Hutchinson council adopts ordinance addressing sleeping on public sidewalks

The Hutchinson City Council on June 9 adopted Ordinance 26-876, amending section 130.27 of the city code to address prohibited public conduct and public nuisances, including provisions related to sleeping on public sidewalks.

MayAnn, Hutchinson City Administrator, told viewers the ordinance responds to concerns raised last fall about individuals sleeping on downtown sidewalks. “Essentially, what this ordinance is this has to do with sleeping on public sidewalks. You may recall there was some conversations last fall with the City Council in the downtown business district regarding the concerns on homelessness and individuals sleeping on the public sidewalk,” she said.

The transcript summary did not include the ordinance’s exact prohibitions, penalties or enforcement steps. MayAnn indicated the measure completed a second reading and was adopted at the meeting; the text and any implementing regulations were not provided in the recap and are on the council’s official agenda packet.

Council members also held a first reading of Ordinance 26-877, a separate measure to amend Chapter 53 of the city code related to the sewer system; MayAnn said the second reading for that ordinance is expected on the next agenda.

The council’s action on Ordinance 26-876 was presented as a policy response to downtown public conduct concerns; the transcript did not record debate, vote counts, or any dissenting statements in the recap. The city will publish the final ordinance text and any effective dates in its official records and agenda materials.