DOWNTOWN LOITERING
Advocates say it unfairly takes aim at the unhoused
A proposed ordinance promising more consequences for loitering downtown is meeting resistance from advocates who say it unfairly targets the homeless.
Proponents argue that the ordinance, if enacted, increases safety and promotes a welcoming environment for downtown businesses and visitors by tackling loitering and panhandling.
Others told the City Council during the Thursday meeting the proposal criminalizes those experiencing homelessness instead of helping them.
In other business, the council addressed higher city fees and supported the Fire Department’s efforts to increase awareness about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.
Meanwhile, not everyone supports the proposed ordinance, which Interim Police Chief Joseph Branson said would give officers more legal standing to issue citations or even make arrests.
“Most of the unhoused people that live in this town have lived here their whole lives. They are not going to go anywhere,” said Lisa Drummond, who volunteers with the Taylor Center for Assistance and Navigation. “The reason for that is they’re from here. They are family members. They are classmates. They are former coworkers.”
Drummond said the center during the cold month of February, for example, sheltered 50 to 100 unhoused individuals.
She added, “Just keep it in mind, these are our people.”
The agenda item for the council said the ordinance would “establish regulations related to sitting, lying down or sleeping in public, aggressive panhandling or soliciting, and obstruction of sidewalks and pedestrian rights-ofway within the Downtown Overlay District.”
Drummond said adding fines and citations to the worries of the homeless would be another burden on an already at-risk population.
The proposed law would also prohibit sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk, street, alleyway or public property.
Supporters said the law, if passed, would help the city comply with the federal Americans with Disability Act by keeping pathways open for those with mobility issues.
The ordinance would prevent sleeping outside downtown at night unless it’s part of a special event. It also defines what is considered unlawful and aggressive panhandling.
Those it would not impact include people sitting on benches along Main Street, eating at the tables outside a restaurant, waiting in line for an event or lining the sidewalks to watch a parade.
Also, soliciting by groups such as organizations that sell popcorn or cookies would not — in general — be in violation.
Branson told the council enforcement would mainly be complaint- driven.
After receiving a complaint, officers would approach a person loitering or panhandling, inform him or her about the ordinance and ask the individual to comply.
Noncompliance could lead to a citation or even arrest if the person becomes aggressive, Branson said.
Alyse Mervosh, the coowner of a downtown bookstore, doubted whether the proposal will make downtown safer.
“It looks like it was written to placate those who have brought complaints and does not offer any real solutions,” she said.
Mervosh said aggressive drivers, vacant buildings and vandalism are a greater problem.
“What this ordinance will do is target people who are already suffering. They cannot pay fines and jail time can make their situation worse,” Mervosh said.
Some city fees to increase
Partying in the park may be a bit more pricey if the council passes a new fee schedule presented by Chief Financial Officer Robert Powers.
Increases went up for burial services and for services at the Taylor Municipal Airport.
Development services fees also increased.
Powers said the hike is needed to fully recover the cost of services and to pass through any third-party professional fees.
New line items in the park fees include renting the minigolf picnic area for $35 per day and renting the Heritage Square playground area for four hours for $35.
Those renting a pavilion will be able to bring inflatables for a charge of $25.
Many city departments did not see fee increases this year.
Fire Department targets lithium-ion batteries
Fire Chief Daniel Baum accepted a proclamation from the council naming Oct. 5-11 as Fire Prevention Week and cautioned the community about the dangers of lithiumion batteries.
When damaged or improperly charged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, start fires or explode.
The batteries are used in phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, vacuum cleaners, mobility scooters and many more items in homes, cars and offices. They cannot be disposed of in regular trash collection.
The power sources can be taken to household hazardous waste collection points or to the Fire Department for disposal. Some businesses such as electronics stores and Home Depot locations have receptacles for recycling batteries.
