ALAMOSA — The Alamosa City Council took on several issues during Wednesday night’s meeting, including consideration of implementing new rules and consequences for people living at St. Benedict, the homeless encampment in Alamosa; an ordinance change to allow commercial space downtown to be used as the new location for both an alternative and an online high school, and another ordinance change to support Alamosa in becoming part of a Dark Sky Reserve.
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ALAMOSA — The Alamosa City Council took on several issues during Wednesday night’s meeting, including consideration of implementing new rules and consequences for people living at St. Benedict, the homeless encampment in Alamosa; an ordinance change to allow commercial space downtown to be used as the new location for both an alternative and an online high school, and another ordinance change to support Alamosa in becoming part of a Dark Sky Reserve.
Aaron Miltenberger, CEO and president of Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley, said, “A community who’s doing the right thing has people show up and debate and win their opinions before decisions are made. There are a lot of topics out here tonight that are important to our community. From high school coalitions to homeless camp to ordinances about schools. You’re doing good work, and it shows when the community comes out and gets involved.”
The first issue on the table related to amending an ordinance in respect to lighting, proposed in pursuit of Alamosa becoming compliant – either in full or in part – with requirements that must be met for designation by DarkSky International.
The topic has been discussed in several meetings with both city council and the planning commission, and the council had two options from which to choose. One option would be to implement significant measures to limit and direct light emitted by homes and businesses at night. That option had been met with resistance around curfews and signage. The second option would not achieve designation but was more flexible and did not address the more controversial standards.
Dani Robbins of San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!), spoke in support of seeking designation by DarkSky International as she has at multiple meetings. “I’ve spoken to hundreds of people in the community who support the designation, she said. It’s not just a “feel good” endeavor but it also has health benefits, economic benefits and reduces energy consumption.”
While each member of council spoke in support of protecting nighttime skies and the Sangre de Cristo Dark Sky Reserve, the vote was ultimately to go with the less restrictive option in changing the lighting code.
The next topic related to ongoing negotiations between the city and Alamosa School District (ASD) regarding the purchase of a building downtown for the Alternative High School and the OnLine High School. The question at hand related to ordinance variances regulating the sale of liquor and proximity to the school.
Assistant ASD Superintendent Luis Murillo told the council he had traveled to other districts and seen other alternative schools – how they looked, how they felt, the outcomes they produced. “Why not us?” he asked. “Why not our school? Why not our community?” Superintendent Jones followed him with the statement “strong schools make strong communities.”
The council was unanimous in voting to pass one ordinance but questions remained about the second. Ultimately, that ordinance passed unanimously, as well, but with the note that further discussions would be held during the second reading.
The third, and perhaps most controversial, issue of the night related to a motion before the council to establish new and more stringent rules at St. Benedict, the homeless encampment on the south side of Alamosa. All of the rules – ranging from cleanliness to pets to bullying to actively engaging in services – carried a contingency that, should residents of the camp not abide by the rules, there was the possibility of trespassing.
Those who spoke in disagreement with the rules essentially opposed the short time limit residents were given to transition into housing. The current rule stated that the limit to stay at the camp was six months; one extension would be allowed but only if significant progress was being seen in transitioning to a more stable and secure place to live.
Concerns were expressed about the magnitude of such a requirement with people who were experiencing multiple challenges at multiple levels. Several individuals asked council to change the six-month rule and make it longer. Another individual brought up her own experience with finding housing, which took 4 months, and she had none of the issues people at St. Benedict experience.
Alamosa resident Amanda Pearson spoke of loving downtown and praising the outcome, which she attributes to establishing goals and bringing in experts. She then advocated for the same process be applied to city council when making decisions about the homeless and the people La Puente works with.
“Establish goals,” she said. “Bring in the experts. Don’t hurt yourselves. Be informed before making a decision.”
After additional explanations and discussion, the council voted in favor of the motion without amendments. However, that should not imply the situation is resolved as further questions, including one about a potential second shelter, are on the horizon.
After such a dynamic but extremely productive meeting, the council’s passage of one of the largest budgets in recent memory and a 4% pay raise for employees almost seemed anti-climatic. Nonetheless, both passed on second reading.