THEIR CONCERN
ABOUT THE STABILITY BEING
SHAKEN.
WITH THEIR MOVES.
SO, WE HAVE REALLY FOUND THAT
FOR LOW-LEVEL DRUG USERS,
PEOPLE WITH LOW-LEVEL MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES, REALLY BENEFIT
FROM BEING IN HOTELS AND BEING
STABILIZED.
WE HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THE
HARM REDUCTION BASE SERVICES
AND INDIVIDUAL BASE SERVICES
REALLY HAS CREATED AN EFFECTIVE
STABILIZATION FOR THIS
POPULATION.
AS WELL AS ONCE THOSE
INDIVIDUALS ARE IN THOSE
HOTELS, CONSTANT STAFFING AND
SUPPORT INCOORDINATION WITHIN
THE HOTELS.
BUT, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT I
REALLY WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
HIGHLIGHT, AND THAT IS
SOMETHING I HAVE HEARD FROM
BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE LARGER
COMMUNITY, AROUND THE
POPULATIONS THAT THEY ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT WITH TENT AND
CABINETS.
AND THAT IS PEOPLE WHO ARE
DISPLAY MORE CONCERNING
BEHAVIOR, OR INCREASED THREATS
OF SAFETY.
I WILL SAY THAT THE SERVICE
PROVISIONS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW
DON'T MEET THOSE NEEDS,
ESPECIALLY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO
ARE STRUGGLING WITH HIGH MENTAL
HEALTH NEEDS.
THERE IS AN ASPECT WITH ALL THE
SERVICE PROVISIONS OUT THERE
THAT WE DON'T HAVE A SERVICE
PROVISION FOR THAT POPULATION.
THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND
COMMUNITY NUMBERS AND PEOPLE
THAT LIVE IN TENT AND CABINETS
ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE COULD
BE A PACKAGE IN PLACE BUT THAT
NEEDS TO BE INTENTIONAL.
OTHERWISE IF PEOPLE ARE
RELOCATING TO OTHER PLACES THEY
ARE LEAST LIKELY GOING TO
SHELTER AND FOR THAT ISSUE TO
BE RESOLVED.
WE WILL MOVE TO OTHER LOCATIONS
AND THAT IS A COMMUTE 80 AS A
WHOLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ABILITY TO
NOT ABANDON PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND
TRYING TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL
RELIEF TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT
MEETS THE NEEDS ON THE CONCERNS
FOR THOSE THAT ARE LIVING
OUTSIDE, AS WELL AS THE
COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
WE REALLY NEED A THIRD PATH,
NOT JUST REMOVING INDIVIDUALS
BUT ALSO NOT LEAVING PEOPLE
WHERE THEY ARE AT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
NEXT UP, AND ELIZABETH, I DON'T
KNOW HOW TO PRONOUNCE YOUR LAST
NAME.
I AM SO SORRY.
WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME.
[ LAUGHTER ] FROM THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH
SERVICES.
>> IS MY AUDIO AND VIDEO
WORKING?
>> YES.
WE CAN SEE YOU.
>> FANTASTIC.
I HAD NO IDEA IF IT WOULD WORK
BECAUSE IT WAS ON MUTE FOR THE
LAST FOUR HOURS.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY 25 TO ADDRESS THE
COMMUNITY.
MY NAME IS LIZ AGEE AND I
APOLOGIZE FOR ANYBODY, OUR CEO
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE.
BUT I CHS ONCE EVERYONE TO HAVE
A SAFE AND HEALTHY PLACE TO LIVE
IN THIS PANDEMIC AND BEYOND.
HOWEVER WE OPPOSE DUE TO THE
ABILITY OF COVID-19 TO SPREAD,
THE ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CHINATOWN
DISTRICT WERE DETRIMENTAL TO
THE RESIDENCE AND OUR
VULNERABLE RESIDENTS,
ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY WHO MAKE
UP 40% OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
COVID-19 DEMANDS ACTS SUCH AS
SOCIAL DISTANCING, MASKING,
HANDWASHING AND FREQUENT
DISINFECTING OF SURFACES AS THE
MOST ENCAMPMENTS MAY NOT BE THE
MOST SAFE OR HEALTHIEST
ENVIRONMENT AND MERE PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY IS NOT ITSELF A RISK
FASTER FOR OTHER COMMUTABLE
DISEASES.
WITH COVID-19 THERE IS NO CURE
OR VACCINE FOR A HIGHLY
TRANSMISSIBLE VIRUS WITH BOTH
SYMPTOMATIC AND A SOME SOMATIC
PERSONS.
EVEN WHEN THE TREATMENTS
FINALLY EXIST, THE WIDE
AVAILABILITY TO LOW INCOME
POPULATIONS WILL TAKE TIME TO
DISSEMINATE.
RESIDENTS OF THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ARE IN A
FRAIL COMMUNITY STRUGGLING TO
LIFT ITSELF UP IN NORMAL TIMES.
THEY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY
COVID-19, GOING ON FOR LONGER
THAN MOST OTHER AREAS OF
SEATTLE DUE TO INCREASED RACISM
AND XENOPHOBIA PARENTS BY THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE CHINATOWN AND LITTLE SAIGON
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
ORGANIZATIONS HAVE WORKED
TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE LOW
INCOME RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY
THE ELDERLY.
WE HAVE ALSO WORKED TO ASSIST
IN EDUCATING AND PROTECTING THE
COMMUNITY AGAINST THE SPREAD OF
COVID-19.
THE SMALL FAMILY RESTAURANTS
AND BUSINESSES THAT PROBABLY
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE STRUGGLING
TO COME BACK AND NEED TO ASSURE
THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS A SAFE
AND HEALTHY PLACE FOR
CUSTOMERS.
WE HOPE THAT THE CITY WILL HELP
TO PROVIDE EVERYONE WITH THE
SAFE SHELTER THAT THEY NEED BUT
DURING COVID-19, UNSANCTIONED
ENCAMPMENTS, LIKE IN THE
CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT AND LITTLE SAIGON ARE
DETRIMENTAL TO THE PUBLIC
HEALTH OF EVERYONE.
THANK YOU.
>> LIZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
YOUR PRESENTATION.
SO, ESTHER, LUCERO.
TAKE IT AWAY.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
GENERALLY.
I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE AND
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME
YOUR TIME.
LET ME START OFF BY STRESSING
THAT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY AGAINST
THE DEHUMANIZING IMPACT OF THE
SWEEPS, FOR THE ENCAMPMENTS.
I WANT TO SAY THAT VERY CLEARLY
AND ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT
I WILL SHARE A PER SPEC IF WITH
YOU THAT COMES FROM
EXPERIENCING TWO OF THE
ENCAMPMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN
RATED SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT
PUBLIC COMMENT AND ALSO
THROUGHOUT BOTH PANELS.
ON FELL STREET AND WELLER,
WHICH IS IN COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S DISTRICT, AND THE
ENCAMPMENT THAT WAS LOCATED
BETWEEN DEARBORN AND LANE
STREET, BELOW OUR CLINIC.
I WANT, I FELT THE SAME
SENTIMENTS AS EVERYONE ELSE.
IDEALLY WE WOULD HAVE EVERYBODY
IN HOTELS WITH THEIR OWN
BATHROOM AND BEING ABLE TO
MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF HYGIENE
NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REDUCE
THE INFECTION RATE.
YOU KNOW OBVIOUSLY WE ARE A
HEALTHCARE PROVIDER AND HAVE
TAKEN AN ACTIVE APPROACH IN
ADDRESSING THE NEEDS TO RESPOND
TO COVID-19 IN MANY VERY
INNOVATIVE WAYS.
AND VERY PROUD OF OUR TEAM FOR
THAT.
THAT IS WHY I AM WONDERING WHY
WE ARE NOT WORKING TOGETHER.
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND ALSO
CITY COUNCIL, WORKING TOGETHER
TO IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE
APPROACHES.
I AM HEARING WE DO NOT HAVE
ENOUGH HOTELS.
THAT THE SHELTER BEDS ARE NOT
AS APPEALING.
TO THE FOLKS THAT ARE LIVING IN
THE ENCAMPMENTS.
THOSE THINGS ARE ALL
UNDERSTANDABLE.
WHY ARE WE NOT TRYING TO DO
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE
SEEN IN NEW YORK?
LIKE WHY ARE WE NOT REPURPOSING
STADIUMS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO
CREATE SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCE
ENCAMPMENTS THAT HAVE RESOURCES
LIKE SHOWERS AND WASH STATIONS?
IN THOSE TYPES OF THINGS?
THAT IS THE TYPE OF CREATIVE
THINKING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
IT IS ONE THING TO SAY WE
SHOULD TAX AMAZON AND ANOTHER
THING TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS
WITHIN THE BUSINESSES WITHIN
YOUR DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO
WORK WITH THEM TO REPURPOSE
PLACES THAT ARE NOT BEING USED
RIGHT NOW.
BECAUSE WE ARE ACTUALLY IN MORE
OF A SHUTDOWN MODE.
RIGHT?
SO WE COULD REPURPOSE PARKING
LOTS IN THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
I WANT TO HEAR THAT TYPE OF
CREATIVE THINKING AND NOT JUST
LIMITED TO THIS IDEA THAT IF WE
HAD MORE RESOURCES WE COULD
MAKE IT HAPPEN.
THE TRUTH IS, ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT WE DO REALLY WELL IS COME
TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND
SHARE RESOURCES.
WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THINGS
HAPPEN.
YOU KNOW?
AND I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING,
MY TRIBE, NAVAJO NATION, AND IN
NAVAJO NATION, REALLY
STRUGGLING, YOU WANT TO KNOW
WHY?
WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO WATER.
WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO WATER
AND THAT LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO
BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN HYGIENE
STANDARDS, REDUCE THE
INFECTION.
RIGHT?
WATER, HYGIENE, PPE, DOES THAT
SOUND FAMILIAR TO YOU?
THAT SOUNDS A LOT TO ME WHAT WE
HAVE BEEN EXPENSING AT 12th AND
WELLER.
THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW THESE
PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGING IN
CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ARE NOT
LIVING IN THE ENCAMPMENTS IS
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.
LET ME PAINT A PICTURE OF WHAT
IT LOOKED LIKE TO YOU WHEN WE
WERE AT THE ENCAMPMENT BETWEEN
DEARBORN AND LANE STREET.
WE ACTUALLY STOPPED THREE
RAPES.
WE PROVIDED CONTAINERS AND WE
HAD MACHETES PULLED ON US.
WE HAD EMPLOYEES THAT HAD FECES
THROWN ON THEM.
YOU KNOW?
WE OFFER SERVICES EVERY DAY AND
EVERY CHANCE WE GET TO GET
PEOPLE INTO SHELTER AND HOTELS,
OUR HOMELESS INVESTMENT TEAM
DOES THAT.
