Staff is recommending an ordinance, attached, in order to establish clear limitations on the overnight occupation of public property.

Per City Charter, an ordinance cannot be adopted at the meeting at which it is introduced. This ordinance was introduced at the Commission's March 31 meeting. Then on April 14, the Commission considered adoption of the ordinance, ultimately voting to postpone action to this meeting. During the April 14 meeting, the Commission requested that staff clarify the intent of the ordinance. 

The proposed ordinance has been amended and now includes a new Sec. 22-36, which further elaborates on the city's process for handling the disposition (removal, handling and storage) of unauthorized items.

Items will be handled in accordance with the City Police Department's existing procedure for managing lost and found property. This procedure, attached, has been in effect since 2018 and is informed by state law and nationally recognized best practices.