Lancaster council adopts urgency ordinance to expedite cleanups of encampments near critical infrastructure

The Lancaster City Council on an 3-0 vote on an urgency ordinance to declare a local emergency related to impacts of homelessness on critical infrastructure and to accelerate procurement and cleanup work around drainage channels and other at-risk sites.

City staff told the council the ordinance would allow the city to implement protective measures such as temporary fencing and grates more quickly than the standard procurement process. The staff report said the city had cleaned up 575 encampments in a roughly 6-square-mile corridor since the prior ordinance took effect, removing 1,196 tons of debris and responding to 71 fires associated with encampments in that area.

The vote was taken after more than an hour of public comment during which clergy, faith-based organizations and residents urged rapid action and said the ordinance would protect children and parks. Several speakers emphasized compassion and the need for coordinated services in addition to cleanup. Others urged the council to ensure existing rules were being followed before cutting procurement or due-process steps.

Vice Mayor Christ introduced the item and framed the ordinance as a balance between helping people and protecting public safety and infrastructure. City staff said the urgency measure would temporarily relax certain procurement standards to allow faster contracting for fencing and channel protection ahead of the next rainy season.

A coalition of pastors and representatives from Lancaster Baptist Church and other faith-based organizations spoke in favor, describing repeated incidents of encampments near playgrounds, athletic fields and public walkways and urging expedited action. One speaker representing a church offered the volunteer support of dozens of parishioners for cleanups and follow-up services.

Opponents and several speakers who identified as people with lived experience of homelessness questioned whether existing city ordinance 1112 (the city's critical infrastructure ordinance from the prior year) was already sufficient and expressed concern about short notice removals, impound practices and potential criminal penalties. Commenters asked for data on how notice is given, how impounded property is handled, and whether the city was following its own impound and notice procedures.

Council discussion emphasized a paired approach of cleanup and outreach. The city manager and staff said the city is coordinating with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), law enforcement and faith-based partners and has scheduled a large coordinated cleanup for October 4. The manager said the intent is to avoid leaving people without options by arranging placements and referral pathways when encampments are cleared.

The motion to adopt the urgency ordinance passed unanimously with three yes votes; Council members Molly and Mayor Perez were absent, and the record shows a quorum of members present. City staff reported at the meeting that closed-session items had been handled and no reportable action from closed session was required.

The ordinance takes effect immediately as an urgency measure; staff said follow-up reports and procurement details will be brought back to the council and that cleanups will be paired with outreach and placement efforts where possible.

Ending: The city scheduled a major cleanup in early October and said it would coordinate contractors, faith-based volunteers, the sheriff's office and LAHSA for placement and services; staff also committed to providing data on notices and impound activity to council upon request.