Title
Agenda Item:
Ordinance to Prohibit Camping on the Public Areas Surrounding Olympia City Hall
Body
Issue:
For several weeks, overnight camping in front of and near City Hall has increased, along with health and safety concerns.
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager’s Recommendation:
Move to pass the ordinance on first and final reading prohibiting sleeping and camping on the property surrounding City Hall.
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, 360.753.8370
Tom Morrill, City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall, City Manager
Background and Analysis:
Camping on the steps and landing of Olympia City Hall is creating an immediate and urgent threat to public safety and public health. In particular, the behaviors, activities, and results of camping pose an immediate threat to members of the public and public employees who use or attempt to use the City Hall building.
In recent months, increasing numbers of individuals have begun camping on the plaza and surrounding areas of the City Hall building at 600 4th Avenue East in downtown Olympia. Individuals have been observed camping in front of City Hall overnight and on weekends, making this space and access to the City Hall payment drop box and front doors unavailable to others.
Last Monday, 17 individuals were sleeping or lying in front of the City Hall front doors at 7:00 a.m. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, about 30 individuals were observed camping in front of City Hall at various times. As of last week, individuals are starting to set up their camping spaces in front of the main doors as early as 5:15 p.m., even though City Hall is open for evening meeetings.
As the number of campers has grown, so have concerns and complaints of hazardous and unsafe conditions as a result of the camping. City maintenance, police and customer service staff report having picked up syringes, condoms, cigarette butts, and increasing amounts of garbage - including cooking resid...
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