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03/25/24 09 AM: American Legion Shelter Closure: Homeless Response Options Debated

American Legion Shelter Closure: Homeless Response Options Debated

Workshop addressed American Legion emergency shelter closure, encampment sanitation grants, supported camping options, coalition for continuation, consent agenda approvals, Hoh Tribe support letter, public comments on policing and shellfish permits. No formal votes on shelter; next steps for coalitions and funding.

Emergency Shelter Closure and Response Options (American Legion Facility)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:03:35–01:12:50 (PART 1)
  • Categories: services, planning, budgeting, operations

Summary

The workshop focused on the impending closure of the American Legion emergency shelter operated by OlyCAP, with its contract ending April 30, 2024, and no renewal beyond June, creating a gap until a new permanent facility at Caswell Brown Phase 1 (optimistically one year away). Staff from harm reduction and public health presented on-ground conditions at encampments like behind DSHS (private property), lack of sanitation services leading to health risks, and available grants for waste removal/porta-potties. Options discussed included supported encampments via emergency ordinance or faith-based sponsorship, a new coalition to operate the existing shelter, and public health funding for short-term sanitation support, with emphasis on legal limits on sweeps without alternatives and needs of mobility-challenged residents.

Key Discussion Points

  • American Legion shelter serves as lowest-barrier congregate option but faces closure; residents include elderly/mobility-impaired unable to camp safely (Anya/Amelia, harm reduction staff).
  • Largest visible encampment behind DSHS on private land lacks dumpsters, porta-potties, showers; landowner provides trash cans but needs government support (Anya).
  • Public health has CCLP grant ($36,000 left, usable to June 2025 for public land waste/septage) and FPHS funds ($6,000 left now, $55,000/year ongoing for homelessness sanitation) (Apple/Elise, public health).
  • Supported encampments viable via county emergency ordinance (conditional use permit) or faster faith-based RCW protection; examples from fairgrounds (2014), case studies available (Commissioner Brotherton, Anya).
  • PDNW double-wide at Caswell Brown impractical due to ordinance limits (at 50 units), sprinkler/septic costs; better as kitchen/gathering space (Commissioner Brotherton).
  • City public hearing April 1 on emergency site codes; motivated due to public land impacts (city rep).

Public Comments

  • Julia (Heidi's District resident/Welcoming Center): Proposed "camp host" for self-governance/safety net; shelter not truly low-barrier (ID requirements, trespasses); Welcoming Center open year-round needs space (KPTZ trailer?); willing to manage shelter with board growth.
  • Maggie: Environmental health issues at shelter unresolved; Caswell Brown showers/kitchen poor; Bayside units inaccessible online for disabled/unhoused.
  • Benjamin Castro (Welcoming Center manager): Complaints on OlyCAP management (ID barriers even for food stamps/temp docs, medical/mental health trespasses); Legion commander opposes continuation without new coalition.
  • Barbara (Lori?): Emphasized resident voice/rights (trespass hearings), self-elected reps, whole-community involvement (Rotary, volunteers disrupted by COVID).
  • Unnamed: Appreciated speakers; prioritize cooling centers for summer heat alongside winter warming.
  • Unnamed: Porta-potties for events, not encampments; use public facilities like baseball fields.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No packet documents directly referenced in discussion; prior meetings (last Wednesday) noted with city/social agencies. Public health grants (CCLP, FPHS) detailed verbally, matching packet's foundational public health services.

Financials

  • Public health CCLP (ecology): $36,000 left (public land waste/septage, to June 2025).
  • FPHS (state DOH): $6,000 left ($55,000/year, rolls over; prior use on Evans Vista cleanup, core groups).
  • Housing fund: Potential explicit budgeting/recording fees backfill ($27,000); legislature $25M competitive for low-income housing/recording fees.
  • New shelter at Caswell Brown Phase 1: Gap funding sought (1-year rosy outlook); congressional directed spending pursued.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Duplicate Caswell Brown via new CUP: Fraught/expensive (prior purchase costly).
  • Mobile (PDNW double-wide): Impractical (ordinance, sprinklers/septic).
  • No alternatives rejected explicitly; coalition/faith group for existing shelter preferred short-term.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: No formal action; workshop informational.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps:
  • Reach out to American Legion commander for new operator potential.
  • Housing Fund Board meeting to discuss ordinance/funding (sales tax, $27k recording fees).
  • Mid-April meeting (GT Gaslin/Tatro convening, same group as last Wednesday) for coalition-building.
  • Public health interlocal with city for waste/porta-potties.
  • Policy council for housing (include resident voice).

