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Council discussed encampment ordinance; Chief Arnold outlined warning and services approach
Summary
An encampment ordinance was on the council agenda and the chief outlined steps officials expect to take before enforcing removals, including warnings, written permission for private property and offering services; no vote or ordinance text was recorded in the meeting recap.
During a meeting recap, city officials said an encampment ordinance was among several ordinances on the agenda and that the police chief spoke about enforcement procedures.
Councilor Lisa Ford summarized remarks by Chief Arnold, saying the city does not want individuals to set up tents on public playing fields and that officers would follow a sequence before removal: confirm whether a person has written permission to be on private property, issue warnings when on city property, allow time to gather belongings and offer services to those experiencing homelessness.
Ford said the ordinance requires written permission for occupying private property and that city staff maintain a list of service providers to offer assistance. “They have to have written permission,” Ford said of anyone on private property, and she added the city will provide warnings and services when individuals are located on city property.
The meeting recap did not include the ordinance’s full text, a mover/second, or a recorded vote. The audio indicated the item was on the agenda and that Chief Arnold spoke, but no adoption or rejection was stated in the recording. The city directed listeners to the agendas and minutes page on the city website for more information and for the official record of any ordinance action.
