North Bend City Councilors will not likely implement a camping ordinance that would utilize the community center parking lot for homeless camping after hearing from citizens and legal counsel. During a work session Monday, City Administrator David Milliron says the proposal could have put the city in a situation that would have created a “state-sponsored danger” meaning that if someone was hurt it could have placed the city legally responsible. He urged the council instead to work on city codes that address nuisances that arise from homeless camping. That would also include developing a good due process and enforcement plan. That would afford the city time to hire a community resource officer and update how the police policies. The city will also look at public streets that could accommodate homeless camping. The city will also wait for model ordinances being drafted by the League of Oregon Cities that will address homeless camping and enforcement following the 9th Circuit Court decision surrounding legislating homelessness.
