Public urges city to secure warming shelter and consider decriminalization amendments for unhoused residents

Public commenters and council members raised homelessness and warming-shelter needs at the Sept. 16 City Council meeting, urging policy changes and greater cooperation with the county. One public commenter said, "I am ... advocating for amendments to decriminalization," and asked the council to consider the dignity and integrity of unhoused neighbors. Speakers said the community lacks a near-term warming-shelter solution and described volunteer efforts that led some people to find shelter, treatment or jobs. "I saw people that heard stories of folks in the homeless community that ended up finding shelter because of actions of volunteers," a volunteer said, describing last year's work at a shelter. Multiple commenters and at least one council member said funding and policy must be shared across jurisdictions. "I appreciate the county's putting money into this; it's a societal problem ... that we need to tackle together," a council member said. The transcript records expressions of urgency and concern but no ordinance, motion, or recorded vote to change decriminalization policy or to commit city funding for a warming shelter. City staff and council members mentioned a work session scheduled for the 30th to continue discussion; speakers urged clearer plans and partnerships with the county. Discussion-only items included community expectations that neighboring jurisdictions with smaller budgets cannot bear the full service burden and repeated calls for coordinated policy and funding. No formal direction to staff or binding decision on decriminalization or a warming-shelter site was recorded in the transcript.