Council members urge updating encampment ordinance to better protect downtown

The city manager told the council that recent legal developments — citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision and a governor's executive order — mean the existing local ordinance governing encampments is out of date and may not reflect current authority or enforcement expectations.

Multiple council members responded by urging staff to prepare an amended ordinance that would allow more decisive action to protect downtown public spaces and local businesses. Several members described recurring problems including people camping in park fountains, public urination and repeated overnight sleeping in the downtown park, and said those behaviors deter visitors and harm local commerce.

One council member said the downtown train‑station and park are the community's primary visitor areas and asked staff to prioritize measures that protect those places. Another council member urged that the city also pursue humane engagement and connect people to services, noting existing local service providers and the housing authority as partners.

The city manager asked for direction from council on whether to draft an amended ordinance or leave the current code unchanged. Council comments at the meeting expressed consensus in favor of drafting an amendment; staff were directed to return with proposed language and to coordinate enforcement with the sheriff's department and service providers.