Poole resigns as public works director

Kevin Poole has resigned from his public works director position with the city of Clarkston.

Mayor Monika Lawrence made the brief announcement at Monday night’s council meeting, which also featured a discussion about the homeless encampment near Walmart.

Poole, who has been on paid administrative leave since Oct. 24, turned in his resignation to the city attorney Wednesday, an official said after the meeting. He was placed on leave for allegedly modifying a plan without the approval of the engineer who created it, according to a previous statement issued by Lawrence.

Poole, a former Lewiston mayor and city councilor, worked as a Clarkston department head for six years. To date, he has not spoken publicly about the allegations or his resignation.

In other city business, Clarkston resident Wendy Geiger addressed the lack of sanitation facilities at the homeless encampment near the 500 block of Fair Street.

Clarkston officials have said providing portable toilets on the 10th Street right of way property would be a liability, according to the city’s insurers. Geiger said the lack of bathrooms has become a critical issue that needs immediate attention.

Other cities have been held liable for the health and well-being of homeless individuals, Geiger said, citing several legal cases.

“While recognizing the need for adequate sanitation at the homeless encampment, it’s essential to acknowledge that retail stores should not bear the burden of providing bathrooms to nonpaying customers or those trespassed from their premises,” Geiger said. “Sanitation is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right.”

The lack of proper facilities endangers the 40 or more people living there, and also poses risks to the broader community, particularly the 19 backyards within 300 feet of where children live and play, Geiger said.

“I urge each of you to consider the legal obligations, the humanitarian imperative, and the practical benefits of allowing the donation of porta-potties to the local homeless camp,” she said.

City attorney Todd Richardson said he’s not seen any legal cases that say cities must provide sanitation facilities to homeless camps on public land. The issue is a policy decision that the City Council will have to address, he said.

“The homeless problem is not going to go away,” Richardson said, and Asotin County, the city of Lewiston and Nez Perce County should be working together on a solution.

The homeless problem shouldn’t be put on one entity, Richardson said. If the camp becomes a place that attracts even more people, it will have a negative effect on local businesses, reduce sales tax revenue that pays for services, and create a “real bad financial mess for the whole valley.”

Lawrence said the city receives no funding from the state for homeless issues. Asotin County Commissioner Brian Shinn said any money the county receives is directed to Quality Behavioral Health, and a Homeless Task Force with representatives from various entities meets regularly.

Councilor Skate Pierce asked whether a private organization or individual could donate portable toilets to the site.

Clerk Steve Austin said it’s not in the city’s best interest to encourage such a move because of the potential liability, and the temporary camp is not meant to be a permanent solution. Community partners need to come up with a long-term plan.

“No one needs to be living on a street right of way behind Walmart,” Austin said. “They need a place to go.”

During a public hearing on the 2024 budget, no one from the audience offered a comment. However, the city received an email from Thomas Ledgerwood in opposition to “the failure to provide any funding for the replacement of trees on Sixth Street.”

Ledgerwood said 93% of downtown businesses support restoring the trees that were removed by the city, if an appropriate type can be found.

“The street is hot and uninviting without the shade of trees,” Ledgerwood wrote. “Other cities are planting trees to make their downtowns more inviting. We need to do the same.”

The budget will be finalized next month, along with any rate increases. Austin said the only rate hike proposed for next year is a 5% bump for sanitation, based on the rising price of fuel and cost of living expenses.

Copies of the budget are available at City Hall, 829 Fifth St. The lobby is open from noon to 2 p.m. while remodeling of the building is completed.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.