Port asks Nickelsville to leave, camp will 'stand'

The homeless encampment Nickelsville last week moved from its location on state owned property in South Park, after being ordered to vacate by the state transportation department, and set up camp on Port of Seattle owned Terminal 107, 4700 West Marginal Way.

But Port of Seattle officials have also ordered the camp off its property, citing legal reasons. But Nickelsville has announced it plans to stay on Port property despite the mandate to leave.

According to Nickelsville, the Port is seeking and unlawful detainer order, which will allow police to enter and evacuate the encampment at Terminal 107 Park. Nickelsville anticipates it will take the rest of this week for the Courts to process this.

Official response from the Nickelsville camp:

"Nickelsville goes on. Many have helped us make this opportunity to stay together and safe out of very little. Today's update focuses on how to keep Nickelsville safe from police action on its Permanent Site at Terminal 107.

Friday night, after a hard day of work getting the new location in shape, Nickelsville was visited near dusk by Port of Seattle Police. They asked everyone to come out, handed out ‘Notices to Vacate,' and requested the names of all who took them.

The ‘Notices’ were addressed to three different parties: Those on the site, Nickelsville Attorney Robert Siegel, and to ‘Nickelsville Agent the Reverend Michael Ramos.’ We kid you not. As most of you know, Michael Ramos is the Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. On behalf of the Church Council he has done an outstanding job of mediating and advocating for Nickelsville. But he and we recognize that does not make him the ‘Nickelsville Agent.’

The Port not understanding Mr Ramos's role is another example of Governments expecting Churches to solve the public problem of homelessness through social services. But the minute churches realize the solution to homelessness is a matter of justice, government usually tells them to shut up. That's what Mr Ramos is being asked to do today, in the same way the Interfaith Task Force, ROOTS, the Church Council and many others were treated by the City last fall – they were told to to knock it off or get fined.

Today, Sunday July 26, Nickelsville asks everyone, but particularly churches, to rise up and demand that the Port of Seattle stop threatening Nickelsville and work out a permanent home for Nickelsville. Tell them you will stand with us - if necessary - to prevent our ‘eviction.’

Friday's update included contact information for the Port Commissioners and Director. Please use it today – and encourage your religious community and your friends to do the same.

Following this (below) (read it here) is Nickelsville’s response to recent claims of the Port. It is long, but we thought many might find it useful. Sorry that we haven’t figured out how to do attachments yet.

Thank you!
Nickelsville

The Port of Seattle released the following statement on July 24:

"The Port of Seattle shares the concern for homeless citizens in our community. Regrettably, we are not able to accommodate the Nickelsville encampment's request to use port property When Nickelsville advocates approached the Port earlier this month, port staff worked in good faith to review their request and communicate with them about potential solutions.

"Legally, the Port has neither the authority in the housing area nor the ability to 'donate' property, as that would be contrary to state law for port authorities. In 2005, the Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO) examined the Port's expenditures to community organizations, and their December 2005 report found the "Port sometimes assists other organizations in the community or otherwise participates in community events in ways that are outside of its authority," which ultimately constitutes a prohibited gift of public funds.

"Among the improper expenditures cited was a contribution to the Housing Partnership. "Other local governments have the authority to provide services such as education, health and housing which are beneficial to the poor. However, such services are outside of those authorized by the Legislature for Washington State ports," the report said.

"In short, it is illegal for the Port of Seattle to provide this property for the encampment, and we will not disobey the law.

"In addition to the serious legal issues surrounding this occupation of Port property, Terminal 107 is in a shoreline habitat area with sensitive vegetation, and falls under constraints of city shoreline codes. These regulations bring additional usage concerns, especially with the site's lack of sanitation infrastructure and limited access to services.

"Port staff has communicated this information to Nickelsville advocates over the past week, both verbally and in written form. Ignoring this communication, Nickelsville residents have now occupied Terminal 107 without notice or permission, and are camping illegally on public property.

"The Nickelsville group will receive further trespassing notification today and their need to move to a location off port property. The Port of Seattle will initiate a legal process to support this move which is expected to take one week. Port staff will continue to work in good faith with the group and are hopeful that community members can join with the group in finding a more suitable and accommodating site."