Update: Anti-social sidewalk ordinance amendments pass

author : Drew Hendricks topic : homelessness | Olympia City Council | Olympia Sidewalk Ordinance

by Drew Hendricks

The Olympia City Council passed the amendments to the Sidewalk Ordinance Tuesday, Nov. 28, with Councilmember TJ Johnson voting against, and Councilmember Doug Mah absent.

Councilmember Laura Ware tacked on three amendments, setting an expiration for the ordinance on Dec. 15, 2007, pending renewal; allowing an exception for sitting or lying down in doorways between 10 pm and 7 am; and allowing "busking" (street performance) within designated areas, with a permit. Ware also secured a guarantee from the City Council to spend $200,000 to "fill gaps in services" to the homeless and poor.

Councilmember Karen Messmer added an amendment which specified that business furniture would also need to be clear from the walking zone (6 feet from the building) or have a special use permit. The law is slated to become effective on Feb. 1, 2007.

TJ Johnson pointed out that the law does not address public safety, and is extremely divisive. He recounted many names which were hurled at each side of the debate, and asked us to consider the common humanity in each other's views. Mayor Mark Foutch called for the vote and the measure passed 5 -- 1.

There is already an exception (known as an "affirmative defense," one which must be used in court after one is arrested) for standing in line to buy a ticket. That's an interesting coincidence, since tickets to Olympia Copwatch's December 2007 Ball at the Eagles Hall will only be made available to people who are standing on an Olympia sidewalk. No one in a building will be sold the tickets, which will cost $1 in December 2006 and increase in price each month until December 2007. We're not trying to limit sales of tickets to persons by class, "we're just trying to reward acceptable behavior."