The City Council voted Monday to create a task force to study and recommend possible solutions to reduce the unsheltered homeless population in Bartlesville.
While reduction of the homeless population is the primary goal, secondary goals include reducing vandalism, littering, and other illegal acts associated with the unsheltered homeless population, and increasing confidence in public safety of and increase utilization of public spaces by addressing concerns linked to homelessness, and addressing public health concerns while improving conditions for unsheltered individuals.
The resolution creating the task force also specifies the members that are to be included on the task force. There will be 13 voting members and one non-voting staff liaison who meet the following criteria:
- City manager (or a designee)
- City Council member
- Ex-officio member of the Oklahoma House or Senate
- Mental health professional with experience serving Bartlesville’s unsheltered population
- Medical professional with experience serving Bartlesville’s unsheltered population
- Law enforcement official with experience addressing criminal and safety issues related to Bartlesville’s unsheltered population
- Nonprofit expert with experience serving Bartlesville’s local unsheltered population
- Church representative with experience serving Bartlesville’s local unsheltered population
- Local business owner whose place of business is adversely affected by Bartlesville’s unsheltered population
- Citizen whose primary residence is adversely affected by Bartlesville’s unsheltered population
- Representative from Bartlesville public school system who is familiar with the issues related to homelessness in our schools
- Person who has experienced homelessness in Bartlesville
- Veteran who is knowledgeable about homelessness among veterans
- At least one at-large representative with knowledge, training, or experience that is relevant to the task force’s mission
The task force will meet monthly for six months and is expected to report to the council every two months. To apply or for more information, email rebanes@cityofbartlesville.org or call 918.338.4282.
File photo courtesy of iStock