TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Gretchen Bennett, Homelessness Liaison
SUBJECT:
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Managed Temporary Camping.
Ward(s): 8
Councilor(s): Lewis
Neighborhood(s): West Salem
Result Area(s): Safe Community; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
Managed temporary camping options are available to increase services to the unhoused. One is identified within city property inventory at 2700 Wallace Road NW. Council direction on location selection is requested.
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council authorize the City Manager to site temporary managed camping at the 2700 Wallace Road NW parcel, within the city-owned Commercial Retail zoned portion?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to establish a managed temporary camp at the 2700 Wallace Road NW parcel, within the city-owned commercial retail zoned portion.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Without new capital expenditure of budget authority, this is the only parcel feasible for managed temporary camping that is not currently utilized for another purpose known to staff. While this site serves the desired purpose, upon Council approval staff will work through several issues that will need to be addressed prior to opening the site.
The property is currently vacant and is adjacent to Oregon Department of Transportation-owned land (the Wallace Road Park and Ride lot). Access to the site is not currently identified and the State of Oregon has not yet identified a method to permit temporary city access for this purpose.
Project costs are estimated at $87,000 for site preparations, $150,000 for microshelter acquisition, and $96,000 per month for operations. The current funding source for this project is American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that are being reallocated from other sheltering activities that did not move forward.
Staff anticipates that additional funding will be needed for the microshelter acquisition. Current private support to “Adopt a Shelter” led by community member Hazel Patton is underway which may reduce costs for shelter acquisition.
Services would be placed in the westernmost side, the furthest away from Wallace Road. Fencing would obscure the project and direct pedestrian traffic. A fifteen-foot setback around the perimeter of the property is also planned.
This location will serve approximately 60 campers, with persons aged 55+ receiving sheltering preference at the site.
BACKGROUND:
City Council directed staff to expand alternative options for those experiencing houselessness.
There is not currently another managed temporary camping site in west Salem.
Gretchen Bennett
Homelessness Liaison
Attachments:
Location Map, 2700 Wallace Road NW