SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah, March 31, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood hosted a community meeting Friday night in which city residents had a chance to ask questions and express concerns about the seemingly inevitable placement of a homeless shelter in their community.
In a Friday morning news conference, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams had announced his recommendation to the state that a homeless resource center be built in “the area of our proposed location E, 3380 S. 1000 West.”
Following that, Wood held a news conference of her own, and said that although McAdams had attempted to call her before making his announcement, she wasn’t available to get the call and learned of his decision as “breaking news.”
As a result, Wood and other South Salt Lake officials spent the day discussing how to deal with what she called “a lethal blow” to the city. And a community meeting was set for 6 p.m. in the Columbus Center at 2530 S. 500 East.
For such short notice, quite a crowd of residents showed up, many prepared with written questions and comments.
The concern on everyone’s mind was the impact the homeless shelter would have on the community in terms of public safety, the burden on law enforcement, property values, and how committed Salt Lake County is to keeping the “promises” made by McAdams in his announcement.
Wood assured the crowd that all of these issues have been discussed and will continue to be looked at as South Salt Lake negotiates with the state and county to mitigate the impact on the community.
In his announcement, McAdams called for county and state support of the city in adding more open spaces, “… even a county library, so it can help continue the commitment to the community that already exists in South Salt Lake.”
When the library was brought up in the Friday night meeting, Wood pointed out that the library idea isn’t new. Later, a woman in the audience asked if anyone thought a library is “compensation for the people living on that street (where the shelter is to be located).” Wood replied that it is not.
Wood also explained that one hurdle is that “we expected it to be the 9th West site, so 10th West was a surprise,” and city officials now will do site-specific research on the 1000 West location.
Wood presented a brief overview of the Salt Lake County mayor’s “Commitment to Mitigation,” which included: A low-need population at the shelter (single men with jobs, based on referral, no walk-ins); funding in the Legislature’s next session; improvements to the Jordan River; investments in transportation and open space; and commitment to a new library and other amenities, which Wood said may include the possibility of a senior citizen center.
As for South Salt Lake’s “Path Forward,” the points listed included: Litigation, which is not an option; financial demands, such as no tax increase (which the crowd applauded loudly); de-annexation (not an option if it would prevent the city from providing the best services to its businesses and neighborhoods); and an interlocal agreement between the city and the county.
Wood emphasized the importance of an interlocal agreement in ensuring that any promises made by the county will have to be honored, even if there is a change in councils.
A resident asked about taking the shelter issue to court and wondered if any argument can be made regarding the selection criteria used by the county and the state’s Homeless Coordinating Committee. The answer was that House Bill 441, the Housing and Homeless Reform Initiative Amendments, puts the power in the county’s hands.
On the issue of public safety, it was explained that Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder has a 21-point plan that addresses homelessness and the required behavior of those staying in the shelter.
Other questions or suggestions pertained to programs that will be offered to help the homeless in the shelter, protecting the neighborhood from “homeless campers,” and preventing the homeless from spilling into adjacent areas, including West Valley City.
Wood said The Road Home and Shelter the Homeless will coordinate programs for those staying in the shelter.
On the issue of people camping out or otherwise becoming a nuisance, she said the city is looking at strengthening its ordinances and enforcement.
The city is also looking at how to make it difficult for people to make their way from the shelter into the adjoining neighborhoods, and South Salt Lake is already talking with West Valley, because the shelter will affect both cities. They’re discussing fences, walls and other barriers.
Granite School District has had plans to build an elementary school on property in the area, and Wood said that still needs to be discussed with the county.
Several residents took time to thank Wood and the council for all their efforts to help the city and keep residents apprised of everything that’s happening. Each of these comments was met with applause from the crowd.
The loudest and longest round of approval was for the resident who expressed his thoughts on the ongoing situation in general. He said he thinks “McAdams burned all his bridges in the county and won’t be re-elected,” and he suggested that Wood run for the position of county mayor.
She demurred, saying, “I’m committed to South Salt Lake.”
