Marquette commission postpones vote on ordinance that would restrict overnight use of public property

The Marquette City Commission on April 14 unanimously voted to postpone consideration of Ordinance 25-02, which would restrict overnight occupation of city-owned and city-controlled property, and directed city staff to revise the ordinance language before the commission’s May 27 meeting.

The ordinance, as drafted, would prohibit overnight sleeping on city property and allows police to remove people and dispose of tents, shelters and other items used for sleeping. Chelsea Wilkinson, executive director of Room at the Inn, told commissioners the draft is “vague and punitive” and would “disproportionately harm people who have no other safe place to go.”

The issue drew a large public turnout. More than a dozen residents, service providers and people with lived experience spoke during the public-comment period, urging the commission either to table the ordinance for more community input or…