HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2017-055WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2017 - 300
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Orikinator
Council
10/9/2017
10/10/2017
COTW
10/24/2017
COTW /Council
Division Head:
De t. Head.
O
Prosecutor:
PurchasinglBudget:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Resolution establishing a Homeless Stratagies Workgroup
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
COMMITTEE ACTION.•
COUNCIL ACTION.
10/10/2017: Discussed. Councilmembers to submit feedback to Clerk
10/10/2017: Discussed. Councilmembers to submit
of the Council
feedback to Clerk of the Council.
10/24/2017: Substitute approved 7 -0, Res. 2017 -055
10/24/2017: Amended and forwarded to Council for
Councilmembers Browne and Buchanan appointed to
approval
the workgroup
I
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number:,
Res. 2017 -055
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
PROPOSED BY: BUCHANAN, DONOVAN,
AND BROWNE
INTRODUCTION DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2017
RESOLUTION NO. 2017 -055
ESTABLISHING A HOMELESS STRATEGIES WORKGROUP
WHEREAS, like many counties throughout the Pacific Northwest, Whatcom County
has seen a significant increase in homeless and unsheltered individuals; and
WHEREAS, despite current efforts to reduce homelessness, the 2017 Whatcom
County Point in Time Count identifies that 742 individuals are homeless, up from 719 in
2016 and 651 in 2015; and
WHEREAS, addressing homelessness is a complex issue requiring many partners
and a variety of solutions; and
WHEREAS, large numbers of people without homes or secure access to housing
endangers the health, safety, and welfare of the people, individuals, families, and children,
and poses a threat to the environment and economic health of the community, and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County, through its Health Department, facilitates community
wide planning, updates and oversees implementation of the Plan to End Homelessness,
conducts the Point in Time Count, and provides housing and service related advocacy on
behalf of people experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County partners with a number of agencies to provide access
to safe and secure housing and shelter facilities including, but not limited to, its recent
partnership with the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services to assist in
operating 22 North, a 40 -unit apartment complex for homeless veterans, youth, and other
homeless individuals; and
WHEREAS, in October 2016, Lighthouse Mission Ministries (LMM) volunteered to
help address the growing crisis by opening a day center and night shelter serving 130
people per night on one of LMM's properties in Old Town; and
WHEREAS, site and facility in Old Town was not designed for this use and is not
suitable for the long -term use as a night shelter; and
WHEREAS, impacts to the surrounding neighborhood associated with the interim
location are increasing and the need to identify a permanent location is essential; and
WHEREAS, while Whatcom County remains committed to long -term and
preventative solutions, the community needs decisive action to prevent further suffering
and requires collaborative solutions to address this acute crisis; and
WHEREAS, solutions require participation from all local governments and many
agencies in order to alleviate this acute crisis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council
establishes an ad hoc Homeless Strategies Workgroup ( "workgroup ").
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the workgroup's purpose is to identify
approximately two to three alternative solutions to living unsheltered in Whatcom County,
with priority given to solutions that can be initiated to prevent people from having no other
option than to sleep outside as the weather gets cold.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the workgroup shall be made up of:
• Whatcom County Executive or Designee
• City of Bellingham Mayor or Designee
• Two Whatcom County Council Members
• Two Bellingham City Council Members
• Representative from the Downtown Bellingham Partnership
• Representative from the Opportunity Council
• Representative from Northwest Youth Services
• Representative from Lighthouse Mission Ministries
• Representative from the Bellingham /Whatcom Chamber of
Commerce
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that:
• Meetings of the workgroup shall be open and accessible to the public
and shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act.
• The workgroup shall determine its own meeting schedule, but shall
attempt to complete its work as expeditiously as possible.
• Written and audio records of meetings, resolutions, findings, and
recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public.
day of , 2017.
lop
October
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COUNTY r ° TCOM TY ASHINGTON
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DanT- :Brorivn. avis,. CJkr; the Council Ba ry ucha an, Council Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM—'
Civil Deputy Prosecutor