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Sioux Falls council advances ordinance to restrict public encampments after adding outreach, storage and notice requirements
Summary
After hours of public comment, the City Council approved second reading of an ordinance restricting certain structures in public places, added an amendment requiring service-provider engagement, 24-hour notice for removal of unoccupied dwellings and coordination of up to 60 days’ storage; the measure moves to final consideration on Aug. 19.
Sioux Falls City Council members advanced an ordinance to prohibit certain structures in public places after adopting amendments that add outreach and storage protections for people living in encampments.
The council voted 8-0 on Aug. 12 to adopt the ordinance as amended and then voted 8-0 to send the item to a final (third) reading, scheduled for Aug. 19, for possible adoption.
The amendment introduced by Councilor Rich McCuris requires city staff to (1) engage a service provider before issuing a violation notice, (2) provide 24-hour notice before removing an unoccupied dwelling so occupants have an opportunity to recover belongings, and (3) coordinate a storage option for personal property for up to 60 days during transitions. McCuris said those three elements were modeled on practices in Des Moines and Spokane and intended “to reflect the complexity of the situation and put processes in place.”
The ordinance and amendments drew extensive public comment Monday night.…
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