Post Falls council tables draft ordinance on obstruction of city operations after concerns about breadth

A proposed ordinance to criminalize obstruction or disruption of city government operations was the meeting's most contested item on Nov. 19. Staff described the measure as a rewrite to clarify what constitutes interference with city "officers," proposing that the definition include city employees beyond police and add criminal enforcement options for obstructive conduct.

Several councilors said the draft's language — which includes intentionally resisting, delaying, obstructing, interrupting or hindering performance of city duties and covers harassment or threats — is too broad. One councilor asked whether commonplace acts (for example, standing in front of machinery or disputing a contractor working on private property) could be swept into the ordinance as an "automatic misdemeanor."

Mark Brownell, representing the police department, and staff said state code already covers police officers and that the draft seeks to give prosecutors a tool for incidents that physically impede city employees (Brownell cited cases of persons lying in front of a snowplow). Staff said the city prosecutor reviewed the draft but council asked for specific instances that prompted the changes and for a narrower redline.

After discussion, Councilor 4 moved to table the ordinance to a future meeting; the motion passed unanimously. Staff will return with clearer language, prosecutor input and concrete examples of incidents the ordinance is intended to address.

The council did not vote on penalties or adopt the draft at this meeting.