OUR PROVIDERS DO THAT.
WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF THE
SUCCESSES THAT ALLISON SHARED.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THERE ARE A
LOT OF SUCCESSES.
AND THE CHALLENGES ARE VERY
DIFFICULT.
WE, DURING THAT TIME, WHEN THE
ENCAMPMENT WAS THERE, WE HAD
OVERDOSES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK
IN THE BATHROOMS.
OUR MEDICAL TEAM SAVED PEOPLE'S
LIVES.
THAT IS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.
RIGHT?
THE ENCAMPMENT ON 12th AND
WELLER, WE WATCHED DRUG DEALS
HAPPEN.
THERE WERE SEVERAL SHOOTINGS,
SEVERAL SHOOTINGS AT DEARBORN.
WE WITNESSED THOSE, WE STOPPED
THEM.
WE TRIED TO OFFER SERVICES AND
TRY TO GET PEOPLE RESOURCES
THEY NEED.
THAT IS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.
WE HAVE HAD OUR BUILDING BROKEN
INTO FOUR TIMES, WE HAVE HAD TO
INVEST $200,000 IN INCREASED
SECURITY.
WE HAVE HAD TO DO REPAIRS. WE
HAVE HAD TO ADD HAZARDOUS-WASTE
CLEANUP TWICE A DAY.
RIGHT?
WE HAVE HAD TO DO ALL OF THOSE
THINGS WITH NO INVESTMENT FROM
THE CITY OR COUNTY AND REALLY
SUPPORTING US WITH THOSE
EFFORTS.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BURDEN
IS TRANSFERRED ONTO
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS, WHICH
WE ARE HAPPY TO HOLD BECAUSE
THESE PEOPLE WE LOVE AND THEY
ARE OUR RELATIVES THAT WE
SERVE.
WHEN THEY ALLOW US TO SERVE WE
DO IT WELL.
BUT WE ARE NOT GETTING ANY HELP.
THE OTHER THING I AM SEEING IS
THAT OUR CAPACITY FOR SUPPORT
SERVICES, LIKE THE MOBILE WASH
STATIONS, OR THE MOBILE
SHOWERS, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS,
ARE REALLY LIMITED.
AND KING COUNTY IS DOING THE
BEST THEY CAN.
THERE IS NO COORDINATED EFFORT
WITH COVID-19.
EVERYBODY IS DOING THIS WORK
INDEPENDENTLY AND WE ARE NOT
DOING IT TOGETHER.
SO WE ARE LEFT WITH SCARCITY OF
RESOURCES, AND NO EFFORT TO
GATHER TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS.
SO THAT IS WHERE I AM COMING
FROM.
AND INSTEAD OF DE-FUNDING THE
NAVIGATION TEAM, I WOULD LIKE
TO SEE THE NAVIGATION TEAM
REPURPOSED INTO TRULY PILOT A
COMMUNITY POLICING MODEL, A
REAL COMMUNITY POLICING MODEL
GROUNDED IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT, VERY
DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE ARE
DOING.
IT SOUNDS A LOT LIKE WHAT WE
ARE TRYING TO DO BUT WHY DON'T
WE DO IT TOGETHER?
IT WILL STILL TAKE RESOURCES TO
MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
AND STILL WE ARE GOING TO HAVE
TO ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY AS WELL.
SO I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT
IT IS NOT BLACK AND WHITE.
IT IS NOT ONE OR THE OTHER.
WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ENTIRE
PROBLEM.
AND YES, I AM LEANING ON YOU.
YOU ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL BRILLIANT
LAWYERS AND POLICY FOLKS AND
CAN SOLVE A COMPLEX PROBLEM AS
A COLLECTIVE.
YOU CAN.
I CAN GIVE YOU IDEAS BUT YOU
HAVE THE POWER, YOU HAVE THE
AUTHORITY, YOU HAVE THE
RESOURCES.
AND THAT IS WHY I AM GRATEFUL
TO HAVE THIS TIME RIGHT NOW TO
SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE ARE
GOOD NEIGHBORS AND DOING OUR
PART.
WE ARE DOING OUR PART.
SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EXPERTISE
WHEN WE FLIP THE SCRIPT IN A
MOMENT HERE AND START ASKING
QUESTIONS.
BEFORE THAT WE HAVE ONE LAST
PRESENTER.
LISA HOWARD.
FROM MY DISTRICT AND
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES'
DISTRICT, LISA, TAKE AWAY.
>> OKAY, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
SO AS COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS SAID,
MY NAME IS LISA HOWARD, I AM
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND I
WANTED TO SHARE SOME CONTEXTUAL
INFORMATION ABOUT PIONEERS FIRST
EXPERIENCE OF THE RESIDENTS AND
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.
AND THE IMPACT OF THE LARGE
SANCTIONS THAT THE ENCAMPMENT
IS HAVING ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD
NOW.
I KNOW YOU ARE ALL FAMILIAR
WITH PIONEER SQUARE BUT I WANT
TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION YOU
MAY NOT HAVE HEARD.
PIONEER SQUARE WAS A COMPLEX
ENVIRONMENT BEFORE COVID-19 HIT
THE CITY.
IT IS EVEN MORE TRUE TODAY.
WE HAVE A RELATIVELY LOW
RESIDENTIAL POPULATION WITH,
COMPARED TO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
WITH AN ESTIMATED 3000
RESIDENTS.
ABOUT 60% OF WHOM ARE AT OR
BELOW 30% AMI.
IN ADDITION WE HAVE MANY HUMAN
SERVICE PROVIDERS IN THE
DISTRICT SERVING BETWEEN 1500
AND 2000 INDIVIDUALS EMERGENCY
OR LONG-TERM SHELTER.
THE VARIANCE IS DUE TO
SEASONALITY.
MANY PROVIDERS SERVE PEOPLE
WITH THE MOST COMPLEX CASES.
IN ADDITION OVER 850 BUSINESSES
IN PIONEER SQUARE CALL IT HOME
WITH OVER 200 OF THOSE AT
RETAIL LEVEL.
I AM HEARING DAILY FROM
CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE CRISIS
ON OUR STREETS.
TO BE EXPLICIT, THE RESIDENTS
AND THE BUSINESSES OF PINER
SQUARE HAVE COEXISTED WITH
PEOPLE EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS
FAR LONGER THAN YOU AND I. MOST
OF THEM ARE SOLUTION ORIENTED
AND WANT TEEPLE MATCHED WITH THE
SOLUTIONS THEY NEED.
THE MAJOR CONCERNS RIGHT NOW
ARE THE CONCERNS OF BEING ABLE
TO SEPARATE DANGEROUS CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR FROM THOSE
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN
THESE LARGE ENCAMPMENTS.
SOME THINGS I HAVE HEARD
REGARDING THE CURRENT
ENVIRONMENT, THERE HAS BEEN
THREE INSTANCES OF SHOTS FIRED,
IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THERE
HAS BEEN SEX TRAFFICKING
REPORTED WITH A NUMBER OF
INDIVIDUALS.
HUMAN FECES ON THE STREET AND
SURROUNDING AREA DUE TO THE
LACK OF HYGIENE CENTERS AND
BATHROOM AVAILABILITY.
THE SURROUNDING SERVICES HAVE
úREPORTED ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES
DUE TO THE NEGATIVE AND CRIMINAL
ACTIVITY AFFECTING THEIR DAILY
OPERATIONS, INCLUDING VIOLENCE
IN THE LINE FOR SERVICE ACCESS,
LACK OF SOCIAL DISTANCING,
ESPECIALLY AT THE FOUNTAIN ON
FONTAINE AND ALSO THE ABILITY TO
ACCESS OUTDOOR SPACE.
DUE TO THE LACK OF SOCIAL
DISTANCING.
A RESIDENT EMAILED IN AND
REPORTED SHE WAS GOING ON HER
DAILY WALK AND A PERSON FROM
THE ENCAMPMENT RAN UP TO HER
AND SCREAMED COVID-19 IN HER
FACE AND THEN PROCEEDED TO
COUGH ON HER.
SHE ALSO OBSERVED A GENTLEMAN
PASSED OUT IN A WHEELCHAIR IN
THE MIDDLE OF SECOND AVENUE
EXTENSION, ALMOST HIT BY THREE
CARS UNTIL SHE WENT OUT AND
MOVED HIM HERSELF.
BUSINESSES ARE ALSO FEELING
ACUTE IMPACT RIGHT NOW.
A BUSINESS DIRECTLY UP THE
STREET FROM THE ENCAMPMENT,
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, HAD
EXTENSIVE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT HIS
STORE AS IT WAS RANSACKED BY
SOMEONE WITH EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL
HISTORY WITH A FOUR FOOT TREE
LIMB.
CURRENTLY THE OWNER IS TRYING
TO REOPEN AND HAS HAD OVER
$900.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO HIS
FRONT DOOR FROM THE ATTEMPTED
BURGLARY.
HE HAS BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY
THAT THERE IS NO OPTIONS FOR
HIM TO REMOVE THE INDIVIDUALS.
IN FRONT OF HIS BUSINESS.
A SECOND BUSINESS HAS ALSO BEEN
FACING EXTREME HARDSHIP,
ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.
HE WAS BURGLARIZED IN LATE
MARCH WITH EQUIPMENT AND FOOD
STOLEN FROM HIS BRICK AND
MORTAR AND ALSO FROM HIS FOOD
TRUCK.
THERE BEEN PEOPLE DEFECATING IN
FRONT OF HIS FRONT DOOR DAILY
AND ALSO PEOPLE REACHING INTO
THE RESTAURANT AND STEALING
THINGS INCLUDING GENERATORS AND
FOOD.
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS SPECIAL
BECAUSE WE ARE WELCOMING TO
ALL.
BUT IT IS OFF-BALANCE AND
THINGS ARE NOT WORKING.
VULNERABLE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE
TRYING TO NAVIGATE NEW BUSINESS
MODELS WHILE HAVING TO NAVIGATE
AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT.
THE INTENSITY OF THE IMPACT OF
UNSANCTIONED ENCAMPMENTS IS
SUCH THAT IS NEGATIVELY
IMPACTING OUR ABILITY TO
FUNCTION IN ALMOST EVERY ASPECT.
AND THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET
ARE NOT GETTING THE HELP THEY
NEED.
PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS ARE REAL
AND WORTH YOUR ATTENTION.
THIS CHALLENGE HAS
UNNECESSARILY ESCALATED TO
CRISIS LEVEL.
WE NEED INFORMATION, SORRY, WE
NEED INTERVENTIONS MONTHS AGO.
AND WE ARE ASKING FOR
COOPERATION WITHIN VARIOUS ARMS
OF GOVERNMENT NOW.