Consent Agenda Approval

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:23–00:23:53 (PART 1)
  • Categories: contracts, budgeting, personnel

Summary

The Board approved the consent agenda without items pulled for discussion, encompassing multiple professional services agreements, amendments, reappointments, a resignation, payroll warrants, and a public hearing notice. Major items included contracts for climate facilitation ($9,993), Port Hadlock sewer surveying ($49,870), Dungeness crab monitoring ($23,156), ROV competitions ($20,347), and harm reduction videos (amendment extending term, no new funds). Routine procedural approval with no debate.

Key Discussion Points

  • Limited discussion; commended Leader as official newspaper despite challenges (Commissioner Brotherton).
  • Noted Karl Hanson's resignation from I/DDAB (unattributed).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Packet detailed all items: Whaleheart amendment (harm reduction videos, $11,865 total), Cascadia climate facilitation ($9,993), Van Aller surveying ($49,870 Commerce funds), PSRF crab monitoring ($23,156 WDFW), NMSF ROV ($20,347 WDFW), hearing notice for ordinance rules, Leader newspaper ($10/col inch), payrolls ($821k+).

Financials

  • Total new contracts/amendments: ~$103k (sewer $49k, crab $23k, ROV $20k, climate $10k, videos $0 new).
  • Payroll: $821,692.71 + $4,898.08 jury.
  • Funding: Grants (Commerce, WDFW, DOH), no general fund impact.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve and adopt the consent agenda as presented."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Items executed; hearing notice published March 27/April 3 for April 8 ordinance hearing.

Letter of Support: Hoh Tribe Highway 101 Intersection Safety/Fire Services

Metadata

  • Time Range: 01:13:55–01:15:43 (PART 1)
  • Categories: infrastructure, public safety

Summary

Board approved a revised letter supporting Hoh Tribe's request for congressionally directed spending for Highway 101 intersection safety improvements and fire services (5x7 shelters on property). Minor edits added (e.g., context on West End response gaps/long waits/non-district residents). Unanimous vote after public comment call.

Key Discussion Points

  • Letter from facilities/chair's office; fire marshal to send similar (Commissioner Brotherton).
  • West End fire response delays critical; many outside districts (unattributed).

Public Comments

No public comment.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Letter shown on screen; referenced prior Hoh support letter.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

Edits: Add second paragraph, context; confirm directed spending.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: "Approve signing and sending this letter in support."
  • Vote: Unanimous (Ayes).
  • Next Steps: Send post-meeting; fire marshal to send version.

Morning Public Comments (Non-Agenda Items)

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:01:39–00:09:25 (PART 1/2)
  • Categories: public safety, planning, services

Summary

Public comments addressed law enforcement duty to render aid (RCW 70.54.050, infected wounds), transparency/failures in homelessness response (tiny homes examples), and shellfish farming CUP hearings burdening small operators. Commissioners acknowledged without action.

Key Discussion Points

  • Commissioners responded neutrally, noting costs to small businesses, prior ag labor experience (Commissioners Brotherton/Deane).

Public Comments

  • Maggie: Police failed to aid man with severe leg wounds; cite transparency/tiny homes successes.
  • Gordon King: Oppose public hearings for geoduck aquaculture CUPs (harms small farmers).
  • Lisa Carlton Long: Support shellfish growers (jobs, cleanups, COVID efforts).

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

No financial information discussed.

Alternatives & Amendments

No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Informational.
  • Vote: N/A.
  • Next Steps: None specified; shellfish hearings pending.

Background Materials

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