Officials endorse QR-code donor signs and praise outreach work to reduce panhandling hazards

City leaders discussed a proposal to install non-DOT signs that would both warn panhandlers about traffic hazards and direct would-be donors to donate through QR codes linked to vetted nonprofits.

During the pre-meeting, council members and the mayor described two separate sign goals: public-safety messaging to dissuade people from entering roadways and QR-code messaging that routes donations to nonprofit service providers. "I'm in love with that idea," the mayor said when members proposed QR-code donation signs and said staff is reviewing which 501(c)(3) to direct donations toward. He also highlighted recent work by the homeless outreach team, saying their approach was "addressing this issue in a compassionate way but a way that has permanent solutions."

Council members credited staff and community partners for recent outreach that reduced an encampment near the Moffett Street exit. Several members urged quick movement on the signs' design and funding, noting the signs could include simple safety language aimed at preventing risky roadway behavior and a QR code to channel donations to service providers instead of cash. Council members said the signs would be small, city-designed fixtures (non-DOT) and asked staff to identify nonprofits that would receive donations and to return with design proposals.