IGNORING THE SEVERITY OF THE
ENCAMPMENT ON SECOND AVENUE
EXTENSION IS WRONG.
IT SENDS THE MESSAGE THAT
EVERYONE LOSES HERE.
REMOVING TOOLS IS NOT THE
ANSWER TO THIS COMPLEX PROBLEM.
WE HAVE TO DO BETTER MOVING
FORWARD.
IT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY
EASIER IF WE WERE SOLVING ONE
PROBLEM OR FOR ONE PUBLISHER
BUT WE ARE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
JOINING US.
NOW I WILL OPEN IT UP TO
QUESTIONS.
FROM COUNCILMEMBERS.
AND QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT CAN
BE POSED TO ANY MEMBER OF THE
PANEL.
SO, WHO WANTS TO GO FIRST?
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> THANK YOU.
NOT A QUESTION BUT A
RECOGNITION OF THE WORK THAT
JESSICA HAS BEEN DOING.
AS SHE DESCRIBED IT.
REALLY CONFORMS WITH THE VISION
THAT I HAVE HELD FOR A VERY
LONG TIME.
FOR THE KIND OF WORK THAT THE
NAVIGATION TEAM SHOULD BE
DOING.
THEY SHOULD BE INFORMING
ENCAMPMENT SIDENTS OF WHAT THE
EXPECTATIONS ARE AND WORKING
WITH THEM TO PROVIDE THEM THE
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND
RESOURCES TO MEET THE
EXPECTATIONS.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT
SHE HAS BEEN INITIATING THAT
APPROACH TO HER WORK.
AND I AM SORROWFUL THAT THE
INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE
PROVIDED RESIDENTS THAT YOU
HAVE ENGAGED WITH ABOUT THE
CITY'S ENCAMPMENT REMOVALS,
MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN A LACK OF
, NOT A LACK OF TRUST BUT A
FAILING OF TRUST WITH THE
PEOPLE YOU ARE WORKING TO
CREATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH.
IN THE CITY DID NOT REALLY HOLD
ITS COMMITMENT TO SEIZING THE
ENCAMPMENT REMOVALS.
SO AGAIN I REALLY LOOK FORWARD
TO WORKING MORE CLOSELY WITH
FOLKS LIKE YOU WHO ARE ON THE
GROUND, WHO KNOW WHAT KIND OF
INDUCEMENTS AND ENTICEMENTS AND
THE RESOURCES THAT PEOPLE NEED
TO SORT OF ADHERE TO THE RULES
OF THE ROAD ONCE WE HAVE AN
AGREEMENT ON WHAT THE RULES ARE.
>> THANK YOU.
AND COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD,
BEFORE MOVING TO THE NEXT
QUESTION, I DID WANT TO SAY
THAT I BELIEVE THAT ESTHER HAS
ANOTHER COMMENT THAT SHE WANTED
TO MAKE FROM HER PRESENTATION.
AND ESTHER, IF YOU WANT TO DO
THAT NOW, IT MIGHT BE THE BEST
TIME TO DO IT.
>> AND COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS CAN
YOU ADD ME TO THE LIST?
>> YES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT.
I GOT SO FIRED UP THAT I FORGOT
TO SAY WHAT I WANTED TO SEE THE
NAVIGATION TEAM DO.
IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE GAPS IN
CAPACITY, WE REALLY WANT TO SEE
MO YOU'S TRULY ESTABLISH WITH
COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS.
IF WE ALL GET TOGETHER AS A
COLLECTIVE EFFORT, WE WILL BE
MORE SUCCESSFUL.
I WILL TELL YOU, WE HAVE NOT
HAD THAT.
WE DO NOT HAVE A MOU WITH THE
NAVIGATION TEAM WORKING COUNTY.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M
TALKING ABOUT, A TRUE COMMUNITY
POLICING MODEL LEVERAGES THE
COMMUNITY STRENGTHS IN ORDER TO
SUPPORT A NEED.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO POINT
OUT IS THAT THE TWO SWEEPS THAT
I SPOKE ABOUT, NEITHER OF THEM
WOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECT IT
THROUGH THIS BILL.
SO LET'S BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT
THAT.
IS OF THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
THAT IS DEFINED THROUGH THE
CLERK FILE.
>> OKAY.
THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA IS THE
NEXT PERSON ON MY LIST TO ASKED
THE QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
I WANT TO THANK THE SECOND
PANEL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION
AND ENGAGEMENT WITH US ON THE
LONG DISCUSSION TODAY.
I THINK THAT THE SPEAKER FROM
THE BIA, MS. HOWARD, THANK YOU
FOR SHARING YOUR COMMENTS
ESPECIALLY NOTING THAT YOU NEED
A COOPERATION MONTHS AGO.
I AGREE.
I THINK THERE IS A LOT MORE WE
COULD HAVE DONE MONTHS AGO IN
AN EFFORT TO BE MORE
COORDINATED.
I THINK THAT IS A VERY SHOULD
FAIR CRITICISM OF THE CITY AS A
WHOLE.
AND I ALSO BELIEVE WITH MS.
LUCERO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PRESENTATION, POWERFUL WORDS
AND YOUR DIRECTIVE FOR US TO
WORK THROUGH A MORE AUTOMATED
APPROACH.
I THINK FOLKS ARE EXPRESSING A
LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION THAT WE
ARE IN THIS POSITION AND I
THINK IT IS NOT FAIR, IT IS NOT
FAIR TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT
PROVIDE HEALTH SERVICES ON THE
GROUND LEVEL, THAT YOU HAVE TO
SHOULDER THE BRUNT OF IT.
IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE SMALL
BUSINESSES THAT ARE BEING ASKED
TO GET READY TO CONSIDER OPENING
AND HAVING FOLKS POTENTIALLY
LIVING OUTSIDE ON THEIR
DOORSTEP.
AND IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN
LVING ON SHELTER TO NOT HAVE
THE SANITATION AND HEALTH
SERVICES THEY NEED IN ORDER TO
BE HEALTHY AND BE OFF THE
STREET AND OUT OF HARMS WAY.
THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS OUT
THERE THAT ARE TRYING TO
SURVIVE AND OTHER FOLKS OUT
THERE THAT WE KNOW ARE
CAPITALIZING ON PEOPLE LIVING
OUTSIDE.
WE HAVE GOT TO STOP THAT ON ALL
FRONTS.
I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS THAT
WERE MADE.
I ALSO THINK THAT YOUR PLEA TO
US, TO DO THIS THROUGH A MORE
RESOURCED DRIVEN APPROACH IS
WELL-RECEIVED, AS YOU HEARD ME
SAY ON THE PREVIOUS PANEL I
HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR
INDIVIDUAL ROOMS.
I HAVE BEEN RUNNING INTO A
NUMBER OF OBSTACLES AND I THINK
THAT YOUR PANEL TODAY IS HELP
TO ILLUMINATE WHY IT IS SO
CRITICAL THAT WE POTENTIALLY
USE THAT RESOURCE, THAT IS AT
OUR FINGERTIPS AND READY TO GO.
THAT HAS A SIDE BENEFIT OF
HELPING SOME SMALL HOTELS THAT
COULD GET $75.00, $95.00, FOR A
ROOM.
THAT CAN HELP KEEP THEM AFLOAT
FOR A WHILE.
IT IS CRITICAL WE HAVE THE
RIGHT STAFFING CAPACITY TO GET
FOLKS INTO THOSE SAFE PLACES.
AND THEN TO USE CO-LEAD FOR THE
INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE
PROBLEMATIC OR CREATING SAFETY
CONCERNS.
I THINK THAT TYPE OF COORDINATED
APPROACH, THAT WAS CLEARLY
DESCRIBED BY MS. MOSS AND MS.
QUAN, I THINK REALLY THAT IS
REALLY A HELPFUL DIRECTIVE FOR
US TODAY.
SO I DO HEAR YOU.
AND I JUST WANT TO DOUBLE
CHECK, IF ANYBODY HAS ANY
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ABOUT
EITHER ADDITIONAL MOTEL OR
HOTEL ROOMS YOU HEARD DIRECTOR
HAYES BEING ABOUT A LARGE TENT
THAT SHE HAS SEEN IN OTHER
CITIES.
WE THINK ABOUT SAFE PLACES TO BE
IN THE CONJUGATE SETTINGS THAT
WE HEARD EARLIER, ACTUALLY
CREATING A PUBLIC HEALTH RISK.
AND WANTING PEOPLE TO HAVE A
SAFE PLACE IT'S WE DON'T HAVE
THE APPROPRIATE HOUSING RIGHT
NOW.
IF YOU HAVE OTHER THOUGHTS
ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF HOUSING
ALTERNATIVES YOU WOULD LIKE TO
SEE US COLLABORATIVELY WORK ON,
WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL.
I WILL STOP THERE.
>> AND WHO WANTS TO TAKE ON
THAT QUESTION FIRST?
>> I WILL SPEAK BRIEFLY.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, I
THINK YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN AND
THERE ARE NOT REALLY TOO MANY
VARIATIONS ON THE THEME.
[ LAUGHTER ] OF ENSURING THAT
WE HAVE SAFER PLACES FOR PEOPLE
TO BE.
BUT I THINK THE LESSON OF COVID-
19 IS WE NEED ALL OF THE
OPTIONS BEFORE US.
AND, TO ESTHER'S POINT, WE NEED
TO TAKE A COORDINATED,
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH, TO
PRIORITIZING FOLKS AND MATCHING
THEM WELL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK
IS MOST PAINFUL AS I HEAR
PEOPLE WHO ARE OUTREACH WORKERS
AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN
THE FIELD, TALK ABOUT THE
REALITIES OF TRYING TO HELP
PEOPLE WITHOUT SHELTER IN THIS
CRISIS.
IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY KNOW
WHAT PEOPLE FIND HELPFUL AND
USEFUL.
AND THAT INCLUDES DEPENDING ON
THE PERSON, HOTEL OR MOTEL
ROOMS, A TINY HOUSE, ENHANCED OR
24/7 SHELTER.
THERE ARE A WIDE RANGE OF
THINGS THAT WORK WELL FOR
PEOPLE.
WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH OF THEM.
AND THE OTHER THING THAT I
THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
THE COUNCIL TO UNDERSTAND IS
THAT RIGHT NOW THE NAVIGATION
TEAM IS THE GATEKEEPER.
FOR ACCESS TO HUNDREDS OF
AVAILABLE, SAFER PLACES FOR
PEOPLE TO BE INDOORS.
AND THAT IS NOT RATIONAL OR
EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF OUR
LIMITED RESOURCES.
I ALSO THINK OUR COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES NEED TO BE TAPPED,
DORMITORY ROOMS ARE A REAL
OPTION.
AND I THINK THAT IT IS
APPROPRIATE TO HAVE SOME
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT IS
GOING TO TAKE FOR SMALLER, MORE
SPREAD OUT CONGREGATE SETTINGS
TO WORK.
