Council hears COVID, homelessness and police updates and reviews budget amendment and hearing items
December 7, 2021, 2:00 p.m. · Hybrid meeting
At a work session, the council received administration updates, a follow-up briefing on Budget Amendment No. 4 and briefings on alley vacations, a Redwood Road rezone, a health care innovation blueprint and a sublease at The Leonardo. In a straw poll, members present supported $600,000 for community activities near the proposed overflow shelter. Council Member Darin Mano was absent.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall reported on COVID-19 statistics, the Omicron variant and vaccination sites. Andrew Johnston, director of homelessness policy and outreach, covered homelessness statistics, emergency shelter and housing needs for the next three years, and the share of permanent supportive housing for single adults located in the city and county. Police Chief Mike Brown reported declining crime trends, and a lieutenant described technology upgrades meant to help the department engage with the community.
Item 3 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 4, fiscal 2021-22: follow-up briefing
Discussed
Staff recapped the process for the amendment and reviewed items including the Public Lands park ranger program, the Community Commitment Program rapid intervention team, an Economic Development loan fund, a COVID-19 local assistance matching grant program, the Westside perpetual housing fund and nonprofit and business grants. Members and staff discussed funding for the emergency overflow shelter, the county contract, mitigation for nearby businesses, and park ranger jurisdiction and qualifications. In a straw poll, all members present supported allocating $600,000 for community-based activities near the proposed overflow shelter.
- Budget$600,000
Item 4 · Development
Alley vacation, 1200 block of Kensington and Bryan avenues
Discussed
Staff briefed the council on vacating a City-owned alley that runs from 1300 East to the McClelland Trail so the adjacent owners can absorb it. Planning staff reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendation. Discussion covered the utility easement, the approval process and public comments received.
Item 5 · Development
Columbus Street alley vacation north of Victory Road
Discussed
Staff briefed the council on vacating about 2,750 square feet of remaining alley next to properties on North Columbus Street and Victory Road. The planner said the neighborhood supports the vacation.
Item 6 · Zoning
Rezone at Redwood Road and Indiana Avenue
Discussed
Staff briefed the council on rezoning two properties from R-1/5,000 to R-MU-45, consistent with the Westside Master Plan's planned community node. Members asked whether a development plan existed (none has been submitted) and about density that mixed-use development could bring.
Item 8 · Presentation
Health care innovation blueprint
Discussed
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute presented a blueprint for growing the city's health care innovation economy, prepared at the request of Economic Development. It lists four recommendations: brand, promote and grow; increase investment; emphasize pathways and partnerships; and strengthen foundation and remove barriers. Members discussed the advisory group, next steps for the administration, what the city can offer to attract firms, links to education and ensuring residents benefit.
Item 9 · Contract
City consent to subleases at The Leonardo
Discussed
Staff and The Leonardo's board chair described a proposed sublease of space to Ken Sanders Rare Books and the need for a public hearing because the building is tied to city bond funding. Members discussed the bond payoff timeline, how many subleases might come to the council, delegating approval authority and other possible tenants. The board chair said any sublessee must fit The Leonardo's mission, and financial obligations between The Leonardo and the city were noted as resolved.
Item 11 · Other
2022 annual council meeting calendar
Discussed
The executive director's report adjusted the 2022 calendar: January 11 becomes a work session only, a March 15 session moves to March 22, May 24 and 31 are tentative budget work sessions, June 14 is budget adoption with June 21 held in reserve, and July and August dates were changed. All members agreed to the schedule.