Downtown Encampments and Safety Task Force

At a glance

• What: The new downtown committee held its first meeting, with public comment allowed, on encampments of unhoused people, now under a bridge after being moved from in front of the 100 Willow Street shelter and service center. The mayor has called for a task force by executive order, led by the public health director and the police chief, with Councilors Megie-Maddrey and Paez participating.
• Where it stands: Early discussion only; no encampment ban or ordinance proposed. Council members said an ordinance might be considered later if services alone fail and would be developed through the task force.

Based on auto-generated captions of the video; names, numbers and addresses may be misheard.

Sources

• 2026-10-13 - City Council
• 2026-10-13 - City Council Committees

Log

2026-10-13 - City Council Committees

Residents and service providers urged evidence-based policy, a service audit and a listening forum for people living outside; a shelter resident urged safe-zone approaches. A public email address for the task force was given as safetydowntown at the city's web domain. The committee chair said the unhoused would be offered a forum as in August.

2026-10-13 - City Council

The Downtown Development Committee's report was accepted. It noted the rise in unhoused people downtown, a possible encampment ordinance to be approached carefully, and the mayor's executive order creating a downtown task force with Councilors Megie-Maddrey and Paez. Councilors urged ongoing meetings with residents and business owners.