Commissioners place urban camping inquiry in suspension after business owners and residents describe camps and trash

Commissioners voted to hold in suspension for two months a request from Commissioner Trudy Healy to refer urban camping on public streets to the Judiciary Committee and the County Attorney’s Office to develop an ordinance. The suspension gives staff time to meet with Commissioner Healy and review current ordinances before the committee pursues specific drafting or a public hearing.

Trudy Healy, the sponsor of communication number 202-5374, told the committee she preferred suspension rather than filing so that citizens who wish to speak at Judiciary can still do so. Ann Ruth, County Attorney, recommended placing the matter on file while she meets with the commissioner and reviews existing ordinances; commissioners discussed the difference between ‘‘on file’’ and ‘‘in suspension’’ and whether public comment would be affected.

Two members of the public described the effects they say local camping has had on businesses and trails. Denise Kelly, owner of a REMAX office at 1341 Harrison Avenue, said groups sleeping on her property left garbage and human waste, forced her to remove landscaping at her own expense and that one person who panhandled nearby had a lengthy criminal record. Kelly said she spent $2,500 to remove bushes and that graffiti and property damage occurred behind her building. She asked the council for help, saying those behaviors had hurt her business.

Jeff Beckett, who gave his address as 1201 Taft Street, described repeated camping and trashing of a scenic trail area near Centennial and a tunnel under the interstate that he and others use for recreation. Beckett said he observed a vehicle (a blue Chevrolet S-10 with a topper) associated with a recurring camp, and that the site had been left with a mattress and other debris. He said he and others donate to the homeless shelter but object to use of public spaces as dumps.

Commissioner Callahan and others said they have received multiple complaints about camps in tunnels and along trails and emphasized that the committee’s intent is not to criminalize homelessness but to find places for people to live and to address repeated criminal behavior and trespass. Commissioner Anderson suggested the committee could schedule a public hearing, which would be advertised and allow a larger set of speakers to present testimony before the committee works on ordinance language. The committee adopted an amended motion to hold the communication in suspension for two months so staff can meet and gather additional information.

Discussion versus action: the record shows public comment and direction to the county attorney to meet with Commissioner Healy; the formal recorded action was to place the communication in suspension for two months. No ordinance text was presented or adopted at this meeting.