Libby council adopts package of public-conduct and parking ordinances

The Libby City Council approved a package of ordinances on second reading that add or revise chapters in Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Safety) covering aggressive solicitation (Ordinance 2045), public urination and defecation (Ordinance 2046), camping and storage of personal property (Ordinance 2047), and parking-violation reclassification (Ordinance 2048).

During public comment, residents questioned the need for new local ordinances where state law exists and asked for clearer drafting. One commenter pointed out that state law already prohibits indecent exposure and similar conduct and asked why the city was adding overlapping rules. Another commenter asked that the word "ways" in draft language be changed to "rights of way" for clarity; the council accepted that amendment and the revised language was incorporated before the vote.

Ordinance 2048 converts certain parking violations from misdemeanors to civil citations. A resident raised concerns that reclassification could affect procedural rights; the city attorney (speaker S20) responded that the characterization in public comment was inaccurate and offered to provide a written legal opinion on request. Councilors voted to adopt each ordinance on second reading.

The council opened committee and public discussions while completing the second readings; no formal legal challenges or litigation were reported during the meeting. Residents and committee members urged more attention to removing outdated or conflicting ordinances and to provide accessible records of prior committee deliberations.