Council asked to play active role to solve chronic homelessness
The Nome Common Council heard in several iterations the need to deal with homelessness, alcoholism and rowdy behavior on Front Street, during last Monday’s regular council meeting which was preceded by a work session. Nome Community Center Executive Director Rhonda Schneider held a presentation on NCC’s proposed Housing First approach to remedy the situation of 23 chronic homeless people in Nome and thus alleviating the “Front Street problem” of homelessness and alcoholism. Schneider presented facts and data collected over the years that NCC has been running the seasonal NEST shelter program and came armed with a funder portfolio, a 15unit housing proposal and a specific ask of the City to chip in $200,000 for the project. The cost of building the unit – where is yet to be revealed – is pegged at $10 million with an annual operation cost of $300,000.
The topic of alcohol came up again when the ABC board informed the Council of several liquor license renewal requests. Asked if the bars are a problem, Nome Police Chief Mike Heinzelman said, no, not the bars as much as the package stores. AC’s Quickstop has enacted a one bottle per day policy, but since the opening of a liquor store at Hanson’s, the problem has just moved up the street, said City Manager Glenn Steckman. During Citizens Comments, Tom Vaden, property manager at Front Properties, which owns the building housing the post office and other federal offices, asked the Council to do something. “The City of Nome is failing to protect its citizens,” he said. “The problem is there are safety concerns both from the sanitation aspect where they urinate, defecate, vomit and fornicate inside and outside our building and from the threat of violence where intoxicated individuals…are accosting our patrons for money in loud demanding voices,” he said.
Councilman Scot Henderson said this conversation dominates so many areas and suggested a work session, inviting owners of liquor stores to come for a discussion.
In other business, the Council postponed a vote to approve the Historic Preservation Plan for the second time, sending it back to the planning panel and historic preservation commission. The Council wanted to see issues addressed that relate to the Indigenous people’s history of Nome, which was inadequately reflected in the plan as written. (See story on page 6).
Under new business, the panel passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of software to streamline and better administrate permitting processes and code enforcements.
Glenn Steckman, the city manager, reported that city planner Eileen Bechtol submitted her resignation as a part time city planner. Steckman suggested that the city draw up a job description that includes city planner duties as well as duties related to an economic development advisor. He reported that a new boiler was installed at the Rec Center, which will be fired up on December 27.
On Monday he said he met with Iditarod staff and that the sled dog race organizers as well as the city is hoping for a big celebration of the 50th running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race, in March.
He also reminded people to please not push snow onto city roads for safety reasons.
Mayor John Handeland made a few appointments to open commission and board seats, which were all approved by the Council. He appointed Drew McCann to the Port Commission seat left vacant when Scot Henderson was elected to the Nome Common Council. Handeland reappointed Shane Smithhisler to the port commission and appointed Jennifer Dean Johnson to seat F at the Public Safety Advisory Commission. Handeland announced in lieu of the Christmas Extravaganza a caroling event at Old St. Joe’s on Dec. 21 and weather permitting New Year’s Eve fireworks are planned for Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.