HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2024-03-18 Item 6 - Update - Asylum Seekers / MigrantsCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
Initials
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Mayor's review
Council review
03/18/24
PH
ITEM INFORMATION
ITEM No.
6
STAFF SPONSOR: ERIC DREVER
ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE:
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Update on Asylum Seekers at Riverton Park United Methodist Church
CATEGORY ® Discussion
Mtg Date 3/18/24
Motion
Mt Date
Resolution
Ilk Date
❑ Ordinance
Mtg Date
Bid Award
Mtg Date
❑ Public Hearing ❑ Other
Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR ❑ Council ❑ Mayor ❑ Admin Svcs ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ® P&R ® Police ❑ PW
SPONSOR'S
SUMMARY
The Council has requested an update on asylum seekers/migrants at the Riverton Park
United Methodist Church. The presentation covers what led up to the current situation at
the Church, the challenges the City has faced, actions taken, and the next steps.
REVIEWED BY
❑ Trans&Infrastructure Svcs
❑ LTAC
DATE:
Community Svcs/Safety ❑ Finance & Governance ❑ Planning & Community Dev.
❑ Arts Comm.
❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm.
COMMITTEE CHAIR:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN. Police Department/Parks and Rec
COMMITTEE Info only
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED
AMOUNT BUDGETED
APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
3/18/24
MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
3/18/24 Powerpoint presentation
63
64
Riverton Park United Methodist Church
Asylum Seekers Encampment
City Council Update
March 11, 2024
Pete Mayer, Director of Parks & Recreation
Chief Eric Dreyer, Police
Rev. Jan Bolerjack, RPUMC
How'd we get here?
• Major influx of asylum -seeker beginning
in early 2023 to Riverton Park
• Largely from word of mouth
• Resources for asylum -seekers are few
and limited
What is an asylee?
• Legally different than a refugee.
• An asylum -seeker is a person who has left their
country and is seeking protection from
persecution, but who hasn't yet been legally
recognized as a refugee. The process requires
them to apply and receive a decision on their
asylum claim.
• The process can often take years.
Site conditions & challenges
• Limited space in the church structure
• Sanitation & health concerns
• Public safety
• Lack of federal and state leadership
• Extreme weather (cold and hot)
• Limitations on housing options, ex: hote
funding
City of Tukwila's role
• Site is owned and operated by RPUMC
• City advises on conditions, site management
• Limited resources as a small city, larger
regional issue
• Focus on coalition -building and exploring
funding sources
City Actions
• Early 2023 - Informal assistance throughout 2023
• Fall 2023 - Emergency proclamation on Oct. 6,
2023
• Fall 2023 - Consultants hired for site assistance
(on site almost daily), public information
• Dec. 2023 - 100 hotel rooms provided via
partnership with King County
• Dec. 2023 - Draft encampment ordinance
considered, but no plans for action at this time
City Actions, Cont.
• Jan. 2024 - Cold weather hotel assistance
• Feb. 2024 - MOU signed with Riverton Park
• Feb./March 2024 - Large heated tent installed
• 2024— City support of HB 2368, recently passed
both houses
• Weekly meetings between RPUMC and City
representation. (Additional engagement as
needed)
• Weekly participation with Intergovernmental
Task Force on Asylum Seekers
• City funds spent to date: $220,000
14111611111114414.114144.4144%,
-
How can the community help?
• Urge state and federal legislator to take
action
leg.wa.gov
congress.gov/members
• Contact Riverton Park directly
RivertonParkUMC.com
(206) 246-1436
inquiries@rivertonparkumc.com
What's next?
• King County grant, announced on Feb. 27
• State funding via HB 2368
• Ongoing coalition building
• Work with RPUMC on meeting the criteria of the MOU with the City
• Limiting numbers on the site, improving conditions
• For the latest news & accurate info, please visit:
TukwilaWA.gov/asylee-encampment
QUESTIONS?