Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Astoria public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in public safety
Homelessness and 11th Street Camps
Residents split sharply: business owners and nearby residents want existing camping and nuisance ordinances enforced and repeat offenders held accountable, while others argue homelessness shouldn't be criminalized and services need to be more trauma-informed and individualized. A work session on the city's homelessness response followed the meeting.
Coast Guard City Designation
Astoria is renewing its Coast Guard City status, first earned in 2011. The designation honors the deep ties between the community and Coast Guard members, who serve as neighbors, mentors, and part of the local workforce.
2026 Emergency Operations Plan
The city now has a current playbook for disasters, mostly paid for by a county grant. It's mostly an internal document, though officials will give presentations to community groups.
Police Use-of-Force Incident Raises Concerns
Two speakers raised an incident in which a man suffered a skull fracture and lost an eye during an encounter with police. Mary Yang urged crisis-response training and officer wellness supports; Matthew Miller questioned the officer's conduct directly.
Fire and life safety standards for rentals
Sprinkler requirements kick in for commercial buildings with any sleeping use, which is costly and hard to navigate in Astoria's historic building stock. Staff wants to clarify when codes apply and allow more building-official flexibility.
Homeless Liaison Position
The council advanced the camping-code piece of its homeless-response strategy and hired toward a homeless liaison. The ordinance makes a shelter-first policy explicit and creates enforcement tools, while neighbors remain divided about how the 72-hour trespass works.
Senate Bill 48 and behavioral-health response
Council wants to keep SB 48 reform on the radar — a recent 911 case where the caller's threat didn't result in jail raised local concerns — and is framing the mental-health priority as 'enhancements to the behavioral-health response system.'
Camping Code Amendments
Trash cans between the museum and 39th Street overflow on busy weekends, and tents near the Riverwalk draw complaints. The city's updated camping ordinance takes effect mid-July with new enforcement tools.
Enforcement Coordination with Circuit Court
Council has wanted a bigger conversation with the Circuit Court, Sheriff, and District Attorney about enforcing city standards, and the Chamber of Commerce agreed to host a public forum on it.
Downtown Public Safety Concerns
A downtown business owner told the council an 11-year-old was afraid to enter his arcade, and his letter about safety drew hundreds of Facebook comments. He's asking the city to schedule a public forum quickly.
Community-Based Shelter Program
The city will partner with nonprofits, businesses and faith groups to host up to three micro-shelter sites (three spaces each) as part of Shelter First. Council voted to leave vehicle camping out of the program for now.
LiFEBoat Shelter Conditions
A resident reported problems at the LiFEBoat shelter — short showers, disability access issues, and safety concerns — and called for more shelter options for women, couples, and people with disabilities or pets. A state mediation is set for August.
Camping near the fuel corridor
A resident read a formal complaint alleging open flames and smoking near the Fifth Street/Marine Drive petroleum facilities create a serious fire risk, and asked for an inspection and safety buffer.
Fire Department Grants and Equipment
Firefighters' 20-year-old breathing air system is failing and parts are unavailable, so the city will apply for a federal grant to replace it (about $21,000 city match). A no-match wildfire staffing grant application was also approved.
Accessibility and Disability Awareness
Resident Mary Eng urged the council to keep sidewalks, shelters, libraries and other public facilities accessible and disability-friendly, drawing on her family's experience with disability.
TSAC Response Policy and Protocol
City staff walked the committee through the new protocol Council adopted December 15 for how traffic safety complaints reach the committee — a form, staff-level review first, and data-driven standards. Fatalities and serious injuries now automatically go on the agenda.
Landslide Emergency Evacuation
A landslide in Astoria has pushed residents out of their homes, raising immediate questions about neighborhood safety and whether the city can respond effectively. The situation is still developing, so the key concerns are evacuation support, damage assessment, and how quickly the city can protect people and property.