AND FOR WHOM.
I THINK IT WILL TAKE ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES, I KNOW IT WILL TAKE
ADDITIONAL STAFFING.
IT WILL ALSO TAKE ADDITIONAL
PHYSICAL NEW SPACES FOR
SHELTERS TO EXIST IN.
AND I THINK OTHER COMMUNITIES,
INCLUDING LOS ANGELES, HAVE
SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY,
WE CAN BOTH SUPPORT LOCALLY
OWNED HOTEL AND MOTEL
BUSINESSES, AND WE CAN GIVE
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO
PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR
JOBS.
AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT WAYS TO
SCALE UP AND PRIORITIZE PEOPLE
THAT MEAN THAT WE ARE MAKING
PROGRESS EVERY SINGLE WEEK.
LOS ANGELES, HOMELESSNESS
AUTHORITY, THEIR CENTRAL
AUTHORITY JUST ANNOUNCED THAT
THEY ARE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO
CREATE 15,000 HOTEL AND MOTEL
ROOMS.
AND THAT IS, AS I UNDERSTAND
IT, OVER AND ABOVE 15,000
SPACES THAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM
PLEDGED STATEWIDE IN CALIFORNIA.
SO, I THINK THERE IS A LOT MORE
THAN WE CAN DO AND WE NEED TO
DO IT FAST.
BECAUSE WE ARE LUCKY WITH THE
WEATHER RIGHT NOW AND THAT WILL
NOT LAST.
>> ALLISON, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I HAVE A RELATED QUESTION I
WANTED TO ASK QUICKLY.
AND THEN WE HAVE COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT, AND COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD, AND ANYONE ELSE THAT
WANTS TO GET INTO THE QUEUE,
PLEASE EMAIL.
THIS IS RELATED AND I WANT TO
ASK IT NOW BUT WANT TO DIRECT
IT TO JESSICA WHO TALKED
EARLIER ABOUT SOME OF HER
OUTREACH WORK AND THE OFFERING
A PLACEMENT.
I JUST WANT TO JESSICA, AND HER
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, BECAUSE I
HAVE HEARD THIS ANECDOTALLY BUT
I WANTED AS SOMEONE WHO HAS
BEEN IN THE FIELD, I HAVE HEARD
THAT LIKE THE TINY HOUSE
PLACEMENTS IN PARTICULAR, ARE
VERY DESIRABLE PLACES FROM
PEOPLE THAT RECEIVE OFFERS OF
SHELTER OVER TRADITIONAL
CONJUGATE SHELTERS.
ALSO ABOUT HOTEL REPLACEMENT
BEING DESIRABLE.
JESSICA, ON A RELATABLE
QUESTION THAT WE WERE TALKING
ABOUT, KIND OF DIFFERENT
SHELTER OFFERINGS, FROM YOUR
EXPERIENCE, WITH FOLKS THAT YOU
DO OUTREACH WITH, RELAY AS A
FEEDBACK TO YOU THE KIND OF
SHELTER THEY ARE INTERESTED IN?
>> WELL, BEFORE HOTELS WERE AN
OPTION, THE TINY HOMES.
RIGHT AWAY, TINY HOMES, THE
NAVIGATION CENTER, THE BRIDGE.
NOW HOTELS AND MOTELS, LIKE A
HIGH OF GOLDEN TICKET.
LIKE PEOPLE WOULD LOVE THAT.
AND, YEAH, PEOPLE AFTER THAT.
ALL THE TIME.
EVERYBODY.
AND WHAT I HAVE TO TELL THEM IS
IT IS MINIMAL, VERY SCARCE.
THERE IS NONE TODAY.
THERE IS ONE TODAY.
OR THERE IS TWO TODAY.
AND WHAT HAPPENS, BUT WHEN MORE
TINY HOUSES CAME ONLINE, AT THE
NAVIGATION STAIRCASE REMOVAL,
THAT WAS, THAT WAS, I FEEL LIKE
A LOT OF PEOPLE TO CLOSE RIGHT
AWAY.
AND I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED IF
THE BEDS THAT WERE AVAILABLE
WERE TINY HOMES.
BUT AFTER ABOUT ONE WEEK, OR
TWO, LIKE ALL THE NEW TINY
HOMES WERE FILLED.
I WOULD SAY PROBABLY SOONER
THAN THAT.
THE SHELTER BEDS ARE DEBATED
AMONGST EVERYBODY IN SEATTLE.
IN BETWEEN ALL PROVIDERS.
SO, I WOULD, JUST LIKE FOR
INFORMATION PURPOSES, I SUGGEST
THAT ALL COUNCILMEMBERS LOOK
INTO WHAT THE SHELTER PROCESS
IS ACTUALLY LIKE.
AND HOW SMOOTH OR UN-SMOOTH
THAT ACTUALLY GOES.
AND HOW THE SHELTER BEDS ARE
ALLOCATED TO PEOPLE WHO WANT
THEM.
BECAUSE, IT IS, IT COULD BE
BETTER.
A LOT BETTER.
>> OKAY JESSICA.
THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THAT
QUESTION.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, YOUR
QUEST IN.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
MY QUESTION, AS I SAID BEFORE,
ABOUT SPECIFICS.
I ACTUALLY APPRECIATE SOME OF
THE SPEAKERS IN THIS PANEL
ALREADY GIVING SPECIFICS.
BUT I WANTED TO SEE IF WE CAN
GET MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.
ALSO, IF WE CAN MAKE A REQUEST
FROM, MY QUESTION IS DIRECTLY
TO JESSICA AND TARA.
IF THEY COULD SEND SOME
INFORMATION THAT THEY
ARTICULATED VERBALLY.
SOMETHING IN WRITING THAT THEY
COULD SEND THE COUNCIL AS WELL.
THEN WE CAN LOOK IT OVER
CAREFULLY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE ALLISON AND
OTHERS SAYING THAT WE NEED ALL
THE OPTIONS TO BE MADE
AVAILABLE, INCLUDING HOTEL AND
MOTEL ROOMS, AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, TINY HOUSE VILLAGES.
IT IS A PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE TO PUT HUMAN BEINGS AND
HUMAN LIVES FIRST.
WE ALWAYS HAVE TO DO THAT BUT
ESPECIALLY NOW.
MY QUESTIONS WERE, AGAIN, I
HAVE ASKED THEM OF THE PREVIOUS
PANEL BUT I THINK JESSICA,
ALLISON AND TARA ARE IN A
BETTER POSITION TO ANSWER THE
QUESTIONS.
WE HEARD FROM THE MAYOR
REPRESENTATIVES THAT, I BELIEVE
THAT THIS IS VERY, ALMOST EXACT
SPEECH, REMOVAL AFTER WEEKS OF
ENGAGEMENT AND SHELTER
REFERRALS.
LET US KNOW FROM YOUR
EXPERIENCE WHAT IS IT THAT THE
HOMELESS NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCED?
IN TERMS OF WHAT TYPE OF
ENGAGEMENT?
AND WHAT TYPE OF REFERRALS?
WE KEEP HEARING THE GENERIC
STATEMENT THAT THOSE WHO
ACCEPTED WHAT WE OFFERED, WE
KNOW ABOUT THEM.
IMPLYING THAT THE GOOD OFFERS
WERE MADE AND THE OTHERS DID
NOT ACCEPT IT FOR STRANGE
REASONS THAT ARE
INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO US THAT OUR
HOUSE.
I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT
WHAT JESSICA SAID, AND ALSO
TARA, THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
THE, WHAT IS OFFERED IS
CONCURRENT TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE
LOOKING FOR.
BECAUSE THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
FOR SOME DETAILS.
AND ALSO, THIS IS A QUESTION I
ASKED THE EARLIER PANEL, WHERE
HAVE THE RESIDENTS OF THE
RECENT SWEEPS GONE?
IS REACH ABLE TO TRACK THAT?
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOME
RESOURCES.
AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED AFTER
MANY OF THE SWEEPS?
AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO
RESTRICT YOUR ANSWERS, JUST
WHAT IS HAPPENING DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
BUT IN GENERAL.
YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND
FOR YEARS ON THIS, OVERALL WHAT
IS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF WHAT HAS
HAPPENED AFTER EACH SUITE?
WHAT HAS HAPPENED AFTER THE
JUNGLE SWEEP, FOR EXAMPLE.
AFTER WHAT CHIEF BEST WAS
SAYING MOTIVATED BY CRIME.
WHICH OF COURSE I SHARED BUT
WHAT ABOUT THE HOMELESS
NEIGHBORS?
WHAT DO WE KNOW AND NOT KNOW
ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SWEPT
MARK AND THEN, IN ADDITION TO
THOSE QUESTIONS I WOULD JUST
NOTE IT IS QUITE UNFORTUNATE
THAT WE HAVE HAD TWO PANELS BUT
NOT ONE PERSON WHO HAS ACTUALLY
EXPERIENCED A SWEEP.
A HOMELESS NEIGHBOR WHO HAS
EXPERIENCED A SWEEP ON EITHER
PANEL.
WE HAD REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA AND
THE MAYOR'S OFFICE BUT NOBODY
FROM REAL CHANGE OR A TINY
HOUSE VILLAGE RESIDENTS.
BUSINESS OWNERS ARE FREE TO
TALK ABOUT HOW TO FIX THEM BUT
I DO NOT THINK THAT THEY ARE
THE ONES TO BE ASKED ABOUT WHAT
HOMELESS PEOPLE NEED.
I WANT IT TO BE NOTED THAT I
THINK THIS DISCUSSION WOULD BE
BETTER INFORMED BY SOMEBODY WHO
IS ACTUALLY EXPERIENCING THE
SWEEPS AND WHAT THEIR VIEW IS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
ALLISON, DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND
TO THAT QUESTION FIRST?
>> WELL, I HEARD SEVERAL
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT, AND I WILL MAYBE TRY TO
SAY WHAT I CAN SPEAK TO.
AND OBVIOUSLY JESSICA HAS THE
MOST DIRECT PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE.
AS I SAID, I DID ASK A NUMBER
OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND
OUTREACH WORKERS IN PREPARATION
OF THE EVENING, TO TELL ME WHAT
THEY KNEW.
AND I SHARED SOME OF THESE
EXPERIENCES WITH YOU.
AND I THINK THE REALITY IS, AS
I HOPE EVERY COUNCILMEMBER
UNDERSTANDS, THERE ARE PEOPLE
WHO HAVE BEEN SWEPT MULTIPLE
TIMES.
WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED
MULTIPLE TIMES.
NOT MADE BETTER.
