Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/325356
Meanwhile, county commissioners have com- plained repeatedly about what one deems "stalling" and "sabotage" in the process of establishing a shelter. Two city commissioners — Shaw and Chapman — have consistently voted against putting the shelter on the north side of the city. And both voted against the "hands-off" policy. The formal process is on track, despite county commissioner allegations. Because federal money will be used to create the shelter, an environmental assessment must be under- taken of the proposed sites. Early evaluations turned up pollution problems on both parcels, so a more intensive study is under way. The results should be released at the June 23 joint meeting. Mayor Shaw hopes that session will be pro- ductive because of the city commissioners' preparations for it. "Can we create a pro- cess that we won't be accused of stalling?" he asked on Monday. "We each are coming up with more information. That discussion should be a paramount discussion. We need to come to a place where our conversation benefits all who are concerned." City Commissioner Suzanne Atwell remains steadfast in support of a north Sarasota shel- ter site. "We both hired Dr. Marbut," she said, referring to the county and city boards. "I will not cut this off at its knees. We don't know what is going to happen." (Marbut is not a physician. He holds a doctor- ate in political science; his thesis was on the ultra-orthodox Wahhabi sect of Islam.) The other two members of the City Commission supporting the north-side shelter are running for the same seat on the County Commission, with a face-off coming in the August primary. Snyder and Paul Caragiulo are jockeying for the seat being vacated under term limits by County Commissioner Joe Barbetta. Under the state's "resign-to-run" rule, both have tendered their resignations from the City Commission effective in mid-November. Snyder made a motion Monday to reinstate HOT teams "in a very prudent manner." It passed unanimously, reversing the hands-off policy instituted earlier. Chapman then made a motion to create a formal advisory board for vagrancy and homelessness issues. Snyder seconded the motion. Caragiulo said he would support the drafting of a resolution to create the board, "but this is not an endorsement of the final product." Again, the vote was unanimous. They represent the first unanimous votes on any homelessness issue of consequence this year. It will take time to re-enable the Homeless Outreach Team. Other social service agen- cies need to be re-engaged, and the city's new homeless caseworker needs to be integrated as well. It will mean a greater police presence in and around the numerous city camps of homeless and vagrant people. But the establishment of a permanent advisory board could prove the long-lasting contribu- tion to the debate. It may move the "forum" off the regular City Commission agenda and into the hands of appointees who have both compassion and real knowledge about the problems of homelessness and vagrancy. The shelter so far has been a "vote first, discuss later" issue. After Monday's decisions, it appears the "discussion" segment may regain its priority in the establishment of city policy. % Sarasota News Leader June 6, 2014 Page 27