Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg
FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioner Michelle Turnberg’s new plan to address homelessness as temperatures drop was rejected by the commission.
“Operation Safe Fargo” was defeated 3-2, with Turnberg’s only support coming from Commissioner Dave Piepkorn.
Turnberg’s proposal would have outlawed homeless camping on any city property and offered people found camping a bus ticket to their hometown or city of choice. It would have also turned the Fargo Civic Center into an emergency shelter, and redirected funding for the warming program at Fargo Cass Public Health to the shelter.
A number of people spoke out against the proposal with one man even using profanity to express his dislike of Turnberg’s ideas.
There was also some sparring between commissioners.
“I know you’ve talked with somebody who has a bible and a constitution, and someone from Palm Springs, but I don’t know if you’ve talked with our harm reduction people. They’re the ones providing these services,” Commissioner John Strand said.
“At least I’m bringing an idea. If I hadn’t brought this, what would we be debating tonight,” Turnberg replied.
Mayor Tim Mahoney says 70 organizations are working to address housing issues and prevent cold weather deaths.
Mahoney says an alternative plan will be unveiled at the next commission meeting in two weeks.
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