AND, I, YOU KNOW I VENTURE TO
SAY THAT AT THE HEART OF THIS IS
UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT TAKES TO
DO THE KIND OF SKILLED OUTREACH
WORK AT THE LEVEL OF THE REACH
TEAM OR THE -- TEAM THAT
SPECIALIZES IN SERVING PEOPLE
WITH PARTICULARLY SERIOUS
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS.
IS TIME.
TRUST.
RELATIONSHIP.
AND SKILL.
AND OF COURSE, THE RESOURCES TO
OFFER PEOPLE.
I MEAN IT IS NOT NEW TO OFFER
PEOPLE WITHOUT SHELTER A HOTEL
ROOM.
WHAT IS NEW IS THAT THERE IS
NOW A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THAT
HAS COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA
SAID, ALLOWS FOR AT THE MOMENT
75% OF THE COST OF A HOTEL ROOM
TO BE COVERED FOR A LARGE
PORTION OF PEOPLE THROUGH FEMA
DOLLARS.
WHAT IS NEW IS THAT PEOPLE ARE
UNDERSTANDING THE EXTENT TO
WHICH IT IS POSSIBLE TO BOTH
HELP RESPOND TO THE KINDS OF
CONCERNS THAT LISA HOWARD
DESCRIBED IN THAT ESTHER LUCERO
DESCRIBED, AND RESPOND TO THE
NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
HOMELESS, BY ACTUALLY GIVING
PEOPLE SOMEWHERE STABLE AND
BETTER TO BE.
AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF MY
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS OBSERVED
TO ME THAT WHAT THEIR STAFF
REPEATEDLY TELL THEM, THE STAFF
THAT PROVIDE SKILLED OUTREACH
IN THE COMMUNITY, IS THAT MANY
OF THE PEOPLE THEY INTERACT
WITH HAVE BEEN PETER LEE
TRAUMATIZED.
AND IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT
TO ENGAGE WITH THOSE FOLKS.
IT BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO
PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT THERE IS
SOMETHING USEFUL.
[ LAUGHTER ] THAT STAFF HAVE
TO OFFER.
SO, WHERE PEOPLE GO, IT
SOMETIMES IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE
THAT RESPONDED TO ME SAID, THIS
IS A MASTERS LEVEL NURSE, PART
OF A TEAM, TOLD ME THAT THEY
HAD FOUND PEOPLE WHO HAD JUST
GONE DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO THE
WOODS.
THEY HAD LOST THEIR MEDICATION
IN THE LAST SWEEP AND THEREFORE
THERE WAS SOMEBODY WITH
DIABETES NOT GETTING INSULIN.
AND YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS IS
NOT GOOD.
BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THAT
WAY.
I JUST WANT TO, I AM SO SORRY
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT, I DID
NOT RETAIN ALL OF THE QUESTIONS
THAT YOU GROUPED TOGETHER BUT I
THINK THAT WE CAN TALK A LOT
ABOUT THE HARM BEING DONE, AND
I FEEL SADLY AS THOUGH WE HAVE
DONE THAT WITH LITTLE RESULT.
AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HOPE
WE CAN DO IN THE TIME THAT WE
CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS LENGTHY
MEETING, IS TO IDENTIFY THE
WAYS THAT THE COUNCIL CAN ENSURE
THAT WE ARE NOT DEPRIVING
SEATTLE RESIDENTS OF A SAFER
PLACE TO BE.
BUT INSTEAD, LISTENING TO WHAT
THEY ARE ALREADY TELLING US AND
SAYING HOW WILL WE MAKE THAT
HAPPEN?
I THOUGHT ESTHER'S POINT WAS A
FANTASTIC ONE.
WE HAVE CREATIVE ALBUM SOLVING
PEOPLE THROUGHOUT CITY
GOVERNMENT AND THROUGHOUT
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
WE CAN AND SHOULD DO A LOT TO
MAKE THINGS BETTER, AND THAT
WILL HELP THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE
AND WORK IN PIONEER SQUARE, IN
THE CHINATOWN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT, AND ALL OVER THIS
COMMUNITY.
AND INSTEAD, THE EFFECT IS THAT
ESSENTIALLY, WHILE FOCUSING ON
SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT, WE
HAVE NOT SEEN ANY FOCUSED
RESOURCE RESPONSE THAT DRAWS ON
THE COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE THAT
WOULD ACTUALLY RESPOND TO THE
COMPLAINTS THAT YOU ARE HEARING.
WHETHER THEY ARE FROM BUSINESS
OWNERS, COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, OR
PEOPLE WHO THEMSELVES ARE
HOMELESS.
>> ALLISON, THANK YOU FOR THAT
RESPONSE.
JESSICA, DO YOU WANT TO JUMP IN
ON COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
COMMENTS AS WELL?
>> DEFINITELY.
THE REASON WHY PEOPLE WANT
HOTELS, OR A TINY HOUSE, OF
COURSE IS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE
FREE WILL AND PRIVACY.
AND PEOPLE HAVE THEIR OWN SPACE.
IT IS REALLY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO
GO INTO SHELTERS WITH A LOT OF
PEOPLE.
AND A TIGHT SPACE.
MOOD SHELTERS, MOST SHELTERS
HAVE PART TIME MENTAL HEALTH OR
SUBSTITUTE. THE PEOPLE WANT
NAVIGATION CENTER BECAUSE IT IS
LOW BARRIER AND THEY ARE NOT
CRIMINALIZED FOR THEIR
SUBSTANCE USE.
THAT IS WHY I HEAR FROM A LOT
OF PEOPLE, THEY WILL NOT GET
CRIMINALIZED, FROM THEIR
SUBSTANCE USE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CAMP OUT
THERE IS BECAUSE THEY ARE
HOPING TO GET REFERRALS INTO
THE NAB CENTER.
ALSO THEY ARE REALLY FLEXIBLE
ABOUT MOVING BEDS AND MOVING
PEOPLE IF THEY ARE IN A
RELATIONSHIP IN A COUPLE.
COUPLES CAN STAY TOGETHER AT
THE NAV CENTER.
PEOPLE CAN STAY TOGETHER AT THE
BRIDGE OR TINY HOUSES.
AND PETS ARE ALLOWED.
AND MOTELS.
OF COURSE.
AND HOTELS.
AND SO, THE OTHER SHELTERS, IT
IS EITHER A MAT ON A FLOOR, A
TIGHT SPACE, A LOT OF PEOPLE,
NOT A LOT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE OR NO
RESOURCES.
CITY HALL AND YOU KNOW, THERE
ARE A LOT OF SHELTERS WHO, IT
IS JUST FOR OVERNIGHT.
YOU HAVE TO BE THERE AT A
CERTAIN TIME AND WAIT IN LINE
FOR ONE HOUR OR MORE TO GET IN.
THERE IS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY
THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH
BEDS.
THAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN IS SOMEONE
WHO CALLED ME YESTERDAY.
HE DID NOT MAKE IT, HE DID NOT
MAKE IT TO CITY HALL.
BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH
AVAILABLE BEDS.
NO, THIS WAS TWO DAYS AGO.
HE GOT OUT OF QUARANTINE, HE WAS
TRYING TO GO TO CITY HALL TO
SLEEP THERE AND THEY WERE FULL.
AND HE WANTED A PLACE TO SHOWER
AND DO LAUNDRY.
I SAID OKAY, THE BEST THING
THAT I CAN DO IS PUT IN A
REFERRAL FOR THE 24-HOUR
SHELTER.
YOU WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL A FEW
HOURS LATER.
IN A FEW HOURS GO BY AND HE
CALLS ME. I
TOLD HIM THAT I STILL HAD NOT
HEARD YET.
LET ME FOLLOW UP.
THE NAVIGATORS ARE THE ONLY
PEOPLE THAT ARE IN CONTROL, THE
NAVIGATION TEAM IS IN CONTROL
OF ALL 24 HOURS SHELTERS.
SO ALL REFERRALS FROM ALL
PROVIDERS IN SEATTLE HAVE TO GO
THROUGH THEM FIRST.
THEY DICTATE, THEY HAVE TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO ALLOCATE THEM
I NEED, OR BY WHO COMES FIRST
AND ALL THAT STUFF.
AND SO, SO, THE PERSON AT
REACHED A POINT HAS TO SEND A
TEXT SAYING, WHO IS OR HAVE YOU
HEARD ANYTHING BACK YET?
THEN THE NAVIGATOR HAS TO
CONNECT WITH THE SHELTERS AND
THAT PROCESS IS A PAIN IN THE
BUTT SOMETIMES.
AND YOU CANNOT CONTACT THEM AND
ALL THAT STUFF.
IT IS PERSON-TO-PERSON.
FINALLY I GET A RESPONSE BACK
SAYING, OF COURSE WE ALL CARE.
BUT, I GET A RESPONSE SAYING
SORRY, NO MORE 24 HOUR SHELTER
BEDS LEFT.
SO THEN I HAVE TO LET THEM
KNOW.
CAN YOU TRY TO GO TO CITY HALL
EARLIER TONIGHT AND STAY THERE?
CALL ME TOMORROW MORNING AND
LET'S TRY AGAIN.
HE CALLED ME AT 8:15 A.M.
THIS MORNING.
I TOLD HIM THAT I WON'T KNOW
FOR A FEW HOURS BUT CALL ME AT
NOON.
HE CALLED ME AT 12:30 AND I
STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED A
RESPONSE.
SO I HAD TO LET HIM KNOW THAT I
STILL DO NOT KNOW.
THE WHOLE PROCESS FOR THAT
PERSON IS TRAUMATIZING.
IT IS FRUSTRATING.
AND FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS GONE
THROUGH THIS MULTIPLE TIMES, IT
IS KIND OF LIKE THROWING MY
HANDS UP IN THE AIR.
AND IF THERE IS MENTAL HEALTH
OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ALONG WITH
IT, IT IS LIKE THROWING MY FEET
UP ALONG WITH IT.
AS SOON AS THIS PROCESS IS OVER
I'M GOING OFF THE GRID AND
DOING MY OWN THING BECAUSE
PEOPLE CLEARLY DO NOT CARE.
SO AT 2:00 I WAS ABLE, I WAS
INFORMED HE DID GET INTO THE 24-
HOUR ENHANCED BED.
KEEP IN MIND THIS IS SOMEBODY
WHO LUCKILY AND THANKFULLY HAS
A PHONE.
ON OUTREACH WHEN I MEET SOMEONE
FROM 8:00 UNTIL 10:00, AND I
PLAN THERE SHELTER ROLE, THEY
DON'T HAVE A PHONE AND I HAVE
NO WAY TO CONTACT THEM.
THEY HAVE TO BE AT THE SHELTER
BY 4:00 P.M.
I HAVE NO WAY TO REACH THEM.
IF I GO BACK LOOKING FOR THEM
AND THEY ARE NOT THERE TO MAKE
THIS THE SHELTERREFERRAL.
BUT IN THE CITY THAT IS COUNTED
AS ACCEPTED.
