HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 10/27/2020 - Memorandum From Marcy Yoder Re: Library Park Neighborhood Updates
Planning, Development & Transportation
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 N. College Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2350
970.224.6134 FAX
www.fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 20, 2020
TO: Mayor Troxell and City Council Members
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, PDT Director
Paul Sizemore, Interim CDNS Director
FROM: Marcy Yoder, Neighborhood Services Manager
RE: Library Park Neighborhood Updates
Purpose: This memo provides a semi-weekly summary of strategies to compassionately
manage and address issues impacting the Library Park Neighborhood, including recent trends
and communication efforts.
Updates from taskforce members:
Fort Collins Police Services reports that there is regular overnight camping occurring in
the area. Officers regularly respond to reports of disruptive behaviors and other criminal
activity in this area. Officers frequently find evidence of drug use and suspects with
arrest warrants when addressing these complaints. Citations have been issued and
arrests made in the Library Park Neighborhood over that last two weeks.
Code Compliance has observed an increase of people and their belongings in the area.
Early morning patrols indicate that there are people constructing makeshift coverings
overnight, that are removed daily. There have been some contacts from neighbors
regarding the increase of people and belongings, sometimes blocking sidewalks, etc.
Code staff continue to address violations when they are found.
Outreach Fort Collins has identified an increase in belongings, specifically people's
personal items and not trash or waste, on the Mennonite property. Individuals
congregated there have not demonstrated aggressive or disruptive behaviors. The
increase has coincided with cooler overnight temperatures. Our team continues to
survey the area and engage with individuals there during the day and on evening shifts
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until 8:00 p.m. General feedback is that there are no
indoor alternatives for homeless individuals to stay during the day and the shelters are
full at night.
Social Sustainability has continued supporting plans for temporary overnight shelter at
1301 Blue Spruce as well as expanded women’s shelter at Catholic Charities with the
expected opening date of November 2. Social Sustainability has continued supporting
plans for temporary overnight shelter for men at 1301 Blue Spruce Dr. as well as
expanded women’s shelter at Catholic Charities with the expected opening date of
November 2. Additionally, Westminster Presbyterian Church has offered to provide
space at their building located at 1709 W. Elizabeth Street to Homeward Alliance to
provide an inclement weather day shelter. City Council will consider an emergency
ordinance to allow this temporary use at its adjourned meeting on October 27.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E6FA838-67A1-4A3E-9D7F-80DCD6CED3BC
Background:
A City task force is coordinating across departments to share updates and advance strategies to
compassionately manage and address issues impacting the Library Park
neighborhood. The task force includes staff from Police Services, Neighborhood Services/Code
Compliance, Social Sustainability, City Attorney’s Office, and the City Manager’s Office. It also
includes Outreach Fort Collins, a community partner offering support for people experiencing
homelessness.
CC: Honore Depew, Interim Policy and Project Manager
Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Director
Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police
Tim Doran, Police Assistant Chief
Jerry Schiager, Police Lieutenant
Ingrid Decker, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Nick Verni-Lau, Outreach Fort Collins Program Director
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2E6FA838-67A1-4A3E-9D7F-80DCD6CED3BC