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Council backs drafting an enforceable door‑to‑door solicitation ordinance
Summary
The police chief said the city's current blanket prohibition on solicitation is likely unenforceable; councilmembers asked staff to draft a narrower ordinance that protects residents and addresses fraud while allowing review by the city attorney.
The Committee of the Whole discussed the city’s door‑to‑door solicitation code after Chief Stevens told the council the existing ordinance contains a blanket prohibition that may be legally unenforceable.
Chief Stevens said the prior code was intended to protect residents' privacy and address fraud, but staff believes a revised, enforceable ordinance should be drafted. He proposed drafting an ordinance that balances residents’ privacy and consumer‑protection concerns with legal enforceability and asked the city attorney to review the draft.
Councilmembers expressed support for a new ordinance. Alderson McIntyre and Alderson Moss said they favored an enforceable rule that serves residents and is restrictive toward commercial solicitors. Alderson Blundy also supported drafting the ordinance. Council asked staff to prepare a draft to submit to the city attorney for review.
Chief Stevens said staff would draft the ordinance and forward it to the city attorney; council gave direction to proceed.
