Wednesday March 3rd 6:00pm – 7:00pm Zoom Meeting with Deputy Mayor about Miller Encampment: organized by St. Joe's.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88955025883?pwd=TFdYcm50M3ZLSGs0UFJUWjJOak9Ldz09
Meeting ID: 889 5502 5883
Passcode: 828117
We invite you to join us, but want to make clear this will not be an open forum where anyone can speak. We want to be very focused on getting concrete responses from the Deputy Mayor.
If you plan to attend, please let Steve know.
Steve Wodzanowski <SteveW@stjosephparish.org>
From: Steve Wodzanowski <SteveW@stjosephparish.org>
Date: March 1, 2021 at 8:06:53 AM PST
Subject: Meeting with Deputy Mayor this Wednesday March 3rd 6:00pm -7:00pm on Zoom
Hi Vince
As chair of the Pastoral Council. I wanted to make sure you are aware of this. Leo Lyons is part of the planning committee.
Blessings
Steve
From: Steve Wodzanowski
Sent: Monday, March 1, 2021 8:03 AM
To: Stephen Wodzanowski <stevew@stjosephparish.org>
Subject: Meeting with Deputy Mayor this Wednesday March 3rd 6:00pm -7:00pm on Zoom
Lenten Greetings Everyone
As a follow-up to the conversation with State Rep. Nicole Macri back in December in which you expressed interest or attended, a committee of the St. Joseph’s Faith Justice Commission has been meeting to strategize about next steps.
We have scheduled a meeting on Zoom with the Deputy Mayor who is in charge of the city’s response/policies on Homelessness .. Casey Sixkiller for this Wednesday March 3rd 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Scroll down for the Zoom link.
Our committee has come up with a list of questions and specific asks. We invite you to join us, but want to make clear this will not be an open forum where anyone can speak. We want to be very focused on getting concrete responses from the Deputy Mayor.
In case you’re interested.. Here’s a list of who has been involved in the planning. Sean Brennan, Emily Bassett, Leo Lyons, Taffy McCormick, Patrick Gemma, Bob Baur, Ana Brown, Zach Carstensen and myself. Bob and Zach who both serve on the Faith Justice Commission are chairing the committee. We have also tapped into the expertise and wisdom of Chloe Gale from REACH, Jennifer Newman from St. Martin de Porres and Kari Whitacre from Jubilee.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88955025883?pwd=TFdYcm50M3ZLSGs0UFJUWjJOak9Ldz09
Meeting ID: 889 5502 5883
Passcode: 828117
Some possible asks:
1) We would like to see the Miller encampment residents prioritized for JustCARE services
2) no sweep unless a humane alternative - like JustCARE - is identified
3) increased sanitation on site and in the neighborhood
4) increased police presence in the neighborhood
5) Parish is willing to partner with service providers, city, and others in the neighborhood to make sure the basic needs of the residents are met.
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St Joseph Homelessness Task Force
Draft Agenda for Meeting with Deputy Mayor Sixkiller
Meeting Date March 3, 2021, 6:00 pm
The growth of unauthorized encampments, including the encampment at Miller Playfield, are not serving the needs of the homeless and are causing safety, health, and access issues for neighbors, parks, playfields, and schools. We have come together as a group of concerned citizens that includes representatives connected to Miller Playfield as members of St Joseph Parish, neighbors, parents, and service providers. While our concerns about the current condition and use of the playfield vary, we believe that the City of Seattle must take immediate action to address these conditions at Miller Playfield and unauthorized encampments throughout the city.
Questions:
- The City’s policy on unauthorized encampments is based on CDC guidelines (not disturbing these encampments due to the pandemic). This is not a solution in many cases (including Miller Playfield) and has been acknowledged by the mayor. What is the City’s current thinking on addressing this issue?
- The City’s administration and council are committed to caring for individuals occupying unauthorized encampments and not simply “sweeping” them out of these areas. However, given the lack of permanent housing what are the interim options being considered to address the needs of the homeless with shelter, food, services, and safety?
- How can the public (such as our task force) work with the city to create a solution that is cost effective and addresses the needs of all stakeholders?
- A recent meeting between the City’s administration and council identified the development of a program for addressing unauthorized encampments. What is that program and criteria?
- How are the cities current resources being used and priorities on spending set to meet the needs created by unauthorized encampments?
- Are there, or is there consideration of, pilot programs to deal with the range of issues created by unauthorized encampments. For example, the Miller Playfield encampment is negatively impacting the safety and health of the homeless, neighbors, adjacent school, and users of the field. Is it possible to create and test a program that would allow for a respectful transition of the camp to an authorized location and allow for the use of the playfield for students and users?
- What is baring the City of Seattle from taking more comprehensive and humane action on unauthorized encampments?
