Shelton council reviews new public-camping ordinance language, directs staff to draft enforcement policies

Shelton City Council members and staff spent a May 27 study session reviewing a revised public-camping ordinance and how the city would enforce it if adopted, with staff emphasizing legal risks, costs and the need for written policies before enforcement proceeds.

The discussion centered on a new draft ordinance and a recommendation that the city manager or designee develop administrative policies and procedures that would guide law enforcement and other staff on citations, removal and handling of personal property. Mark Ziegler, the city—s team manager, described the typical enforcement contact: "the individual will be contacted in person, advised of the public camping ordinance, and given the opportunity to voluntarily leave," and said officers could issue citations or make arrests if individuals refused to vacate.

City attorneys warned that litigation risk now looks different than it did after earlier cases such as Martin v. Boise, and they discussed more recent rulings including the Grants Pass litigation and a May 15 King County Superior Court opinion upholding Burien—s ordinance. Kathleen, the city attorney, told the council…