Currently watching the Minneapolis Park Board regular meeting. The agenda containing Resolution 2020-267, which would limit encampments to 25 tents in no more than 20 sites and requires an encampment permit to be obtained for all encampments, was unanimously carried.

This resolution exempts Powderhorn Park from the listed limitations, but also includes a clause that requires volunteers to significantly reduce the current number of tents and residents over a three-week period.

Juli Weisman, Finance Director, announces that the Park Board has been promised via email $78,000 from the state of Minnesota under emergency response funds for the encampments.

Several folks have signed up for open time. The Park Board is allotting one hour total for open time with one minute for each person. The room is stated to be at capacity, with several folks outside of the room.

cw: transphobia

a very transphobic man is rambling about trans folks and he seems against the encampments as well. He said something about tearing down tents.

The second person is also strongly against the encampments, using a discourse of carcerality and uncleanliness

Third person is doing the same as well, framing the encampment as an encroachment and "out of control".

More people using really abhorrent language to disparage the residents. Referring to the homeless as criminals. Threatening a class action lawsuit against Minneapolis. Calls for permanent housing, Medicare for All to solve problem, but "the rest of them are criminals"

This seems to be an organized effort, with people using the same talking points. Strongly praising the virtue of the parks of Minneapolis, but additionally claiming that the Park Board is not qualified to handle housing and healthcare, and continually mentioning children

I will say this: the "beautiful parks of Minneapolis" are built on ground that was stolen from indigenous people. Which residents of Minneapolis are the parks for, really? The entitlement I'm hearing from these speakers, personally, is appalling.

People calling for the disbandment of the encampments are calling for, in essence, the request to make the violent crisis of internal displacement in Minneapolis to disappear, to be rendered less visible for certain residents and certain spaces of Minneapolis.

This is truly the privilege of the West, particularly the US, to be able to hide from the violence of capitalism and internal displacement through segregating stolen land, so that wealthy white people do not have to witness what this country has wrought.

The thinly-veiled concern for Minneapolis's homeless population is belied by the use of the language of criminalization, of vilifying addiction and sex work.

A resident from a homeless encampment announces that the community has raised enough money for ten apartment complexes owned by Hennepin County, for over 100 people to be housed.

"not every homeless person is an addict or sex worker or a criminal"
"the shepherds have left, and the wolves and the prey remain"
This language is appalling.

There is a medic who is refuting claims that organizers have pulled out of east powderhorn park, and is also claiming the incidents of violence mentioned by other speakers are not residents.

There is another Powderhorn resident who met with organizers, rebutting this claim.

Someone is directly criticizing District 1 Park Board Commissioner Chris Meyer for "putting [them] in this situation."

An attorney is claiming that the Park Board has reversed the reputation of Minneapolis as the most beautiful and clean city in North America in a matter of weeks. I find it interesting that there is more emphasis placed on the perception of Minneapolis rather than the residents.

There is broad agreement across the board that city and state politicians have completely failed to address the housing crisis, which has only intensified in the midst of a global pandemic. Where is your promise to end homelessness now @MayorFrey?

A couple of people tonight have talked about a topless ordinance (PB2-21) that exists in the parks that they have previously been targeted, harassed, and cited by police for.

Open time has ended. The reports of standing committees must conclude before going into unfinished business which holds Resolution 2020-267.

Resolution 2020-267 has been formally introduced.

Commissioner Vetaw is calling for an amendment:
1. Staff take into consideration school zones when determining sites (referred to as refuge sites) for encampments.

Clarified by Brad Bourn as an friendly amendment that staff ensure that encampments do not infringe on school zones

Commissioner Bourn is asking if Powderhorn would be exempt from the school zone amendment clause based on the proximity of Wilders School.

Bourn just asked if Powderhorn Park is within the school zone, then the encampments would be abolished.

Clapping from the audience.

The amendment is unanimously passed.

Unsure how this would affect Powderhorn Park.

VP Commissioner Vetaw's second amendment is to strike the Powderhorn Park exemptions to size limits, as many speakers requested during open time.

When asked for clarification from Severson, Vetaw said she wanted all parks to be treated the same in this resolution.

Someone (I believe it was Severson) asked if there was a plan for the 800+ residents of Powderhorn Park. Vetaw had a very vague answer. Roll is being called now.

