A good start on a painful problem
After nearly five hours of presentations and discussion on homeless issues, some of which were quite complex, the Chico City Council took no vote on a solution.
But it actually made great progress that should be acknowledged. Likely the vote will come later.
The council literally heard hours of information Tuesday about everything and anything homeless, listening to nearly a dozen local professionals about activity and programs, occurring mostly under the public’s radar.
To hear all of that was impressive. There is a lot going on, which most of us never hear about. That’s why it made perfect sense for the City Council to ask for a dedicated meeting to get up to speed on what is out there.
But what was even better was that there are the trappings of a plan that sounds promising.
Certainly no issue as dynamic and sad as homelessness can be “solved,” but what was laid out offered hope for all sides of the equation.
In its core, the plan has several arms, but not in any order
he city would help the
BMX folks finish its new airport course so that the cityowned property by the Silver Dollar Fair could be vacated. There are some issues with the current BMX site, but not unsolvable. That would cost about $600,000, plus about $100,000 to deal with issues on the emptied property. There was a suggestion that it could be used as a sanctioned campground for the tents that have popped up in our parks and public areas.
Chico would help the Torres Shelter expand, which would include beds and a navigation center to help route people on the streets into shelter, care and services. That price tag is $658,000.
Lastly — and most controversial is $1 million to be handed to City Manager Mark Orme to implement the plan and overcome issues.
A mountain of work at a painful price is howmany could see it, which is true.
But it’s progress.
The council agreed unanimously for the city staff to examine it and bring back more details, like how would that $1 million be spent.
It’s not that they don’t trust the city manager, but there is concern over what lies ahead for Chico financially, considering the Camp Fire and coronavirus. Orme has said there is money available in the budget for these steps, including onetime money collected because of the fire and coronavirus.
At no time did the council approve of spending those dollars. In part, there was resistance for some of the expenditures.
There will be a two-week comment period for the public to weigh-in .
Yes, it’s a lot of money to be spent to make a dent on homelessness, but look at it this way. Howmuch does Chico already spend dealing with issues of park clean up, salaries of police officers, space in the Butte County Jail, other crimes and public health matters.
Those costs could be a lot more.
Even more expensive in an indirect way is taxpayers’ inability to use public lands.
While not all the councilors liked all the provisions, there was consensus to take a closer look. Some of that look will occur during the Oct. 6 council meeting.
For us and for many in Chico, the take-away is that nothing is perfect, but this has promise. Let’s move forward.
There is a lot goingonwith homelessness, whichmost of us never hear about. That’swhy itmade perfect sense for theCityCouncil to ask for a dedicated meeting to get up to speed on what is out there.