On the agenda: Decision on microshelter site returns to Salem City Council
After a legal complaint and court intervention, the decision on whether to approve a microshelter site in downtown Salem is back before Salem City Council Monday.
The council first approved creating a homeless microshelter village at 1280 Center Street NE across from Safeway in February.
Microshelters give occupants a location to secure their belongings and a safe, warm place to sleep. Advocates say this allows people experiencing homelessness to stabilize, get treatment and connect to more permanent housing solutions.
Trash services, meals, showers, portable toilets and connection to health services are provided on-site. The villages are staffed 24 hours a day and have security.
The microshelter buildings are already funded. A community effort has raised more than $770,000 in donations — enough for at least 154 shelters. Despite having enough funds, the city has struggled to find land to host the villages.
After the city selected the Center Street site, Riches Property Management, Inc., the owner of the Forum Apartments at 350 13th St. NE, filed a petition with Marion County Circuit Court. The complex is less than 100 feet from the proposed microshelter village.
In the petition, the attorney for the property management company, which is owned by John Riches, said they objected to using the site as a microshelter location, citing concerns over criminal activity, foot traffic and public health risks.
More:Work begins on new Salem microshelter location despite ongoing legal challenge
The legal action stopped all preparation work on the site for more than a month.
On Wednesday, Hart remanded the issue back to the council and ordered them to make a decision after reviewing evidence on whether the site will present an "unreasonable risk to health and safety." The order specifically asks the council to consider:
How the site will impact foot traffic approaching the site and in the immediate surrounding areas.
How the site will impact vehicular traffic approaching the location.
How the village will interact with the police to ensure any additional foot and vehicular traffic to the site will not exacerbate criminal activity.
How any such exacerbation or impact will be mitigated by police or security response.
Whether and how the village will attract unmanaged encampments and how that can be stopped.
How management will maintain the sobriety and the mental health treatment compliance of its residents.
How management will address criminal activity engaged in by its residents.
In a report, city staff recommended re-affirming the decision to create a microshelter village on Center Street and said they provided substantial evidence that the village will not create an unreasonable risk to public health and safety.
Evidence includes reports that the site will not substantially increase foot traffic, will be a closed campus and will only provide services to residents. The city said it plans to address any unmanaged camping concerns if they do occur.
A memo from the city's Public Works Department said the village is not expected to have a significant impact on vehicular traffic.
A Salem police and city manager memorandum said there is not expected to be a significant increase in crime rates attributable to the village and increased patrols would be added to mitigate any increase in crime.
Church at the Park, a nonprofit that will manage the village, said residents will receive wrap-around services addressing mental health, addiction and recovery, and housing.
"Village residents will be required to comply with a code of conduct, addressing potential behavioral issues," city staff said. "Further, the Village prohibits possession of alcohol or drugs at the site. Village residents will be provided transportation options as appropriate for access to commercial, mental health and medical providers and other services that occur off-site."
More:$600K donated. Homeless now wait for city of Salem to find land for micro shelters
Other agenda items include:
A public hearing on Our Salem, the City’s proposed plan for addressing community growth and development.
Public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2023 budgets for the Salem Urban Renewal Agency and City of Salem.
Public Works Day and Juneteenth proclamations.
Proposed 2023 fee schedule.
Acquisition of property for Lancaster Drive NE/Watson Ave. NE pedestrian crossing.
Extending the emergency declaration related to unsheltered residents through Dec. 31, 2022.
Second reading of an amendment to Salem revised code allowing approved street paintings.
Information on the Salem Public Library's plan to go "fine free".
Explainer: What are the rules around public meetings and public comment in Oregon?
The meeting is at 6 p.m. It is virtual and can be watched at Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish.
Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or pre-register between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: On the agenda: Decision on microshelter site returns to Salem council
