Potential temporary overnight sheltering locations were approved by city council, but only as options if shelters fill up.
Adoption of a temporary overnight shelter policy went ahead after some heated debate at the regular council meeting at city hall on May 6.
In the report from bylaw staff, the sites would only be activated if shelters are full, so the vote from council provided pre-approval in case they were needed.
Councillor Scott Nelson strongly opposed any temporary overnight sheltering locations within the city, accusing the city of "rolling out the red carpet" for the homeless, while the rest of council expressed their desire to protect the city from potential legal action due to human rights violations.
After an area designated for temporary overnight shelters in Boitanio Park lead to a number of issues for park users, the city council asked staff to bring back a report providing alternative locations. Staff used a number of different factors to evaluate potential locations, and council approved a location based on discussion at the committee of the whole meeting held April 29.
Two locations were initially brought forward as alternating locations for temporary overnight shelters, however, the location at 351 Hodgson Road was no longer an option after council approved leasing the property for a construction laydown.
So in the end, an area of the RC Cotton Site, on Bagshaw Road, would become the designated location for people to erect tents within the city - but only if needed. Tents would have to be removed in the morning and could only be used when shelters were full. By designating a location, the bylaw staff are then better able to move people along from other public properties.
While the majority of council acknowledged that the policy should ideally not have to be used, they said it gives bylaw officers the tools they need and protects the city from potential human rights violations and therefore legal and financial repercussions.
"I really appreciate that the report highlighted several times that this policy won't be used unless the shelters are full," said Coun. Jazmyn Lyons.
"This is a safety net for us," she said.
Previous Supreme Court decisions ruled not allowing tents for temporary overnight shelter on public land when other options were not available was a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Nelson expressed his belief those who are not staying in the shelters are doing so because they are not following the rules and said instead they should be removed from the community.
He said the city's move is attracting more people to the community who need services and jeopardizes community safety.
"They should be in an institution, they should be forced into involuntary treatment," he said, accusing his fellow councillors of being a part of the problem.
"You should be ashamed of yourselves," he said.
Nelson said the community is on edge and said there should be a no tents policy in the city.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said he agreed with points Nelson made, but has to protect the city from potential legal action.
"I totally sympathize with the business community, I wish I can tell them something different," he said.
"Rather than paying a million dollars to lawsuits and here and there, I'd rather use that money for filling the potholes, building a better road and the other responsibilities the city has in the community," said Rathor.
Councillor Joan Flaspohler brought forward a motion for staff to provide quarterly reports on the use of the designated areas and the status of emergency shelters in the community.
"I really want to know what the bylaw department is having to deal with," she said.
"I am not ashamed of being proactive," said Flaspohler, noting she was also upset about the situation but was working to try and find a solution.
Coun. Michael Moses had asked if the city would provide washroom or garbage facilities for people erecting tents in the interest of saving bylaw services from having to clean messes. Chief Administrative Officer for the city, Gary Muraca, said the sites were selected for proximity to washrooms and Scout Island public washrooms are "a block away."
Moses also said he supports receiving the reports and referenced reports to council provided by Silvia Seibert-Dubray, the well being and safety plan coordinator with the city of Williams Lake.
"If we go back and read these reports, it actually shows in them the reasons our shelter isn't full, and it isn't the reason everyone at this table is trying to portray," said Moses. He said rooms needing repairs and staffing shortages have also been among the explanations given for shelters not being at full capacity, which he said could give legal grounds for groups to find the city at fault if no locations were provided for tents in those cases.
Council passed the committee recommendation and policy. Nelson was the sole opposed council member. The recommendation also included direction for council to review the locations and policy in nine months.
Council then voted unanimously in favour of Flaspohler's recommendation for staff to provide quarterly reports on the use of the temporary shelter locations and shelter capacity.
