Internet photo (not in Redmond) |
Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property in Parks and in Order to Prohibit Camping and Storage of Personal Property on Other Public Property When Overnight Shelter Space is Available; Authorizing the Police Chief to Adopt Rules and Regulations for Enforcement.
Below is a partial accounting of Council's Janurary 2nd decision-making process in approving the ordinance:
1) Mr. Haney, the city attorney advised Council to pass the ordinance to be in compliance with Federal law related to a Boise court case citing 8th Amendment rights.
2) Council member Anderson moved to amend Ordinance No. 2911 to add the definition “Overnight Shelter” be defined as a public or private shelter, with an available overnight space for one or more individuals.
Anderson's motion was seconded by Council member Fields. VOTE: Ms. Anderson's motion to amend failed with Council members Anderson and Fields in support (2 – 5).
3) Mr. Fields asked if the City's municipal campus is an example of public shelter space and someone (staff, attorney, or the mayor) said yes.
4) Mr. Fields recommended a study session before voting on the ordinance. His concerns were 1) that he and two other council members were new and left out of earlier conversations/decisions and 2) the ordinance may have serious consequences. Fields recommendation was denied. The main motion passed with Council member Fields in opposition (6 – 1).
Activist Albert Rosenthal claims "public shelter space" includes the Mayor's office and City Hall business floors. To read a letter he wrote the Mayor and Council "READ MORE." He will be addressing Council during Items from the Audience at their next regular meeting, 2/16/2017 7:30 pm.
B. Yoder, opinion