Unsheltered Homeless Task Force

UNSHELTERED HOMELESS TASK FORCE
Created by Resolution 3722 on November 4, 2024

The Task Force was created to address the rise in unsheltered homelessness and associated issues in the City of Bartlesville. The task force term shall be for six months, reporting bi-monthly (every two months) to the City Council, and shall meet at least monthly during this term. The task force shall devise solutions through collaboration with local agencies that are balanced, compassionate, evidence-based, and fiscally responsible, with a focus on improving outcomes for both the unsheltered population and the broader community. The task force shall identify strategies and, if necessary potential funding sources that are focused on: Primary Goal-Reduction in the unsheltered homeless population in Bartlesville; Secondary Goals– i. Reduce vandalism, littering, and other illegal acts associated with the unsheltered homeless population, ii. increase confidence in public safety of and increase utilization of public spaces by addressing concerns linked to homelessness, and iii. address public health concerns while improving conditions and outcomes for unsheltered individuals; Tertiary Goal: Determine the value of an ongoing committee once the task force accomplishes its purpose and make an appropriate recommendation.

There will be 13 voting members and one non-voting member appointed by the City Council as follows: a. City manager or designee (non-voting staff liaison), b. one City Council member, c. One ex-officio member of OK Hour or Senate, d. One mental health professional with experience serving Bartlesville’s unsheltered population, e. one medical professional with experience serving Bartlesville’s unsheltered population, f. one law enforcement official with experience addressing criminal and safety issues related to Bartlesville’s unsheltered population, g. one nonprofit expert with experience serving Bartlesville’s local unsheltered population, h. one church representative with experience serving Bartlesville’s local unsheltered population, i. one local business owner who place of business is adversely affected by Bartlesville’s unsheltered population, j. one citizen whose primary residence is adversely affected by Bartlesville’s unsheltered population, k. one representative from Bartlesville school system who is familiar with the issues related to homelessness in our schools, l. one person who has experienced homelessness in Bartlesville, m. one veteran who is knowledgeable about homelessness among veterans, and n. at least one at-large representative with knowledge, training, or experience that is relevant to the task force’s mission. Meetings will be held as needed  at City Hall, and this task force is an official time-limited committee.

Membership pending:

City Council Representative
Aaron Kirkpatrick