PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles city staff are recommending a wide-ranging package of homelessness and public sanitation measures Tuesday night following months of council discussions over camping, public safety and impacts on neighborhoods and parks.
One of the biggest proposals would authorize the city to seek outside organizations to develop and operate sanctioned encampments and safe parking sites in Port Angeles. Staff say operators would be expected to provide security, garbage service, showers, laundry, storage, food access and connections to social services. No funding has been committed yet, with cost proposals expected to come later through the request-for-proposals process.
Staff are also recommending continued expansion of 24-hour public restrooms. A restroom at Erickson Playfield is already funded, with additional units planned for Ediz Hook and Elks Playfield. Lincoln Park has also been identified as a future need.
Another recommendation would begin planning for more public trash receptacles throughout the city, particularly in downtown and park areas. City staff say Parks and Recreation already maintains 114 exterior trash cans and 42 additional cans inside park restrooms and rental facilities while covering more than 25 miles of daily service routes.
Council members will also review the city’s proposed encampment response procedures. Under the draft policy, Port Angeles Police would coordinate complaints and responses involving camping, code violations and outreach with parks staff, city departments and outside service organizations.
Another proposal would explore giving Port Angeles a stronger voice in how homelessness funding is distributed through the Clallam County Homelessness Task Force, including possible changes to regional oversight structures