CLEARLAKE >> Despite having no alternatives to shelter the city’s homeless, the Clearlake City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit unauthorized camping on private property.
According to City Manager Greg Folsom, the city’s many large homeless encampments on private property are creating health, safety, and sanitation hazards. These areas, he said, lack the proper facilities for trash and the disposal of human waste.
Instead, trash has begun to pile up and people are allegedly using 5-gallon buckets to relieve themselves. The former has led to clogged drains and creeks which causes flooding, he added.
If passed, the ordinance would require the removal of the city’s homeless from private property, but it would not provide an alternative location for housing. Under the current budget, the city doesn’t have the funding or the proper facilities to help them.
“There’s barely any money to provide any services,” Folsom said.
The city council discussed the problem and agreed that a coalition must be made with the county and Lakeport to make any progress on it.
The vote was 5-0. It will be discussed at the council’s next regular meeting.
