Council to consider homeless camp extension, Michigan Street move

By Thorin Sprandel • March 9, 2020 6:30 pm
The City of Aberdeen’s property at 421 South Michigan Street on Jan. 10. The potential site of a new homeless camp is between the tracks and Harbor Battery, Finn Electric and Cintas on State Street. (Thorin Sprandel | Grays Harbor News Group)
The City of Aberdeen’s property at 421 South Michigan Street on Jan. 10. The potential site of a new homeless camp is between the tracks and Harbor Battery, Finn Electric and Cintas on State Street. (Thorin Sprandel | Grays Harbor News Group)

The agenda for this Wednesday’s Aberdeen City Council meeting includes two reports from the Ad Hoc Committee on Homeless Response that address what action the city should take before the permit for the temporary homeless camp near City Hall expires this coming Sunday.

One report recommends that the council approve an extension of the permit for the homeless camp through May 15, pending funding from partner agencies, with an additional $45,000 in expenses. Any extension beyond May 15, 2020, would require a separate council authorization.

A second report recommends that in the event that funding becomes available beyond May 15, that the homeless camp be moved to the city’s property located at 421 S. Michigan St. The move would require a temporary-use permit to be approved by the council at a later meeting. The temporary permit could only be authorized for up to one year.

Grays Harbor County Commissioner Randy Ross said last week that the tent camp isn’t eligible for county funding since doesn’t meet the definition of a permanent low-barrier shelter. City Council President Dee Anne Shaw said the city is hopeful they will be able to secure state funding for the camp.

There will be an opportunity for public comment on agenda action items at the 7:15 p.m. Wednesday meeting. Comments are limited to three minutes per person.