GP City Council Reschedules Meeting to Enact Restrictions on Public Camping
The Grants Pass City Council had planned to cancel its first meeting in August due to the Josephine County Fair, but next week's meeting is back on.
The City Council is scheduled to take action on ordinances repealing the municipal code sections pertaining to Camping in Parks and Criminal Trespass on City Property. The panel will also consider a resolution adopting allowable locations for camping in accordance with an existing ordinance.
In late June, the United States Supreme Court overruled an injunction brought by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that forced the City of Grants Pass to allow the unhoused population to "rest" in all parks except Reinhart Volunteer Park. The nation's highest court determined the city's restrictions on camping in public spaces do not constitute "cruel and unusual punishment" as contended by the lower court.
It appears the City Council is now ready to move forward with time, place and manner restrictions on public camping by banning the practice in most city parks.
The Council has identified five places where public camping will be allowed. They include a strip of land near the new Water Treatment Plant, an empty lot next to the Grants Pass Police Station, the "Texas Property" next to Baker Park, a grassy area near the Hillcrest Fire Station and a parcel on the far west side of Riverside Park.
More details will be unveiled at the Wednesday night meeting that will be held at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 101 NW A Street.
