March 21, 2023, NPA Resolution on Vagrancy and Homelessness
To be presented to Brunswick City Commissioners at the April 5, 2023, meeting.
HISTORIC BRUNSWICK NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING ASSEMBLY
WHEREAS
The Historic Brunswick Neighborhood Planning Assembly was established to promote the common good and general welfare in the neighborhoods known as Historic Brunswick; and
WHEREAS
The NPA’s purpose is to help provide citizens with information concerning city programs and activities; help obtain citizen views of city needs; help provide citizens with opportunities to participate in making recommendations with respect to governmental decisions including allocation of revenues, voice concerns and promote ideas for improvement; and
WHEREAS
Members of the NPA and Historic Brunswick neighborhood have expressed concerns at recent meetings, including a town hall held in September 2022 attended by more than 150 residents and business owners, regarding the public safety effects of vagrancy; and
WHEREAS
The Historic Brunswick NPA seeks to engage city elected officials constructively and effectively,
Now, therefore, the Historic Brunswick NPA submits these resolutions passed by a quorum of Historic Brunswick NPA members at its March 21, 2023, meeting to the Brunswick City Commissioners. It is hereby
RESOLVED WITH OBJECTIONS
The Historic Brunswick NPA urges the Brunswick City Commission to close the homeless day-use facility known as The Well operated by FaithWorks ministry at 1101 Gloucester Street; It is further
RESOLVED WITH OBJECTIONS
The Historic Brunswick NPA requests the City Commission investigate the lack of staffing at the Brunswick Police Department and instruct city staff to report back to the Historic Brunswick NPA why staffing problems are occurring and what can be done to resolve the issues; It is further
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY
The Brunswick City Commission and city staff review the “LaGrange Group Home” ordinance (City of LaGrange, Georgia, Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 25B-30-9 Residential Group Living Uses) and provide feedback to the Historic Brunswick NPA about the feasibility of instituting a similar ordinance in Brunswick to regulate group homes, residential treatment facilities, and homeless shelters; it is further
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY
The Historic Brunswick NPA asks the City Commission to ensure the enforcement of existing ordinances and codes already codified; It is further
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY
The Historic Brunswick NPA asks the City Commission to work with the Glynn County Commission to create a homeless oversight commission or authority to reduce duplication of services and foster cooperation among groups or organizations offering help to people experiencing homelessness; It is further
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY
The Brunswick City Commission and city staff investigate the feasibility of creating a “Blight Tax” to increase property taxes on blighted properties to encourage remediation or redevelopment; It is further
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY
The Brunswick City Commission should establish a plan and expect community and neighborly standards of The Well if it is not close, including penalties for The Well if standards are not met; It is further
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY
The Historic Brunswick NPA members instruct the NPA’s Steering Committee to investigate hiring legal counsel to aid the NPA in the pursuit of its endeavors; It is further
RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY
That these resolutions be presented to the Brunswick City Commission.
This 21st day of March 2023