Title
Unauthorized Urban Camping Ban Updates
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Summary and Background Information:
In November 2022, City Council adopted Ordinance 2431 amending the municipal code by adding a section prohibiting unauthorized camping on public or private property without express written consent, except where expressly permitted. The ordinance has been included in the packet for this item.
Enforcement of the ordinance requires available shelter space and an established encampment remediation policy. The enforcement requirements state that no employee authorized to issue citations can enforce the ordinance against someone camping on public property unless: 1) the person has been issued and refused to comply with an order to decamp, including an offer of shelter placement, or 2) the person was offered shelter but refused and still failed to comply with the order. Additionally, the ordinance mandates the City Manager must establish policy and procedures addressing the manner of encampment remediation. A draft policy has been prepared and is ready to be implemented, pending the confirmation of shelter space availability. The draft policy has been included in the packet for this item.
As of late December 2023, the City's Community Well Being Division had made 1,133 contacts with unhoused persons and was able to help house 23 people through already established assistance programs. The other contacts remained unhoused and, in some cases, unsheltered. The City currently does not have any shelter beds available. Inquiries were made to Denver, but their beds are already near or above 90% utilization. Further, of the 823 shelter beds that are available in Adams County and Broomfield, almost all are located in North Aurora. Moreover, reliable shelter space must be secured before Ordinance 2431 can be enforced.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Jim Tolbert, Assistant City Manager
Staff Member Presenting: Jim Tolbert, Assistant City Manager
Financial Impact: None at this time
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