Springfield City Council Highlights

Citizens show outrage over a proposed ordinance on homeless camping. 32mins

Homeless Services Housing Policy Public Engagement Public Safety & Police
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Original Meeting

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Springfield City Council on YouTube
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024
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In This Video
  • Clerk Lesko calls the roll, confirming the presence of various council members and the mayor. 
  • Discussion about the motion to hold the item. Alderman Gregory and other council members express concerns about the use of Community Development Block Grant funds for the project. 
  • Director Hazel speaks about the funding process and the concerns regarding the use of TIF and CDBG funds. 
  • Alderman Gregory expresses frustration about the lack of communication regarding the CDBG project and emphasizes the need for infrastructure improvements in his ward. 
  • A representative from the Hoagland Center explains the issues with their elevators and the need for ADA compliance, highlighting the center's community contributions. 
  • The council votes to hold the motion and send it back to committee. 
  • Alderman Hanauer echoes concerns about the high cost of the rehabilitation project and suggests looking for more cost-effective solutions. 
  • Alderwoman Notreano speaks, emphasizing the importance of the housing project for the community and its proximity to historic sites. 
  • Voting on the motion takes place, with the motion passing with six votes in favor, four against, and one present. 
  • Introduction of the next agenda item, an ordinance authorizing a sub-recipient agreement for the construction of a learning technology and resource center for veterans. 
  • Alderwoman Purchase speaks about her support for the project and the challenges of gaining community approval. She shares her experience with a similar project in her neighborhood. 
  • A motion to hold the project is made and seconded. Clerk Lesko conducts a roll call vote, and the motion to hold passes with 10 ayes and no nays. 
  • Introduction of item 2024-376, an ordinance regulating public camping. Motion to take off emergency passage and assign to committee. Discussion on the reasons for the ordinance and its implications. Participants: Unknown Speaker, Clerk Lesko. 
  • Alderman Hanauer asks for clarification on the reading of the ordinance. Corporation Counsel Murdoch explains the legal basis and provisions of the ordinance. Participants: Alderman Hanauer, Corporation Counsel Murdoch. 
  • Chief Scarlett explains the funding and partnerships involved in the Homeless Outreach Team program. Participants: Chief Scarlett. 
  • Chief Scarlett describes the no camping ordinance and its intended purpose, referencing the Wichita model. Participants: Chief Scarlett. 
  • Chief Scarlett highlights the success of the Wichita program and its impact on the homeless community. Participants: Chief Scarlett. 
  • Chris Jones shares his experiences and the compassionate approach of the Homeless Outreach Team. Participants: Chris Jones. 
  • Alderwoman Purchase and other council members express their views on the ordinance and the need for community feedback. Participants: Alderwoman Purchase, Unknown Speaker. 
  • Alderwoman No Triano expresses her inability to support the current version of the ordinance and discusses the city's recent efforts to address homelessness, including funding initiatives and the challenges faced. 
  • Alderwoman Conley echoes the need for a non-emergency passage of the ordinance and stresses the importance of involving frontline service providers and people with lived experience in crafting the language of the ordinance. 
  • Alderwoman Conley continues, emphasizing the need for legal enforceability and addressing the challenges of getting people resistant to shelters into available supports. 
  • Alderwoman Conley requests that the ordinance be reviewed with partners in the continuum of care and frontline service providers to make a more informed ordinance. 
  • Alderman Williams addresses the police chief, discussing the frustrations of the police department and the perceived failures of the continuum of care in addressing street homelessness. 
  • Clerk Lesko talks about the challenges faced by Ward 3 due to the presence of a shelter and the impact on local businesses. 
  • A speaker shares their experience with homelessness and argues against the ordinance, stating that it criminalizes homelessness and harms the homeless community. 
  • Grigg, another speaker, criticizes the ordinance and defends the homeless community, emphasizing the need for compassion and proper support rather than criminalization. 
  • Unknown Speaker criticizes the ordinance, describing it as inhumane and ineffective. They reference Community Solutions and Heartland House, questioning the logic behind criminalizing homelessness and the lack of inclusion of Heartland in discussions. 
  • Brianna Roberts shares a personal story about finding a homeless person's journal and reads a passage from it. She emphasizes the struggles of homeless individuals and criticizes the ordinance for criminalizing them. 
  • Christina Barbie continues, criticizing the ordinance for lacking data-driven analysis and transparency. She questions the effectiveness and financial viability of the ordinance. 
  • Don Hanrahan speaks against criminalizing homelessness, arguing that it is inhumane and ineffective. He highlights the disproportionate impact on people of color and those with disabilities. 
  • Zakari Moore continues, criticizing the allocation of funds and the lack of support for the homeless. He calls out Alderwoman Purchase for her inaction and silence on critical issues. 
  • Clerk Lesko shares personal experiences and frustrations with the local government and law enforcement, emphasizing the need for better treatment and protection of homeless individuals. 
  • Zach Long encourages community members to continue speaking out against the ordinance and criticizes the local government for their lack of transparency and action. 
  • A concerned citizen from Ward 2 and business owner from Ward 4 addresses the City Council about the criminalization of homelessness. They describe their non-profit's services and criticize Ordinance 2024-376 for being inhumane and ineffective. They also discuss the negative impact of local policing on the homeless community. 
  • McCain argues against the proposed ordinance, emphasizing the need for less punitive and more supportive community solutions. 
  • Aaron Kirkpatrick argues against the ordinance, emphasizing the importance of the freedom to sleep in one's own vehicle and sharing a personal story about his mother. 
  • Anne Logue speaks, emphasizing the high cost of rent and the need for better engagement with the community. Logue suggests a town hall meeting and criticizes the penalties in the proposed ordinance. 
  • Salem Addison King speaks about the severe consequences of criminalizing homelessness, including violence and financial costs. They question the logic and morality behind the ordinance and emphasize the need for compassionate action. 
  • Sean Lumsden continues, questioning the council's research on the impact of incarceration on the homeless and criticizing the ordinance for creating tense interactions with the police. 
  • Mirabel Cruz Hein speaks, expressing anger at the ordinance and sharing personal experiences of homelessness, emphasizing the need for better solutions and support for local organizations. 
  • Alice Ramey and Kelly Hamlin are called to speak, but Robert Frazier provides an update on the Clean Slate Advocates (CSA) program, highlighting its achievements in providing laundry services to the community over the past 12 months. 
  • Clerk Lesko concludes with a call for a different approach to addressing community needs, including mental health support. 
  • The citizen continues to share her story, emphasizing her mental stability and qualifications, and the mistreatment she has faced. 
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