AND SO IT IS VERY UNFAIR, IT IS
THE WAY IT IS PRETRADE, VERY
INACCURATE.
AND, WHEN I GO ON OUTREACH A
LOT OF PEOPLE SAY I WANT TO GO,
I HAVE A COUPLE, I HAVE A DOG,
I HAVE HEALTH ISSUES, I CAN BE
AROUND A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.
I, I WANT THE NAV CENTER OR
TINY HOME.
MOST OF THE TIME I LET THEM
KNOW THAT THERE ARE NO BEDS
TODAY, OR THERE ARE ONLY TWO
BEDS, AND THEN THEY WILL
PROBABLY BE TAKEN.
OR I LET THEM KNOW THAT THERE
IS ONE BED BUT THAT IS FOR THE
ENTIRE SEATTLE.
AND I CAN PUT IN A REFERRAL FOR
YOU BUT IT IS HIGHLY, HIGHLY
UNLIKELY YOU WILL GET THAT BED.
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER OPTIONS?
AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO GO TO
CITY HALL.
AND THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO AN
OVERNIGHT SHELTER.
THEY WANT TO GO TO A PLACE
WHERE THEY CAN HAVE A STABLE
PLACE TO STAY.
WORK TOWARDS HOUSING WITH THE
CITY NAVIGATOR.
IDEALLY, HAVE MORE MENTAL
HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SUPPORT IN THE SHELTERS PEOPLE
ARE STAYING AT.
AND FOR THE SHELTERS TO HAVE
MORE SUPPORT THERE TOO.
I KNOW FROM SHELTER STAFF IT IS
HARD ON THEM AS WELL.
SO THE WHOLE PROCESS OF GETTING
OUT OF HOUSING IS BROKEN.
YOU HAVE TO GO TO MULTIPLE
PEOPLE.
ALL OF US, ALL RESOURCES,
EVERYONE ON HERE DOES NOT HAVE
ENOUGH SUPPORT.
SO ALL CASE MANAGERS ARE PACKED
FULL AND STILL GIVING QUALITY
CARE, WHICH IS DOING THE BEST
WE CAN.
WITH MINIMAL RESOURCES.
AND IT IS NOT WORKING.
AND IT SUCKS THAT WHAT IS BEING
SPREAD OUT TO PEOPLE IS NOT
GIVEN AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF
THIS PROCESS.
AND THE SEVERITY OF IT AND HOW
MANY PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE IS
JUST HIGH NUMBERS.
BUT THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE IN
NEED ARE FIVE TIMES THE AMOUNT
HIGHER, 10 TIMES THE AMOUNT
HIGHER.
YEAH, WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO --
>> CAN I ASK A FOLLOW-UP?
I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T WANT TO
INTERRUPT YOUR TRAIN OF THOUGHT
BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU ARE
SAYING IS FROM YOUR OUTREACH
WORK, I MEAN THERE IS A, THERE
IS MUCH MORE DEMAND THAN
SUPPLY.
>> YES.
>> YEAH.
AND I REALLY, I REALLY WANT TO
THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING NOT.
I THINK THAT IS THE CRUX OF A
LOT OF WHAT WE ARE STRUGGLING
WITH AS A COUNCIL HERE.
AND I MEAN YOU ARE ON THE GROUND
AND YOUR WORK IS REALLY
INSTRUCTIVE IN DRIVING AT HOME.
>> CAN I JUST ADD COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS, THE RESPONSES FROM
ALLISON, AND ESPECIALLY JESSICA
ON THE ON THE GROUND
EXPERIENCE, EXACTLY WHAT I WAS
LOOKING FOR.
AND I AM SURE, I HOPE AT LEAST,
IT WAS HELPFUL TO ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS BECAUSE I THINK
THAT WAS A VERY CONCRETE
RESPONSE ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY
HAPPENING AND WHY IS IT THAT
THEY END UP NOT IN SHELTERS?
IN THE REAL SITUATIONS THAT THEY
FACE.
JESSICA, OVERALL THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TESTIMONIAL.
BUT ESPECIALLY FOR HIGHLIGHTING
THAT THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND
THAT THEY DO NEED PRIVACY.
AND THAT PRIVACY IS A BIG
CONSIDERATION ALSO IN TERMS OF
WHAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO WORK
FOR THEM AND WHAT IS NOT GOING
TO WORK FOR THEM.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH,
VERY GOOD POINTS.
SO, COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD IS
OUR NEXT QUESTIONER.
>> MAY I JUMP IN FOR A SECOND?
>> I'M SORRY.
LEASE.
>> I JUST WANTED TO -- A LITTLE
BIT FROM COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA
AND COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
PREVIOUS QUESTIONS.
OFTEN ME BY THE PEOPLE THAT ARE
LEFT BEHIND TO ARE NOT
ACCEPTING SERVICES, OR NOT
ELIGIBLE FOR THE SERVICES
PROVIDED ARE THE PEOPLE WITH
THE GREATEST BARRIERS AND
GREATEST CHALLENGES.
WHETHER IT IS LEGAL BACKGROUND
OR MENTAL HEALTH PROFILE.
I BELIEVE THAT JESSICA DID A
REALLY GOOD JOB ABOUT TALKING
ABOUT THE ENHANCED SERVICES AND
SUPPORT NEEDED FOR THOSE WHO I
HAVE EXPRESSED BEFORE, WHO HAVE
MORE SERVICE NEEDS.
I WANT TO ALSO REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN
BUSINESS LEADERS WHO ARE
STARTING TO SAY, WE JUST NEED
THE PLAN.
IF YOU GIVE US THE PLAN WE WILL
GIVE YOU THE TIME TO EXECUTE
THE PLAN.
I REALLY APPRECIATE
COORDINATING WITH THEM.
WE ALSO HAVE BEEN, DUE TO
COORDINATION AND CONVERSATION,
REACH RECENTLY WENT OUT TO
SECOND AVENUE EXTENSION ENDED
IN A SENSITIVE EXTENSIVE
ASSESSMENT, ABOUT THE
COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE STREETS
AND WHO WOULD BE IN THEORY THE
BEST MATCH FOR WHAT SERVICES.
THEY FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT
OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE
APPROPRIATE AND ARE APPROPRIATE
FOR CO-LEAD, I HAVING MENTAL
HEALTH NEEDS.
BUT WE COULD SERVE AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE NEEDS THAT WE
COULD SERVE IN HOTELS.
BUT THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS OUT
THERE THAT EXCEED THE NEEDS,
WHICH AGAIN HIGHLIGHTS AN
ASPECT THAT JESSICA WAS TALKING
TO.
WE DO BELIEVE THAT THIS CAN BE
SUPPORTED, THESE INDIVIDUALS
I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT DON'T
MATCH THE CODE LEAD MODEL OR
OTHER MODELS.
KIND OF THE DESC HOST CLIENTS,
OR PEOPLE WITH COMPETENCIES AND
ISSUES.
BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE HAVE
THEORIZED, AND THIS IS MUCH TO
THE WORK OF A COLLEAGUE OF
MINE, JESSE BINET, WHO YOU HAVE
HEARD OF.
THAT COMES BACK TO
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, YOUR
QUESTION, MORE EXTENSIVE
SUPPORT OF LODGING PEOPLE IN
HOTELS, EVEN THOUGH WE THINK
IT COULD BE POSSIBLE.
THAT ALLOWS THOSE INDIVIDUALS
TO SHELTER IN PLACE, THEY NEED
MORE THAN ONE ENGAGEMENT, THEY
NEED MEALS BROUGHT TO THEM AND
LIKELIHOOD OF A STAFF ON SITE
24/7.
AND AN OVERNIGHT SUPPORT STAFF
THAT CAN SUPPORT AND ENGAGE IN
THE INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE PLANS
AND HAVE MEDICAL SERVICE
PROVIDERS, MENTAL HEALTH
PROVIDERS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE
PROVIDERS, GO TO THOSE PLACES
AND MEET THEM.
IF THAT WAS ALL PACKAGE THAT IS
THE SUPPORT WE SEE THAT COULD
MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR
PEOPLE LIKE LISA HOWARD'S
CONSTITUENCY WHO ARE SAYING
THEY NEED TO OPEN BUSINESSES
AND MAKE THING HAPPENED.
BUT RIGHT NOW IT IS NOT
ATTAINABLE TO DO THAT.
>> BUT JUST TO BE CLEAR TARA,
SORRY COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
IF I COULD JUST SAY BECAUSE
TARA AND I SPOKE ABOUT IT
EARLIER.
>> WE NEED TO GET TO A FEW MORE
QUESTIONS BUT GO AHEAD.
PLEASE.
>> BELIEVE ME WE ARE READY TO
WRAP UP.
[ LAUGHTER ] I WANT TO BE
CLEAR IT IS NOT THAT WE DON'T
HAVE THE SKILLED FOLKS TO BE
ABLE TO SERVE PEOPLE.
IT IS THAT THERE IS NOT A PLACE
FOR THEM TO GO.
SO WHEREAS WE NEVER HAD ENOUGH
SHELTER, THERE WAS SOME LEVEL OF
TURNOVER, SOMETHING LIKE BETWEEN
5% AND 12% FOR SINGLE ADULT
SHELTERS, AND SO THERE WAS SOME
SORT OF A FORM, IF YOU WILL, OF
A GAME OF MUSICAL CHAIRS.
MUSICAL MATS ON THE FLOOR.
NOW IT IS ONE OR TWO SPOTS A
DAY.
FOR A WEEK RATHER, OPENING UP.
SO, THOSE FOLKS THAT TARA IS
TALKING ABOUT, ABSOLUTELY WOULD
FIT WITH SERVICES PROVIDED BY
OTHER SKILLED TEAMS IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
BUT WE DON'T HAVE PHYSICAL
ROOMS FOR THOSE FOLKS.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SO, COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, YOU
ARE UP NEXT FOR A QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU.
IT IS SHORT AND FOR ALLISON.
ALLISON, CAN YOU GIVE ME OR US
YOUR OPINION ON WHAT THE
APPROPRIATE ROLE IS FOR THE
NAVIGATION TEAM IN REGARDS TO
COVID-19 TESTING?
>> IN A WORD, NO.
[ LAUGHTER ] I MEAN I CAN GIVE
YOU MY OPINION.
AND IT IS A TERRIBLE IDEA.
BUT I THINK THAT THERE ARE GOOD
PEOPLE WHO ARE ASSOCIATED WITH
THE NAVIGATION TEAM AND WHAT
SEEMS NOT TO BE UNDERSTOOD VERY
GENERALLY, PERHAPS THAT IS A
RESULT OF HUMAN NATURE, IS THAT
THE NAVIGATION TEAM IS NOT
GENERALLY SPEAKING A TRUSTED
SET OF FACTORS IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND IN ORDER TO DO A GOOD JOB
WITH TESTING, YOU NEED TO HAVE
TRUST.
