Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with Thurston County Addressing Impacts of Unsheltered/Homeless Individuals Living in Vehicles along Ensign Road and Public Streets
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Olympia and Thurston County addressing impacts of unsheltered/homeless individuals living in vehicles along Ensign Road and Public Streets throughout the community.
Report
Issue:
Whether to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Thurston County to address and mitigate the impacts of unsheltered/homeless individuals living in vehicles on public streets throughout the community.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Assistant City Manager, Office of Community Vitality, 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
There is currently no shelter or sanctioned safe parking area to address the needs and impacts of individuals living in vehicles on public streets. Camping along Ensign Road in particular is detrimental to the health and safety of the individuals living there and surrounding businesses, property owners, and visitors. Ensign Road camping is having unacceptable, negative impacts on operations at Providence St. Peter Hospital, emergency medical first responders accessing the hospital, the safe navigation of public transit vehicles, the ability of the public to use the bike lanes and sidewalks in that roadway, and surrounding wetlands and streams.
The City of Olympia (City) and Thurston County (County) wish to create a clear understanding of their working relationship related to ongoing efforts to address the impacts of unsheltered/homeless individuals living along Ensign Road and other public streets and encampments located throughout the community.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets out an agreemen...
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