Sip Soup at the City Council Double Header: Stay-Aways & Performance Pens

809 Center St. In front of City Hall The protest and chow-down will take place outside City Council chambers.

Munch-about, Speak-out, and Make-It-Up-As-You Go outside City Council at 3 PM.

WARNING: The actual time when these items will appear on the Council's agenda is unclear and uncertain. If you want to be sure to be there for the "we hate to hear you, but we have to" Public Comment periods, come early and bring a blanket, pillow, and teddy bear. The Open Session meeting starts at 2 PM.

We'll be discussing how to react to the new ordinances, composing new songs to sing, and perhaps discussing legal alternatives.

Additionally Chef "Punch Back" Pat Colby has promised some Buck-Up Brownies and Cut-the-Crap coffee for those who keep falling asleep during the day because sleeping is illegal for the homeless at night.

City Council Agenda Items 16 (Exploding Stay Away Orders) and 19 (Performance Pens on Pacific Avenue) are due to be rubberstamped sometime after the Council meeting starts at 2 PM.

STAY AWAY-LAW

I've described the law:
"Nasty Anti-Homeless Stay-Away Laws to Get Exponentially Worse " at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/10/12/18762778.php

For articulate and well-reasoned opposition to the Stay-Away Orders Escalation, see:

"Stay-Away From Human Rights ! An Activist Examines the Escalating Stay-Away Orders Law" at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/10/25/18763326.php

"Local ACLU Issues Stong Statement in Opposition to "Stay Away" Ordinance"at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/10/24/18763274.php

"Time to Step Up and Fight City Hall on “Stay Away” Ordinanc" at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/10/22/18763162.php

PERFORMANCE PENS

This law expands from 12 square feet to 24 square feet the performing/vending/tabling room on Pacific Ave. in any one space.

It also marks with dots on the sidewalk the "allowed" areas (which still amount to less than 2% of the sidewalk). And ir requires only certain activities happen on certain parts of the sidewalk (performance, vending and tabling, or all three).

An apparent additional consequence is to severely lessen the space for panhandlers and sitters.

In addition the notorious Move-Along-Every-Hour law remains in place.

This is the first reading of the law--which has had no prior public hearing where the real stakeholders could assemble and give their views in a meaningful way. Don Lane has been privately assembling information along with staffer Julie Hende.

There will be a second, final, and likely slamdunk reading of the law in two weeks.

The staff report, maps, ordinance, and resolution can all be found on line at http://scsire.cityofsantacruz.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=570&doctype=AGENDA .


ADDITIONAL ITEM ON RESTORING THE RIGHT TO AUDIO RECORD WITHOUT ARREST OR CONFISCATION

Item B4 of the Closed Session and 9d of the Open Session Consent Agenda concerns my financial claim against the
City for falsely arresting me on April 1st for replacing my audio recorder in its traditional place.

Council's SCPD guard Sgt. John Bush has continued to confiscate my recording device at each subsequent meeting. This happens if I leave it to check the agenda, go to the bathroom, stand at the side of the room, or interview someone outside. He will likely do so again at this meeting.

See "Video of the False Arrest at Santa Cruz City Council for Audio Recording on April 1" at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/05/03/18755258.php

If you want to comment on this item at Closed Session, go to the City Council Conference Room behind the Chambers at 1 PM for the open interval. You may have to knock loudly to get in. You will also not be told to leave during the subsequent discussion.

The issue will arise again when the City Attorney reports the rejection of the claim on the Consent Agenda at Open Session where brief comment is allowed.