The city of Redmond has given 72-hour notice to people living outdoors near city infrastructure that crews plan to clean out the property in order to retain access to a city well and reservoir.

According to city officials, about a dozen cars and RVs are at the property off 11th Street and Antler Ave in east Redmond. They are parked on both sides of the roadway. Trash and additional property, like barbecues and chicken coops, are blocking access.

“The goal isn’t to displace people … It’s to clean it up,” said Keith Leitz, city attorney at the Oct. 25 council meeting. “We can go through and clean it up and make it accessible so our water trucks can get to the well and things like that.”

Crews said they plan only to clear out garbage and extra vehicles. Because the city has no available shelter space, they are not legally allow to remove vehicles that people sleep and live in.

Councilor Krisanna Scott Endicott asked if if the city could charge a fee to people who had their belongings impounded. City staff told her that is not legal. 

Mayor George Endicott wondered why the city does not declare a “state of emergency” in the city due to homelessness.

“If this is a public safety hazard, which it sounds like it is — we cannot get to the critical city services — then I’m of the belief that the city manager could declare a state of emergency,” he said.

Redmond Chief of Police Devin Lewis said officers have informed people at the site of the proposed cleanup. A time has not yet been set, and city officials said it would not be one immediate action, but likely stretch out over days and weeks.

In other council actions:

— Council received an update on funding for a redesign of the Highway 97 project south of downtown. ODOT has applied for multiple fundraising sources for the project to rebuild the paved section from Veterans to Yew Avenue, which is among the worst quality pavement on the entire stretch of Highway 97 in Oregon. The project to replace and widen the roadway, add a median to remove left turns, and add a shared bicycle/pedestrian path alongside. The timeframe for the project — likely with a cost of more than $100 million — is dependent on when and if city, state and federal grants are secured. It is not likely to begin construction in the next three years.

— Council approved using alternative contracting methods for construction of the Redmond public safety facility and the Redmond Airport terminal expansion. City staff argued the a construction manager can help hire and communicate with contractors and make sure the project stays on budget.

— Approved resolutions to adopt Redmond snow and ice control plans, as well as resolutions to new outdoor burning rules and new fire codes.

— The annual Crab Crack fundraiser is set to return to downtown Redmond on Feb. 5, 2023.

— Regular city council meetings have been canceled for both Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Tuesday, Nov. 8. Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15.