SO, THAT IDEA WAS RAISED TO ME
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND I
EXPLAINED THAT I THOUGHT THAT
IT WOULD NOT BE A VERY SMART OR
RESPECTFUL IDEA.
AND IN FACT, I THINK THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE REALLY SKILLED AT DOING
THAT ARE ACTUALLY OUT THERE
TALKING TO FOLKS.
AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE,
WHETHER THEY ARE FOLKS WHO WORK
IN PLACES LIKE THE SEATTLE
INDIAN HEALTH BOARD, OR OTHER
HEALTHCARE SETTINGS IN THE
COMMUNITY ALREADY, OR PEOPLE
WHO ARE PART OF SKILLED MEDICAL
INTEGRATED OUTREACH TEAMS IN
THE COMMUNITY ALREADY, WHO ARE
ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH PEOPLE.
AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO
RELY ON AND BOLSTER.
BUT, SOMEBODY WHO IS ASSOCIATED
WITH JUST DISRUPTING A PLACE
WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING, IS NOT
THAT, THAT REALLY IS AGAIN THE
OPPOSITE OF WHAT IS EFFECTIVE
IN TERMS OF GAINING ENOUGH
TRUST FROM SOMEONE TO HAVE THEM
AGREED TO BE TESTED.
AND THEN AS I SAID IN MY
REMARKS, I AM ALSO CONCERNED
THAT IN TERMS OF DOING
APPROPRIATE CONTACT TRACING,
THAT REALY IS SOMETHING WHERE
THE SKILL SET THAT COMMUNITY-
BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR
STAFF AND OUTREACH TEAMS IN THE
COMMUNITY HAVE, IS HIGHLY
RELEVANT.
IF SOMEONE YOU DID NOT KNOW
WALKED UP TO YOU AND ASKED A
LOT OF PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT
WHO YOU HAVE BEEN SPENDING TIME
WITH AND ASKED IF YOU WOULD
HAVE A TEST, WHEN YOU REALLY
DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION
ABOUT WHAT THAT TEST IS AND
WHAT THE RESULTS OF HAVING A
TEST ARE GOING TO BE FOR YOUR
LIFE, YOU WOULD PROBABLY ALSO
REFUSE.
[ LAUGHTER ] AND WE NEED TO
ENCOURAGE PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM
INFORMATION.
THAT IS ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS
THAT SORELY HAS BEEN LACKING.
I THINK JESSICA'S POINT WAS A
GOOD ONE, THAT SHE IS A SOURCE
OF INFORMATION.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I HAVE
BEEN EXPRESSING HOMELESSNESS
HAVE ASKED ME IF I HAVE A
NEWSPAPER.
PEOPLE DON'T HAVE INFORMATION
ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE
BASICS OF PROVIDING SOLID
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALLISON THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES HAS
THE LAST QUESTION, AT WHICH
POINT I HAVE ONE FINAL
QUESTION AND THEN WE WILL
FINISH WITH THE PANEL.
SO, COUNCILMEMBER MORALES
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS CAN I
ASK A PROCESS QUESTION, PLEASE?
SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
BUT YOU WOULD KNOW THE ANSWER
TO THE QUESTION.
ARE WE EXPECTING A BOAT?
I AM JUST ASKING BECAUSE IT IS
RUNNING INTO THE NEXT MEETING.
>> YES, I THINK CONSIDERING THE
LATE HOUR AND THE DISCUSSION, I
WOULD NOT, THERE WILL NOT BE A
VOTE TODAY, AT LEAST THAT WOULD
BE MY PREFERENCE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YES.
YES.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
>> SO, I, WELL, THAT IS
BASICALLY WHERE I WAS GOING.
I WANT TO THINK JESSICA FOR
YOUR POWERFUL TESTIMONY AND
HEARING THE SORT OF NUTS AND
BOLTS ABOUT HOW THIS SHELTER
REFERRAL SYSTEM WORKS OR DOES
NOT WORK.
AND GETTING A REAL ON THE
GROUND UNDERSTANDING OF THAT
SORT OF BYZANTINE NATURE OF
WHAT PEOPLE ARE PUT THROUGH, IS
REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO
UNDERSTAND.
ALLISON MENTIONED, YOU KNOW THE
NAVIGATION TEAM BEING A
GATEKEEPER FOR HUNDREDS OF
ROOMS.
I THINK IT IS CLEAR WE REALLY
NEED TO DIG INTO HOW TO ADDRESS
THOSE QUESTIONS.
AND THOSE CHALLENGES SO WE CAN
ACTUALLY BE SERVING PEOPLE
BETTER.
AND, GIVEN THAT WE ARE HEADING
INTO THE SIXTH HOUR OF THIS
CONVERSATION, MY QUESTION TO
THE CHAIR WAS GOING TO BE IF WE
WERE PLANNING ON HAVING ANOTHER
MEETING SO WE CAN DISCUSS THE
AMENDMENTS AND ACTUALLY MOVE
THE BILL AND KEEP THE
CONVERSATION GOING.
>> CERTAINLY.
BUT LET'S FINISH WITH THIS
PANEL AND THEN HAVE THAT
DISCUSSION IS HOW I WOULD REFER
TO HANDLE THAT.
SO, COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, ANY
OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE PANEL?
OKAY.
I HAVE ONE FINAL QUESTION AND
THEN WE WILL CLOSE IT OUT.
AND IT IS FOR LISA HOWARD.
SO, LISA HOWARD, THIS IS JUST A
PROCESS QUESTION.
I WANT TO ASK, BECAUSE I AM ON
A CALL EVERY WEEK WITH THE BIAS
AND I APPRECIATE THE MEETING
WITH THE BIAS IN THE CITY.
I WAS JUST SPEAKING ABOUT THE
BIA AND FUNCTIONS THEY SERVE.
WE ALL HAVE A COMMON GOAL OF
GETTING OUR NEIGHBORS INSIDE.
AND I THINK ONE THING WE HAVE
RELEASING TODAY FROM THIS
CONVERSATION IS ANY WAY OUT OF
THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE SOME
PRIORITIZATION INCREASING THE
AMOUNT OF PLACEMENTS THAT CAN BE
OFFERED BY OUR OUTREACH WORKERS,
BE THEY TINY HOUSE VILLAGES,
HOTELS, WHATEVER.
AND CAN I WORK WITH YOU AND THE
OTHER BIA DIRECTORS, TO SEE IF
WE CAN BUILD SOME COMMON CAUSE?
I AM FOCUSING ON SCALING UP.
AND CAN WE ENGAGE VERTICALLY ON
THAT AS AN AREA OF ADVOCACY?
WHERE THE BIAS CAN BE AN ALLY
IN THIS?
>> YES.
AND I THINK ONE OF THE
CHALLENGES NOW IS THAT WITH
COVID-19, OUR -- HAVE BEEN
COMPLETELY DESTROYED.
SO WHAT WE ARE FACING IS
DISTRICTS, SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER,
EVERYONE IS FACING RIGHT NOW
ANYTHING SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER
THAN WE HAVE FACED TO DATE.
AND SO I THINK THAT WE NEED
BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM RELIEF
ON THIS.
AND I THINK THE SOLUTION IS
GOING TO BE A MIX AND NOT ONE
SINGLE THING.
I THINK EVERYBODY HAS TO COME
TO THE TABLE TO DO THAT AND
WORK TOGETHER, TO MAKE SURE
THAT THERE WILL BE RELIEF FOR
BOTH THE DISTRICTS, THE
BUSINESSES, THE STAKEHOLDERS OF
SEATTLE AS WELL AS THE
POPULATIONS CURRENTLY LIVING ON
THE STREET AND EATING RESOURCES
. WE DO NOT HAVE THE PLACE AND
WE HAVE CHALLENGES IN PLACE FOR
A REALLY LONG TIME.
IT IS NOT ANY EASIER DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
BUT YES.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING
UP WITH YOU ON THAT AND A LOT
OF THE FOLKS I CALLED IN
EARLIER TODAY.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH PANEL.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I AM GOING TO MAKE A FEW
COMMENTS HERE AND KIND OF WHAT
I SEE IS STEPS FORWARD BASED ON
THIS CONVERSATION TODAY.
YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM A
LOT OF FOLKS FROM THE
EXECUTIVE, TO HEAR FROM FOLKS
WHO WILL OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS,
SERVICE PROVIDERS ON THE FRONT
LINES OF THIS.
AND THE WELL OVER 100 PEOPLE
WHO CALLED IN DURING PUBLIC
COMMENT TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION
ON THIS.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES FOR SUBMITTING , BASED
ON ALL THAT, VERY PRESSEY AUNT
LEGISLATION THAT HAS REALLY
SPARKED AN IMPORTANT
CONVERSATION.
AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE
NEED TO GRAPPLE WITH.
I THINK THAT THE FIRST THING I
WANT TO SAY IS YOU KNOW I VERY
POINTEDLY ASKED SENIOR DEPUTY
MAYOR PHONG WHETHER THERE WOULD
BE A PATH FORWARD HERE
LEGISLATIVELY IN TERMS OF
GETTING A SET FROM THE
EXECUTIVE.
MY READ OF THE RESPONSE FROM
SENIOR DEPUTY MAYOR FONG WAS
PRETTY UNEQUIVOCAL, THAT THEY
DID NOT THINK THE LEGISLATIVE
PATH WAS SOMETHING THEY COULD
SEE THEMSELVES ASSENTING TO.
AND THEN THEY WERE ALSO
UNEQUIVOCAL IN THING THAT THEY
DO WANT TO WORK WITH THIS
COUNCIL TO ADVANCE POTENTIALLY
SOME OF THESE ISSUES THROUGH
ALTERNATIVE MEANS ALONG THE
LINES OF WHAT COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA , AND I, HAVE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT PURSUING IN OUR
LATER WE SENT IN LATE MARCH.
I WANT TO TAKE THE EXECUTIVE UP
ON THEIR OFFER TO COME TO THE
TABLE AND TALK TO US AS A
COUNCIL.
I THINK ESTHER LUCERO POINTED
RATHER WELL, SAYING WE SHOULD
BE ABLE TO FIND A WAY IN THE
CITY TO COME TOGETHER AND REACH
SOME KIND OF ACCORD.
I DO THINK THE EXECUTIVE WAS
ERNEST IN THEIR INTEREST IN
GETTING TOGETHER.
AND I WILL FLAG THREE AREAS I
WANT TO ADDRESS.
WITH THE EXECUTIVE.
THAT GET TO THE UNDERLYING
ISSUES WE ARE TRYING TO DEAL
WITH WITH THIS LEGISLATION.
