Skate Park Expansion: The Corvallis City Council will look at a proposal to expand the Eric Scott McKinley Skate Park at their June 20 meeting. The Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department is in the final planning stages of the Expansion Capital Improvement Project for the park.
“The project will construct a new intermediate/advanced skate bowl adjacent to the existing amenities that allows for broader use of the facilities by a wider range of skill levels while also alleviating overcrowding during peak usage periods,” said Meredith Petit, Parks and Recreation Director. “The design and construction drawings are finalized, and all required regulatory permits are in place to proceed with construction once funding is achieved.”
There is a pending grant application under review seeking funds for construction, and if awarded, construction is anticipated to occur in Summer 2024, according to Petit.
“The skate park is located on Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) property under the Hwy 20/34 Bypass, therefore, requires ODOT authority to perform improvements to the site,” said Petit. “City and ODOT Staff have worked collaboratively to achieve the appropriate documentation through the attached Cooperative Improvement Agreement.”
Currently the project is estimated to cost $208,000 and will be financed through local funds from the city. The estimate for the total Project cost is subject to change.
Homeless Camping Ordinances: Remember us telling you that a new state law would require the city to offer homeless folks a warm and dry place to sleep or rest.
So, the Corvallis City Council will be finalizing a new regulation at their next meeting, and it would go into effect on July 1. It’s aimed at designating specific areas on public property that are open for people that are experiencing homelessness to sit, sleep, and lay down without criminal sanction.
It’s what the new state law demands. ORS 195.530 (former 2021 HB 3115) regulates “the acts of sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to the public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place, and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness.”
What’s Happened So Far: At the June 5 council meeting, the City Attorney’s office presented proposed amendments to the Municipal Code that would bring the city into compliance.
“The changes proposed will not reduce the number of persons experiencing homelessness, will not reduce the visibility of persons experiencing homelessness, will not resolve the systemic issues that lead to or contribute to a person’s homeless status, will not create a sanctioned camp site on city property, and will not reduce or increase the number of illegal camps,” said Catherine Pratt, Deputy City Attorney.
Pratt also said “These proposed changes will also not change the city’s response to illegal camps.”
City Manager Would Decide Where Camping is Legal: “The purpose for the changes is to comply with ORS 195.530, and to delegate authority to the City Manager to authorize locations for persons experiencing homelessness to sit, sleep, and lay down without risk of prosecution in court for those actions,” said Pratt.
What’s Next: The city council will finalize its amendments to the city’s ordinances at their June 20 meeting.
By Jennifer Warner
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