Warming center plans amid holiday period prioritized at Oakridge City Council meeting 12/5

By ELLIE GRAHAM/for The Herald  —  The Oakridge City Council convened on Dec. 5, addressing a packed agenda of community updates, holiday celebrations and ongoing discussions about the city’s warming center efforts. 

With cold temperatures and wet conditions looming, councilors were keen to address provisions that are in place for disadvantaged community members – specifically the elderly. Volunteer coordination during the winter season is being mobilized to assist the unhoused in the cold months and remains a pressing agenda item.

The city, which is already running six programs, was spotlighted by a community member who said it is “running the town thin.” Resources were cited as scarce yet demands remain high. 

A significant portion of the meeting addressed responses to ongoing operations for the city’s warming center, led by the nonprofit organization, SHARP. The discussion revolved around balancing volunteer needs, funding constraints and the well-being of the unhoused residents.

Representatives of the nonprofit highlighted challenges in operating the warming center, including volunteer coordination and a notable drop in usage due to inconsistent schedules in previous years.

Some concerns came to light from the council, regarding warming shelters being geared more toward becoming shelters if opened extensively. To avoid this, the council responded to the proposal of the warming center, located at the Greenwaters Park community building, being available for two consistent nights a week during December to provide reliable shelter and services. 

 WERSHARP’s request for flexibility to open on additional nights during extreme weather did undergo some push back. Council members expressed concerns about potential shifts in the center’s mission and financial sustainability.

“I’m concerned with the fact that it sounds more and more like it’s becoming an unhoused shelter, instead of just a learning center. When we’re open on a more consistent basis, that’s more in line with a homeless shelter,” Councilor Brewer said.

Brewer went on to say, “That’s not something that I think the city can afford, and I don’t think it’s something that the taxpayers would be thrilled about supporting just because of our financial situation for the city, not only with our parks but with utilities in general.”

Councilor Hollett echoed Brewer’s concerns while acknowledging there is an immediate critical need that exists. 

“I also can understand the weather emergency because when people are soaking wet that creates a lot of other health risks,” said Brewer. “So, although I don’t necessarily feel in favor of the two days a week, I do feel in favor of when we have extra rain and where there isn’t anywhere for the unhoused to get dry.” 

Hollett expressed the need to work on securing a more formal approach and “official stance” to aid nonprofits and provide an “umbrella service” that is sustainable for the city to manage. 

The council also clarified that the two days a week system is to cater solely to the holiday period, which is designed to relieve volunteers who may be making their own holiday arrangements. 

Public comment at the Thursday night meeting was minimal. 

As the city grappled with the dual challenges of serving unhoused residents and maintaining fiscal responsibility, the council said it remains committed to exploring solutions that address immediate needs while planning for the future. Further discussions on the matter will take place in the new year. 

Holiday festivities are in full swing for the city, with the Parade of Lights set to gear up on Saturday, Dec. 14. The parade will start at 5 p.m. from School Street and wind down through the city to conclude at Greenwaters Park at 7 p.m. 

The Oakridge Public Library will continue to roll out its Winter Film Festival which is held each Thursday of December from 6-8 p.m. The next installment of the festival on Dec. 19, will chronicle “Estonia’s remarkable path to independence from Soviet rule through the power of song and peaceful resistance.” 

Lastly, the City Council presented findings from conducting its annual performance evaluation of the city administration. The administration received positive reviews across all evaluation areas with no areas for improvement cited. The review process included a 360-degree evaluation from direct reports, a self-review and individual counselor assessments.

“Thank you for all the hard work, James (Cleavenger) that you do here being not only involved inside this building but in the entire community. I think you are a true gem, and we are lucky to have you,” one council member said. 

The next City Council meeting is set to go ahead as scheduled at 6 p.m., Dec. 19, however an alternative date may be announced to accommodate observing the holiday period.