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Council and staff to review options after resident complaints about people camping near Scenic I area
Summary
Council members raised resident complaints about people congregating near Scenic I and asked staff and the police chief to review ordinance options and enforcement; staff said they have scheduled a meeting to evaluate possible measures but cautioned about constitutional limits.
City council members on July 21 raised resident concerns about people congregating near the Scenic I area and sought clarity on what the city could legally do to address safety and quality-of-life issues.
A council member said they had received emails alleging the presence of people overnight and asked what more the city could do beyond existing ordinances. City staff said they had drafted a proposed ordinance based on examples from other municipalities and that staff, including the police chief and city attorney (referred to in discussion), would meet later in the week to review options. Staff cautioned that constitutional rights would limit some enforcement options and said they did not want to raise false hopes because it was possible that the review would conclude that little could be legally done.
The police department reported it had contacted Peace Lutheran Church, which has posted rules regarding the times it opens its doors to people, and that officers will ask people to move along when complaints are received. Staff said they would take another look at options and report back to council; no ordinance was introduced or adopted at the meeting.
Council members asked staff to continue reviewing potential code changes and enforcement mechanisms and to report back with recommended next steps; staff scheduled a meeting to further examine model ordinances and enforcement implications.