FIRST, I WANT US TO DIVE INTO
AND LOOK AT A PLAN OR A PATH
WITH SOME KIND OF CONSULTATIVE
CONVERSATION ABOUT THE
MULTIDEPARTMENTAL
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES THAT
CURRENTLY NAVIGATE THE TEAM.
HOW WE CAN EVALUATE HOW THEY
ARE WORKING, WHERE THERE IS ROOM
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT IN THOSE
RULES AND WHAT CHANGES WE CAN
MAKE TO IMPROVE AND FIX THOSE
RULES.
ALONG THE LINES OF THE POSTURE
THAT THIS COUNCIL HAD ADOPTED
IN THE EARLY SPRING.
I WANT TO DISCUSS WITH OTHER
STAKEHOLDERS SOME SPECIAL AND
UNIQUE RESOURCES WE HAVE FROM
THE STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS,
AS WELL AS OTHER RESOURCES TO
SCALE UP CERTAIN PLACEMENTS, BE
THEY HOTELS, BE THEY TINY
HOUSES, AS WE HEARD EXTENSIVE
TESTIMONY TODAY FROM ALL OF OUR
PANELISTS THAT TINY HOUSES,
HOTELS, SHELTER OPTIONS THAT
ARE WORKING EFFECTIVELY
UNDESIRABLE AND ENDORSED BY OUR
OUTREACH WORKERS.
AND THERE IS ADMITTEDLY, AND
THIS IS NOT JUST A POST COVID-
19 , NOT JUST A COVID-19 ERA
PROBLEM, THERE HAS BEEN A LONG-
TERM LACK OF SUPPLY OF THE
SHELTER OPTIONS AND WAYS TO
BUILD ON AND EXPAND THOSE KINDS
OF OPTIONS SO WE CAN GET MORE
FOLKS OUT OF UNSANCTIONED
ENCAMPMENTS AND INSIDE.
AND FINALLY, CO-LEAD, JUST NOW
BECOMING OPERATIONAL, THAT HAS
ABOUT 120 SPACES, THAT
ULTIMATELY THEY WILL FILL WITH
PEOPLE IN SEATTLE.
AND HOW CO-LEAD AND THE
PLATFORM THAT CO-LEAD IS
OFFERING CAN HELP INFORM OUR
ENCAMPMENT REMOVAL STRATEGIES. I
CHECKED WITH THE CLERK
THROUGHOUT THIS COMMITTEE
MEETING AND JUNE 10th IS
CURRENTLY OPEN FOR A COMMITTEE
MEETING.
I AM REQUESTING THAT WE BE
JOINED FROM REPRESENTATIVES
FROM CBO, HSD, AND THE MAYOR'S
EXECUTIVE TEAM TO PARTICIPATE
IN THIS TABLE TO WORK THROUGH
SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND
DISCUSS THESE ISSUES IN GOOD
FAITH BETWEEN THIS COUNCIL AND
THE MAYOR TO MAKE SOME
MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THE VERY
REAL HUMAN ISSUES THAT THE CITY
IS GRAPPLING WITH AND THAT WE
HAVE DISCUSSED NOW FOR 5 1/2
HOURS.
YOU KNOW, FOR EVERYBODY THAT
TUNED IN FOR OUR BUSINESS
OWNERS, FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE
ENCAMPMENTS, FOR THE FOLKS THAT
LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN
THE CITY, FOR RENTERS LIKE
MYSELF, FOR HOMEOWNERS AND
PROPERTY OWNERS, WHO LIVE IN
SOME OF THE SINGLE-FAMILY
NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CITY, WE
ALL HAVE A UNIFIED INTEREST
DESPITE OUR DIFFERENT POSITIONS
TO GET FOLKS OUT OF ENCAMPMENTS
AND INSIDE.
AND I WANT THAT TO BE THE FRAME
FOR THIS NEXT CONVERSATION WE
HAVE ON THE 10th.
AND SEE IF WE CAN COME TO SOME
KIND OF ACCORD ON THIS.
I THINK EVERYBODY CAME TO THE
TABLE TODAY WITH AN INTEREST OF
DOING THAT.
YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT ALSO
GOING BACK TO THE PROCEDURES ON
THIS LEGISLATION, THERE HAVE
BEEN SOME AMENDMENTS THAT HAVE
BEEN INTRODUCED AND THAT
LEGISLATION WARRANTS DO
DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF
THOSE AMENDMENTS.
WITH A LITTLE MORE TIME FOR
PEOPLE TO REVIEW THEM.
SO AGAIN, I THINK JUST BECAUSE
THE HOUR IS LATE, I PROPOSE
THAT WE MOVE THIS DISCUSSION,
AND I WILL WORK WITH
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD AND THE
EXECUTIVE TEAM TO SHAPE AN
AGENDA FOR THE JUNE 10th
MEETING AND WORK THROUGH THESE
ISSUES TOGETHER AS A UNIFIED
CITY GOVERNMENT, TO MAKE
PROGRESS IN AREAS WHERE ALL OF
US ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS PROGRESS
TO BE MADE.
AND WE HEARD A LOT OF THAT FROM
ALL CORNERS OF THIS DISCUSSION
TODAY.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT
DISCUSSION ON JUNE 10th.
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL NOT GO
UNTIL 7:30.
SO, WITH THAT I WANT TO TURN IT
OVER TO COMMENTS FROM OTHER
COUNCILMEMBERS.
BEFORE WE GO TO NEW BUSINESS.
>> MR. CHAIR, MAY I SPEAK?
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK
EVERYBODY FOR 5 1/2 HOURS.
AND I DO AGREE WITH YOUR
LEADERSHIP CHAIRMAN, THAT WE
MOVE THIS OVER TO JUNE 10th.
I THINK IN LIGHT OF 5 1/2 HOURS
HEARING FROM THESE COMPLEX
ISSUES FROM OUR SERVICE
PROVIDERS, FROM THE EXECUTIVE,
AND OUR COLLEAGUES, THAT I FEEL
I NEED MORE TIME OFF-LINE TO
HAVE SOME OF MY OUTSTANDING
QUESTIONS ADDRESSED AND SOME OF
THE ONES YOU HAVE ADDRESSED
THAT SOME WE MAY BE ABLE TO
SOLVE ADMINISTRATIVELY.
SOME OF IT MAY BE THROUGH
LEGISLATION.
BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AT
THIS JUNCTURE I AM PREPARED AND
CANNOT SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES,
OBVIOUSLY, THAT WE AND I WOULD
WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN
NOW AND JUNE 10th TO LOOK AGAIN
AT THE BASE LEGISLATION AND GO
BACK OVER THE THREE AMENDMENTS.
BECAUSE I HAVE MANY OUTSTANDING
QUESTIONS AND THINK A LOT OF
THIS WE CAN GET ANSWERED OFF-
LINE.
I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND ANOTHER
5 1/2 HOURS ON THIS.
THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS
WISHING TO SPEAK?
THERE
>> OKAY.
I AM NOT SEEING ANYONE ELSE
JUMPING IN FOR IT.
SORRY.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES .
>> SORRY.
I WAS TOGGLING ON THE SURFACE
THING, IT JUST IS NOT MY THING.
I WANTED TO JUST GIVE A FINAL
THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO HAS
BEEN SITTING WITH US ON THIS
CONVERSATION FOR MANY HOURS NOW.
I DO THINK THAT IT HAS RAISED,
BROUGHT INTO RELIEF JUST HOW
CRITICAL THIS ISSUE IS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT
NEED TO BE ADJUSTED.
W NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE ACTUALLY SERVING THE MOST
VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY,
AND THAT INCLUDES PROVIDING THE
KIND OF SYSTEMS THAT ALLOW FOR
OUR SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DO
THEIR JOB.
LISTENING TO JESSICA TALK ABOUT
THE GRIND THAT SHE GOES THROUGH
WITH A CLIENT, TO GET ONE PERSON
INTO HOUSING, KNOWING THAT WE
HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO
NEED SUPPORT AND HELP.
I THINK IT IS TROUBLING THAT
THINGS ARE SO BROKEN.
AND IF NOTHING ELSE, THIS FIVE
HOURS HAS REALLY, MY HOPE, IS
THAT IT REALLY HELPED US
UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A LOT
OF WORK TO DO TO SERVE OUR
COMMUNITY, TO SERVE OUR
HOMELESS NEIGHBORS, AND MAKE
SURE THAT THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS
WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES, TRY
TO DO THE BEST THAT THEY CAN
FOR OUR NEIGHBORS.
HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY
NEED, THE SYSTEMS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE THEY NEED TO DO
THEIR JOB WELL.
SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THIS
HOMELESSNESS CRISIS OUT OF THE
CRISIS COLUMN.
AND ACTUALLY SUPPORT OUR
COMMUNITY BETTER.
SO I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING
TOGETHER AND WORKING IN
PARTNERSHIP TO DO THE RIGHT
THING.
AND, MY HOPE IS THAT WE WILL
HAVE, AS YOU SAID,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, HAVE A
SINCERE EFFORT TO BRING FOLKS
TOGETHER AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
AND COMMIT TO THE INVESTMENT IN
THE SYSTEM CHANGES THAT WE NEED
TO SERVE PEOPLE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER.
WITH THAT, BEFORE WE ADJOURN,
IS THERE ANY NEW, I'M SORRY,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
I JUST WANTED TO ECHO THE
POINTS, AN EXCELLENT SUMMARY
ABOUT THE POWERFUL TESTIMONY
FROM BOTH OF THE PANELS AND I
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
LEADERSHIP COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS,
IN OUTLINING THE THREE BUCKETS
WHERE WE ARE EXPECTING ANSWERS
IN THOSE AREAS.
AND ALSO THROUGH A
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH I THINK
THE COMMUNITY IS DEMANDING OF
US THAT WE RESPOND.
I REALLY JUST WANT TO ECHO
SOMETHING THAT TARA SAID
PREVIOUSLY.
AND I THINK AS WE HEAR FROM
COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE BOTH
CONCERNED ABOUT FOLKS LIVING
OUTSIDE FOR THEIR SAFETY, OR
CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY THEY
ARE ARTICULATING, THAT WE
CLEARLY TALKED ABOUT AS WELL,
IT IS A CALL FOR US TO ACT.
AND I THINK MAKING SURE THAT WE
HAVE THIS MEETING ON JUNE 10th
WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THE
CALL OF ACTION.
AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK
YOU FOR EVERYBODY'S LONG
ENGAGEMENT ON THIS.
ESPECIALLY THE PRIME SPONSOR OF
THE BILL FOR MAKING THIS
VEHICLE POSSIBLE FOR THIS
DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
SO BEFORE WE ADJOURN, IS THERE
ANY OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE
COUNCIL?
SEEING AND HEARING NONE.
WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED UNTIL JUNE
10th.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
♪ ♪