Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Fort Smith revisits proposed ordinance on sleeping and camping on public property; sends draft to city attorney for revisions
Summary
City staff and directors debated a proposed ordinance modeled on Grants Pass, Ore., that would prohibit sleeping and camping on public property. Directors instructed City Attorney Colby Rowe to review and refine language to address vagueness and constitutional risk before the board considers it again.
The Fort Smith board reviewed a proposed ordinance that would prohibit sleeping and camping on sidewalks and other public property, a topic the board previously considered in December 2024 and again at a March 11 study session. Sean Gard, director of Neighborhood Services, summarized enforcement concerns and explained the city attorney had reviewed an alternate draft from Director Lee Kemp and warned that some language could be vulnerable to legal challenge as vague.
Gard said nuisance ordinances currently cover…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
