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Salem council adopts amended camping ordinance after public objections and a shelter-defined clarification
Summary
The Salem City Council approved second-passage adoption of an amended camping ordinance on May 8, 2025, adding language that ties conduct-based exclusions to shelters' determinations; the amendment will be re-advertised per city clerk.
The Salem City Council adopted, on second passage, an amendment to the city's camping ordinance (chapter 24, section 31) after public testimony opposing increased enforcement and a council amendment clarifying how "behavior" is defined for shelter admission.
The measure, moved for adoption by Councilor Cohen, was amended on the council floor to read that "an individual's behavior preventing admission to an otherwise available shelter, as defined by the shelter, shall not be considered an unavailability of shelter." Councilor Morcillo moved the amendment and Councilor Watson Feld seconded; the amendment passed and the ordinance was adopted as amended. The city clerk said the amended language will be re-advertised before finalization.
The change followed multiple public commenters who urged the council to reject or change the amendment to the anti-camping ordinance. Ryan Valentine told the council he would not expect his remarks to change votes but criticized the proposal, saying the council had "tried to pass the buck to others in state and federal government" and that the city has the power to say no. Caitlin Tracomi said increasing police power "to displace people with no offer of shelter or available list of shelters will push people farther and further away from resources and their community." Kelly Jay urged the council to avoid broad "behavior" language without qualifiers and suggested adding a limiting phrase tied to shelter determinations.
Council discussion focused on refining the ordinance language so the determination about admission is not made by the city but by shelters themselves. Councilor Watzenfeld and others supported the amendment as a clarification consistent with prior intent. The council approved the ordinance "as amended"; no roll-call tally was recorded on the floor motion beyond the chair's announcement that the matter carried. The city clerk said the amended ordinance will be re-advertised, consistent with second-passage procedure.
The ordinance amends local camping rules; the council did not adopt new shelter funding or create a new shelter in tonight's action. Officials noted the change only clarifies how shelter availability is judged and does not assign shelter operations to the city.
The amended text will return for any required follow-up after the advertising period.
