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Notus council reviews proposed code changes to address homeless camping in public ways
Summary
Council discussed proposed revisions to Title 7, Chapter 1 on Public Ways and Property to clarify what constitutes homeless camping; the mayor cited problems at the Notus Post Office, the city attorney raised penalties as an option, and Councilwoman Lupita Connor opposed criminal fines for people who are homeless.
Council examined proposed revisions to Notus City Code, Title 7, Chapter 1 (Public Ways and Property), aimed at clarifying the city's authority over camping on public property. Mayor David Porterfield described past problems at a location near the Notus Post Office, saying there had been trash and urine on the floor, and shared Nampa's code language as a potential model. City Attorney Ben Layman said Council could consider penalties for prohibited actions; Councilwoman Lupita Connor responded that people who are homeless "should not have criminal fines or fees."
The discussion centered on whether simple language changes could allow the city to be more proactive in addressing camping and related sanitary concerns. No ordinance or penalty schedule was adopted at this meeting; council directed further review of the proposed language and potential implications for enforcement and city resources.
