SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane’s City Council decided not to vote on an ordinance on Monday night reaffirming that city hall’s first floor lobby is open to all members of the public during business hours, including homeless residents.
The union that represents the employees who work in city hall demanded a negotiation. Council members decided to defer the vote for a month
Critics say the ordinance could make city hall a makeshift homeless shelter during the day.
Councilwoman Kate Burke proposed the ordinance. She said the ordinance is particularly important as temperatures drop and rent rises in Spokane.
“It’s important to realize that just because someone doesn’t have shelter over their head doesn’t mean they're less than human,” she added.
“We’re a public entity and we should be here to serve the general public as public servants,” Burke said.
The ordinance reads that one of the City of Spokane’s goals is to “create a compassionate community so that all people can feel safe, empowered and welcome” and the city’s strategic action plan calls for city leaders to “protect vulnerable populations,” including those who have nowhere else to go during the winter.
The ordinance also reads that Spokane aims to be a “city of kindness no matter what you look like” in line with its #Spokind initiative.
Burke said she has seen some people warming up or drinking coffee inside city hall who are thrown out after a short time, and she believes the building should be a safe place for all people.
Burke addressed critics who are worried about city hall becoming a makeshift homeless shelter.
“If that happens, we have a bigger problem on our hands than we thought, so it’ll turn our eyes a little bit harder to the issue,” she said.
Burke said those who may abuse the privilege or disrupt city leaders from their work would be escorted out of city hall.
In September, Burke reached out to Spokane's homeless community to find out what resources they need to help them get back on their feet again.
The survey asked those who are unsheltered to rank the amenities listed in order of importance to them or need. Some of these amenities included food stations, mobile showers, cell phone access and public restrooms.
You can read more about the ordinance on the City Council's website.