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Council advances two ordinances expanding city manager authority over parking and overnight camping for special events
Summary
The City Council advanced ordinances 35-55 and 35-56 to second reading and approved emergency clauses, giving the city manager authority to adjust parking time limits and authorize overnight camping during special events; the ordinances include an appeal to council and limits to prevent property damage.
The Stoner City Council on Feb. 10 voted 5-0 to advance two companion ordinances that give the city manager additional authority to manage parking and overnight camping during special events and approved emergency clauses for both measures.
Staff presented ordinance 35-55 to amend Chapter 29 (motor vehicles and traffic) to allow the city manager to “limit or extend existing established parking time limits” and to waive other parking restrictions during special events by placing appropriate signs. The office that presented the changes said it removed a referenced appeal to district court after an internal review found no state statute authorizing that step; an appeal to the city council remains available.
A companion bill, ordinance 35-56, amends Chapter 33 (parks, events and recreation) to permit the city manager to grant overnight camping in city parks and public areas during special events, unless doing so would cause damage to city property. Staff said the change is intended to provide flexibility for organizers of large events and to centralize designation of camping areas; staff also said designated areas will be clearly marked and publicized to event organizers and through city communications.
Council members asked about public messaging and prior uses of Couch Park; a councilor said communicating designated areas clearly is important so residents are not alarmed when they see camping during events. The council voted 5-0 to advance each ordinance to second reading and separately approved the emergency clauses by 5-0.
Under the ordinance language presented, the city manager’s actions would be subject to appeal to the city council; staff removed language referencing an appeal to district court after legal review. The emergency clauses, if enacted at second reading, would make the ordinances effective on publication to allow staff to designate parking or camping for imminent events.
