At the September 3, 2018 Governing Body meeting, action was taken to create a committee to consider similar underlying issues associated with the camping ordinance and the traffic pedestrian safety ordinance. The committee was tasked with addressing “the issue of homelessness and the displacement of persons as well as poverty.”

The result of over a year of work was the passage of the city’s Camping Ordinance which can be found in TMC 9.45.340 et seq. At the time of passage, this ordinance was viewed as a limited, partial ban on camping that represented a balanced restriction to protect certain sensitive areas and infrastructure while continuing to meet the needs of the unsheltered in our community. 

Since passage, additional issues have come to the surface that are not addressed by the current camping ordinance.  Primarily, the public health and safety issues associated with camping.  The City Manager has asked for options on possible amendments for the Governing Body to begin discussions on amendments.