Council Adopts Code Revisions that Define Regulations for Overnight Camping
May 2, 2023 — At the May 1, 2023, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the City Council, on first reading, adopted revisions to the City Code that pertains to overnight camping in tents and/or vehicles in Wilsonville. The legal review of overnight camping code, led by the City Attorney, is to bring the City in compliance with State and Federal laws requiring that Oregon cities provide compassionate protections for people experiencing homelessness by July 1, 2023.
New State law prohibit cities from banning overnight camping, and requires that cities instead establish “reasonable time, place and manner regulations” that specify when, where and on what terms overnight camping is permitted in Wilsonville. Development of the local ordinance has been informed by input from community members, elected officials, law enforcement, social service agencies and people experiencing homelessness.
Upon adoption of these Code revisions after the second reading on May 15, the Council is scheduled to consider the adoption of administrative rules, as stipulated in the revised Code. These rules provide the City some flexibility in developing and maintaining a safe, discreet and sanitary site at City Hall, for overnight use only, that provides Wilsonville’s small population of people experiencing homelessness with safe, temporary space to camp for survival overnight while service providers work to connect individuals to services and housing.
The Council approved the Arts, Culture & Heritage Commission’s Community Cultural Events and Programs Grant (formerly Community Tourism Grant) allocations, which will provide $25,000 in funding to four community organizations to support arts and culture programs and events.
Additionally, the Council approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Clackamas County that transfers portions of two roadways in Frog Pond West (SW Frog Pond Ln., SW Stafford Rd.) to local jurisdiction and provides $45,000 to the City for road improvements.
At a public hearing, on second reading, the Council adopted a recommendation of the City’s Planning Commission to integrate transportation projects from the Frog Pond East and South Master Plan into the City’s Transportation System Plan (TSP).
Also on second reading, the Council approved an application initiated by a resident to change a residential street name in the Frog Pond West neighborhood from SW Columbine Ave. to SW Ponderosa Ave., in accordance with street renaming policy.
During Mayor’s Business, Mayor Julie Fitzgerald detailed the City’s response to an Environmental Assessment conducted by the Oregon Department of Transportation to inform the future I-205 tolling project.
During Communications, Metro District 3 Councilor Gerritt Rosenthal provided an update on the priorities being pursued by the Portland-metro area’s regional government agency, and Oregon Institute of Technology president Dr. Nagi Naganathan detailed the school’s programs and highlighted the school’s strong national rankings. Mayor Fitzgerald acknowledged a City proclamation commemorating OIT’s 75th Anniversary.
During the work session held prior to the meeting, the Council and the City Attorney discussed actions that could be considered to revise the City Charter’s term limit provisions that apply to elected officials. The Council is seeking to protect the community’s interest with adjustments that don’t preclude voters from seating an experienced Mayor and Council.
The next regular meeting of the City Council is to be held on Monday, May 15, at 7 pm; a pre-meeting work session is scheduled at 5 pm.
Community members can watch all City Council meetings on cable (Xfinity Ch. 30, Ziply Ch. 32) or on the City’s YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
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