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Residents press council on enforcement of park camping rules, seek storage and signage ahead of ordinance rollout
Summary
Multiple residents urged Fairfax Town Council to enforce its anti-camping ordinance at Town Park and to clarify storage, signage and police enforcement responsibilities as the town prepares to implement new rules.
Several Fairfax residents used public comment at the Feb. 5 council meeting to press for enforcement and clarity around the town's anti-camping ordinance and related park rules.
John Fox, a resident who said he has been experiencing homelessness in the county for many years, told the council he had been "talked into signing some paperwork" related to a potential lawsuit and asked the town to record that he did not want to be part of any action. "I want absolutely nothing to do with that," he said, asking the town to respect his wishes.
Other speakers asked whether the town manager would be responsible for enforcing municipal code in the park and what would happen if required enforcement steps were not taken. Todd Greenberg, a downtown business owner, asked pointedly, "I want to confirm ... that it is the town manager that is responsible for enforcing the town's municipal code here in Fairfax. And what are the consequences of her not doing that job?" Several speakers urged the council to hold staff accountable and to make enforcement actions transparent.
Neighbors asked practical questions about logistics tied to a potential ban or limits on camping: whether storage containers for campers' belongings are ready, whether signage had been produced and placed, and how the town would handle personal property left in the park. Multiple residents said they had not seen storage containers or signs and asked staff for updates.
Council discussion noted that the town clerk's office has a role in permitting park uses, and the council raised distinctions between determining code requirements and day-to-day enforcement (police and staff responsibilities). Several commenters urged stricter application of Robert's Rules of Order and the Brown Act in council processes but tied those concerns to enforcement and transparency rather than directly to the camping rules themselves.
No formal council action to change enforcement policy or to adopt new operational steps was taken at the meeting; residents were told the topic would be handled through the town's ongoing agenda/administrative processes and that staff could provide further updates in follow-up meetings.
Why it matters: The park camping/encampment issue has been a recurrent public concern in Fairfax. Residents framed enforcement as a public-safety and property-protection issue affecting park-users, children and the downtown environment. Council members indicated they would respond with updates and possible procedural follow-up in future meetings.
