Joanne Danko and Margo Pierce told the Melbourne City Council on Aug. 26 that the city’s 2014 large-group feeding ordinance is outdated and unevenly enforced, and asked council to clarify where people experiencing homelessness should go while Providence Place shelter is being built.

The speakers said the ordinance and permit rules limit permitted feeding hours to “4 to 5” at certain parks and that Parks staff have allowed feeding groups to occupy Riverview Park at other hours. “The ordinance is overdue for review,” Joanne Danko said during public comment. “What was good in 2014 is not suitable for 2025.”

The comments came during the meeting’s public-comment period and focused on three related concerns: the ordinance’s hours and site list, inconsistent enforcement of permit terms, and lack of a coordinated interim plan to serve people experiencing homelessness while Providence Place is under construction.

Why it matters: Residents pressed council for clear, enforceable rules and for a strategy to reduce displacement and neighborhood impacts as the city waits for a 100-bed shelter (Providence Place) to open. Speakers said a single new shelter will not meet local need and asked for interim options such as centralized resource locations, showers or “shower boxes,” and better coordination of mobile outreach.

Council and staff responses: Council did not adopt any ordinance at the meeting. A council member noted that on July 22 a task was assigned to the city attorney to review the ordinance’s process for amendment; the speaker did not identify themselves in the transcript and that remark is reported unattributed. City staff told council they are actively researching the issue and planned to bring a discussion item back to council in September. At the end of the meeting the city manager’s office said staff “have taken council’s July 22 direction on large group feedings” and are preparing materials for a future meeting.

Details and context: Residents argued Riverview Park is effectively two smaller parks (each a little over seven acres) and said permit holders had left trash and camping in recent weeks. Margo Pierce suggested the ordinance’s permitted hours and the list of parks should be reviewed because only two parks currently permit 4–5 p.m. feeding, which may push groups to Riverview in the evenings when working people are available to receive meals.

What council directed or decided: No ordinance change was adopted on Aug. 26. Staff presented that an attorney review is already underway (tasked earlier in July) and said staff will return with an item for council consideration in September. No vote was taken on new restrictions or enforcement changes at this meeting.

Looking ahead: Staff indicated a report or discussion item would be scheduled for the council’s September meeting cycle so members can consider ordinance text changes, enforcement practices, and interim service options while Providence Place is built.