The amendment to remove the Powderhorn Park exemption is unanimously passed.

Commissioner Musich states that she has many questions.
"What I'm really wondering is the logistic of how permits go with this, who enforces permits? I'm concerned about the violation of park laws, the use of drugs, particularly injectable drugs, I'm concerned about the violence"

A permit application will be completed, sent to an email and evaluated then sent to a Superintendent. Planning for a two week duration for a permit that can be renewed. Enforcement of compliance, they say, depends on volunteers and partners. Park police are last resort.

Commissioner Musich is concerned about organizers distributing needles, alcohol, and drugs-would a permit be revoked? The answer would be yes. However, somebody else within a collective would be able to reapply at that encampment.

Commissioner Musich--the exploitation and violence that you mention have long existed in this city, and have been the continued lived reality of homeless folk.

Commissioner Severson--"What's the plan?... What parks have been identified and why? Shouldn't the people have a say in this resolution? Who will provide security?"

"Can somebody help explain to me why a plan was not presented this evening to help us move forward?"

President Cowgill called this resolution as "an embedded part of several conversations" and mentions a clause that mentions at most 10% of arable land in parks can be used for encampments. Mentions that Superintendent Bangoura has been in daily meetings with other govt entities

Commissioner Severson asked for specific ls on what parks that have been selected and why.

Assistant Superintendent Michael Schroeder is explaining what has been done so far.

Didn't catch the names of all the parks mentioned, but I caught Powderhorn, Whittier, Kenwood, Lyndale--Farmstead. Hopefully someone else can fill that in

The Park Board staff has defined "buffer zones" for residential zones, but needs to now do so for school zones (300 ft on a city block)

There is a presentation that will explain the plan for design ting encampments further.

Commissioner Severson is very disappointed that the head of the neighborhood association around Willard Park has not engaged this issue.

Commissioner Severson asks President Cowgill is he is ready to support Park Police in enforcing Park ordinances in accordance to this matter. President Cowgill said that he is bound to do so.

(my god)

The presentation will include the overview of the encampment management plan, an overview of public comments recieved since July 1st, and an overview of the resolution. Jeremy Barrick is presenting.

Quality isn't great but this is the first slide providing updates

Location of encampments

Finances of Park Board funding of encampments

They are spending about $4,000/wk for buffs and washing stations in Powderhorn.

Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto presenting now. Oh here we go

"we are trending up"

There is currently a "Major Crimes at Encampment Sites since July 1st" presentation going on. I'm not going to be tweeting that.

Overview of the Encampment Management Plan

"it shouldn't be considered definitive in all respects... we're gonna have to rely on our partner agencies"

This goal is being phrased as an "interim solution"

Structure/mini-goals of the plan

"Keep people safe"
Note: Schroeder said "This is our land, this is Park land, it's our responsibility to keep people safe." Sorry, whose land?

"Perpetuate park use"

Information about public comments recieved since July 1st about the encampments

Thos slide sets out several definitions listed under the whereas clauses of the resolution

More explanation of the whereas clauses

More whereas clauses. There is a requirement that an update be made to the Board by September 15th.

Commissioner French: "Everybody decided to write these folks off, and we decided to do the right thing. Lord knows I try, Lord knows the volunteers try, but people aren't safe now..."

Says he empathizes with the homeowners of Powderhorn Park, but asks that they have the same veracity in asking for resources for unsheltered folks at City Council, and at the state.

Commissioner Bourn is taking issue with the stipulation that passing out needles would be grounds for revoking permits, as it would penalize folks for working with folks with chemical dependencies who are trying to be safe.

Bourn is also asking how would anyone want to apply for a permit when it comes with immense legal liability. Superintendent responds that the permit system has been used extensively before for activities like sports, and picking fruit.

Superintendent says that at this time there is normally no legal liability incurred for damages to the parks, but permit holders may be held liable if damages are extensive.

Commissioner Bourn brings up that there is a history of encampments that are not convenient to park users, but many of these encampments would not be included under the resolution. Asks if there's a metric for precedent of use

Michael Schroeder responds that this was not previously considered.

