The Merced City Council pledged Monday to take the lead on helping the area's homeless people with the caveat that other governments step up their efforts as well.
During a special session, the council spent an hour-and-a-half reviewing its goals and priorities, a slate of issues it wants addressed in the coming months.
The council ranked them during a two-day study session in February. The city's $10.2 million budget shortfall was looming. Now that its spending plan has been approved and the state has a budget, the council can focus on other issues.
Top goals included keeping the public safe, fighting gangs, reducing graffiti, reviewing the city's organization structure, negotiating new contracts with the four unions and looking for ways the city can reduce its energy consumption, or "go green."
Homelessness ranked as a lower priority, though it received the most attention at Monday's meeting. The problem of homelessness has been reinforced in the past couple weeks. The people living in camps along Black Rascal Creek have packed up and moved onto a one-acre piece of land owned by the city.
The council didn't formally move it up in rank, though members agreed something needs to be done. They varied on what kind of role the city should take.
"We're not a social services agency and it becomes tricky when we try to be," Councilman Bill Spriggs said. Other council members echoed his sentiment.
On the other side of the spectrum, Mayor Pro Tem John Carlisle introduced a plan that would take a city-owned apartment complex that will eventually be torn down and convert it temporarily into homeless housing.
The complex is in the 2800 block of Highway 59 and will be razed to widen the road.
"If we don't take the lead we'll go around in circles and accomplish nothing," Carlisle said.
Part of the plan would require nonprofit groups to lend a hand in caring for the homeless people. The county would also be asked to interview each candidate and offer them appropriate services.
The council is set to discuss the plan at its next meeting, Aug. 17. Mayor Ellie Wooten declined to comment, saying she hasn't had a chance to review the proposal.
Still, she said, she worries the city will be the only government committing time, money and energy to helping homeless people.
"To stand out there solo -- not even the county helping -- that doesn't rub me real well," she said.
One big goal, the council agreed, is to have written a 10-year plan to address homelessness. It's key to securing federal funding.
The Continuum of Care, a program run by Merced County Association of Governments, is charged with writing the plan.
Reporter Scott Jason can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or sjason@mercedsun-star.com.
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