April 2014 – Tent City Tacoma

PRESENT: Neal, Vince (facilitator), Lisa, Alan (note taker).

April 7, 2014

We really did not have a formal agenda at this time, as there wasn’t much business.

We discussed the public comment testimony in front of the city council regarding proposed land use permits needed to set up a temporary tent city for homeless people. John Harrington of the city planning department gave a presentation, and then members of the public spoke. Neal and Alan spoke in favor, and Pastor Bruce and Valentine Smith (a member of a neighborhood council) spoke against it. Mr. Smith said he based his comments on informal discussion with members of his neighborhood council, as well as other people who live near him.

Alan posted an edited video of the public comment on YouTube, our Facebook page, and our web page. He said he made an unofficial transcript of the public comments, which he will prepare for distribution as a PDF file.

This is a video of the public testimony delivered on April 1, 2014, at the Tacoma City Council meeting regarding use permits needed to set up a tent city.

It began with John Harrington from the city Planning and Development Services Department giving a presentation. Councilwoman Walker said a few words in support of John Harrington and Colin DeForest’s efforts to educate the city council about homelessness.

Afterwards, there were 4 members of the public who testified, 2 in favor and 2 against.

Opposed were Pastor Bruce who ministers to homeless, and Valentine Smith, a member of a neighborhood council.

In support were Alan OldStudent and Neal Rogers, both on the Tent City Tacoma development team.

TCT Minutes, April 7, 2014

City Council Public Testimony on TCT Permits