A buffer zone for residential areas is 25 ft according to the City of Minneapolis, as they have the jurisdiction to determine that. This is what will be applied when determing encampments.

Commissioner Forney asks for a definition of tent.

Michael Schroeder points out that encampments have supply and administrative tents. Many residents may have multiple tents. Each tent, regardless of its purpose or if it belongs to the same resident, counts as a tent

Commissioner Meyer points out that he doesn't want to evict people to leave until they have somewhere else to go. Says that some folks in the encampments have alternate housing arrangements, but for many people there's nowhere else to go.

Commissioner Meyer tried to introduce a resolution to allow alternative locations to be used like Minnesota State Fairgrounds and the Kmart. Nobody seconded it so it did not pass.

Commissioner Vetaw says that "we are out of their wheelhouse". Describes some experiences she's had at an encampment. But as Commissioner Meyer points out, where are you going to tell people to go?

Commissioner Vetaw introduces an amendment that would allow encampments to be restricted and evicted if there is an established threat to safety and security. It's immediately seconded by Commissioner Forney. Applause from the audience.

Commissioner Bourn is taking issue with the potential latitude of the amendment of what defines a) violating the permit, b) a security threat that would allow Superintendent Bangoura to authorize restriction and eviction. Says he ultimately supports th amendment.

Discussion about a conflict of interest in regards to Superintendent Bangoura and the Lyndale-Farmstead encampment. Most of the Board trusts Bangoura to exercise discretion.

The security amendment passes 7-2 (French and Severson voted against)

Commissioner Bourn offers an amendment, but first asks Commissioner Meyer to read the language of his previously failed amanedment on establishing alternative locations.

Commissioner Bourn asks to amend the 25 tents/20 encampments to include several permanent encampments+

that already exist, including Nicollet Island, for example.

He also wants to add Commissioner Meyer's clause minus the inclusion of the Uptown Kmart location

The amendment is seconded.

Commissioner Meyer is confused why the Kmart location was taken off when it would be ideal.

Commissioner Musich asks if the prior permanent encampments are mentioned if they would be subject to the rules of the resolution. They would not.

Both Commissioner Meyer and Commissioner Musich will not be supporting the amendment, though it appears to be for different reasons.

Commissioner Bourn says that he doesn't want to use the Kmart because of the history of 100 people who had camped out for months and the city did nothing. He said it felt like forcing people onto reservations.

He talks about the privilege that comes with bureaucratic-bending that allows people to have private property on public land like at Nicollet Island, including the first speaker who identified themselves as a resident of Nicollet Island while disparaging encampment residents

Bourn's amendment fails 1-8 (everybody voted against it)

Commissioner Bourn says he'll be voting for the resolution, but has serious reservations about the lack of a clear plan. Calls this "dystopian bureaucracy". Commissioner Bourn says that they are ejecting hundreds of people after a promise made by the Park Board.

Says that tonight they are evicting hundreds of people from indigenous Dakota land

Roll on the resolution now

Resolution 2020-267 unanimously passes, but some members took more time to deliberate (Bourn, Severson, French, Cowgill).

Vetaw seems excited. Some claps from the audience.

Hundreds of homeless folks have been evicted with nowhere to go, based on authority lorded over stolen land. The speakers at open time who were so contemptuous of homeless folks have gotten the crisis of internal displacement erased from their view.

A strange moment near the end of the resolution that I didn't mention was when Superintendent Bangoura had a slip of the tongue where he said "refugee" rather than "refuge". I found this to be somewhat of a Freudian slip.

I will have to take a look at the fully updated resolution, which includes clauses that are not yet available online. But from here I will try to provide a summary of what this resolution will do.

First, the size of encampments will be limited to 25 tents to a maximum of 20 sites, that will be determined by Park Board staff based on a series of metrics, most of which are not entirely clear afaik. This restriction now applies to Powderhorn Park as well.

Some of the metrics mentioned include a residential buffer zone (25 ft), a school buffer zone (300 ft on a city block), and the consideration of certain geographic features like steep slopes. Around 13-14 parks have already been considered, including Powderhorn, Whittier, +

Kenwood, Willard, and Lyndale-Farmstead. The parks haven't been decided yet, and Assistant Superintendent James Schroeder has mentioned that some parks reviewed do not fit the metrics above.