Disparate opinions on homelessness were at the forefront of the Missoula City Council meeting held on Monday night. The public comments ranged from suggestions of relocating homeless individuals to pleas for a moratorium on law enforcement actions against the unhoused population in the city.
The council took action on two measures related to homelessness. One measure involved the reopening of the Johnson Street Community Center, while the other entailed postponing a vote on a permanent urban camping ordinance.
By a vote of 7-2, the council decided to delay the decision on the urban camping ordinance, which would establish permanent rules for camping in Missoula. The final consideration of the ordinance has been rescheduled for November 13 to allow the city to provide better guidance for both the unhoused individuals and law enforcement. The current rules, implemented following an emergency declaration earlier this summer, are set to expire in early September.
Once the current rules expire, the city will revert to the existing regulations, which criminalize sleeping in all city-owned public spaces. However, City Attorney Ryan Sudbury has stated that the city can instruct law enforcement not to cite individuals for violating these rules in the meantime.
The mayor, Jordan Hess, explained that the decision to postpone the vote was made in response to criticism that the proposed rules were too broad and lacked nuance.
While the majority of council members supported the delay of the urban camping ordinance vote, two councilors, Heidi West and Sandra Vasecka, dissented. West expressed her reservations about the delay, but acknowledged the hope that it would result in a more comprehensive approach.
During the public comments section, many individuals urged a more lenient approach to urban camping. Several commenters requested a moratorium on police sweeps until the November 13 decision. One commenter, Heather Reel, who has experienced homelessness in the past, shared her fear of law enforcement interactions while living on the streets.
In an effort to provide a safe space for homeless individuals, the council voted 6-2 with one abstention to reopen the Johnson Street shelter located in Ward 6. The Poverello Center, responsible for operating the shelter, anticipates its reopening in mid-September.
While the decision to reopen the shelter was generally supported by council members, Councilor Kristen Jordan abstained from voting due to concerns about a lack of outreach to the neighborhood where the facility is situated. Mary Medley, a resident near the shelter, echoed Jordan’s concerns, emphasizing the need for equal distribution in addressing homelessness.
In summary, the Missoula City Council meeting highlighted the divergent opinions on tackling homelessness in the city. The council decided to postpone voting on a permanent urban camping ordinance to provide clearer guidance, while also choosing to reopen the Johnson Street shelter. These measures aim to address the houseless population in Missoula with a more informed and compassionate approach.
