County passes Homeless Overnight/Car Camping Pilot Test for River Road and Santa Clara

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Gary Haliski

Lane County Commissioners voted to start an overnight homeless camping/parking pilot program in the River Road corridor.  The Register-Guard article this morning explains the program.

More specific details can be found in the Lane County memorandum dated November 13.   The following is from the November 13 memorandum.

How it works: A faith community, business, non-profit organization or government office notifies the program coordinator that it wishes to invite a homeless family or individual to stay overnight on their parking lot. The host will work with the program coordinator to establish rules and expectations for the vehicle camper. Vehicle campers call the OPP for an interview appointment to discuss their needs. Applicants may be asked to agree to a criminal background check. The camper may be assigned a parking location at this time or be put on a waiting list. The program coordinator then makes the best possible matches, selecting campers based on the criteria established by a host facility. Once a match is made and both parties agree to terms and conditions for the stay, the OPP arranges sanitation services for the location and on-going site management begins.

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Overnight Camping Program – Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday Nov 21

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Gary Haliski

Overnight Camping Program
Pilot Project

One more neighborhood discussion is planned:

Lane County Board of Commissioners is considering implementing a pilot project to allow camping on private property in the urban transition portions adjacent to the city of Eugene.

County Commissioner Pat Farr will join Jon Belcher and nonprofit and public safety officials to discuss the program being considered and hear input from neighbors.

Tuesday November 21, 2017
6:30 p.m.— 8:00 p.m.
North Eugene High School – Library
200 Silver Lane
Eugene, OR 97404

Posted in Houseless & Rest Stops | 1 Comment

Resources to learn more about the Proposed Lane County Overnight Camping Program

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Gary Haliski

County Commissioner Jay Bozievich held a meeting last night (November 14) at St. Matthew’s Church in Santa Clara to gather feedback about a proposed Lane County Overnight Camping Pilot Program.  Attendees brought up many interesting issues.  Commissioner Bozievich will be taking the feedback from attendees to a November 28th meeting with the other commissioners.

If you want to study the issue further, here are some links to material that covers the proposal.

1. Document handed out by Commissioner Bozievich 1 & 1/4 page.  The document covers the What, Who, Where, Why and hoped for Outcomes.  Note that each site will host from 1 to 4 people.  Therefore, the ten sites would have a total capacity of from 10 to 40 individuals dispersed around Eugene. Click Here.

The Lane County Proposal is modeled on the city of Eugene’s Car Camping program. The city has formed working arrangements with many charitable organizations including St. Vincent de Paul’s, First Christian Church and Community Supported Shelters.  Documents from the City of Eugene’s Outreach Handbook:

2. Eugene Car Camping Program – 1 page. Click Here.
3. Sample Car Camping Agreement between Hosts & Campers – 1 page.  Includes a release and that the tenant may be asked to leave.  Click Here.
4. Sample Agreement Between Host and Camper – 1 page. No drugs allowed, no weapons and more.  Click Here.
5. FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions – 4 pages.  Includes differences between Car Camping (also called Overnight Camping), Rest Stops and other similar city of Eugene programs.  Also includes screening and vetting applicants.  Click Here.
6. St. Vincent de Paul’s Car Camping Program information 1 page.  Click Here.

The entire City of Eugene’s Outreach Handbook can be found here.

If you were unable to attend the November 14th meeting with Commissioner Bozievich please review the documents above.  Commissioners will likely take action at a November 28th meeting.  If you would like to contact any of the commissioners about this issue, use this email link.

Posted in Houseless & Rest Stops | 1 Comment

County Overnight Camping Program Discussion with Commissioner Bozievich Nov 14

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Gary Haliski

Tuesday November 14th
6:30 pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
4110 River Road

From Jay Bozievich, County Commissioner.

Please join me for an information and input meeting on the proposed Overnight Camping Program on Tuesday November 14th at 6:30 pm at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 4110 river Road.

The meeting will begin with a presentation about the proposed Overnight Camping Program with Q&A and then I will take public comment on the program. I then report back to the full Board your input prior to our taking action at our November 28th Board Meeting.

From the SCCO.

The proposed Overnight Camping Program would be similar to Eugene’s program which is run by St. Vincent de Paul’s.  More information about how the Eugene program works can be found at https://www.eugene-or.gov/3703/Car-Camping-Program

Posted in Houseless & Rest Stops, Land Use Planning | 8 Comments

Composting Workshop on November 11

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Peter Thurston

NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Use and Community Calendars
SUBJECT: Community Garden Soil Building Workshop – Free Admission
CONTACT: Peter Thurston — 541-321-0798

On Saturday, November 11, at 11 am, there will be a workshop at the Santa Clara Community Garden, 4110 River Road in the Santa Clara neighborhood of Eugene to demonstrate several soil building methods, including: hot and cold compost, lasagna (layers), and vermiculture (worms) . Master Gardener Bonnie Houston will demonstrate how to keep hot and cold compost going in the fall and winter. A worm bin, started in July, will be checked to see how soil building is going. The benefits of worm castings will be discussed. Other OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners will assist, including translation to Spanish. The workshop will take about an hour, and is free to the public.

Santa Clara Community Garden is a partnership between Santa Clara Community Organization, St. Matthews Episcopal Church, and Huerto de la Familia. The garden is located about two miles north of Beltline Road, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, next to a bus stop for easy access.

Contributions to the community garden for tools, development, and workshops may be made to the Santa Clara Community Organization (SCCO Garden Fund). Please see the community garden website for more information: http://santaclaracommunitygarden.org , or email: goodsoil@santaclaracommunitygarden.org

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