East Grand Forks considers ordinances regulating camping, conduct in public spaces
The City Council is considering two ordinances, one for camping and another for conduct in parks.
https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/east-grand-forks-considers-ordinances-regulating-camping-conduct-in-public-spaces
EAST GRAND FORKS – The East Grand Forks City Council reviewed two proposed ordinances regulating conduct in public areas during its work session Tuesday night.
The City Council is considering an ordinance that would restrict camping in public areas and another ordinance that would spell out rules and hours for public parks. Both ordinance changes have been in discussion at a staff level for some time and would add a way for the city to regulate unwanted and unlawful activities, city staff told the council.
“We don’t have a huge issue here in East Grand Forks, but there certainly is a problem with occasionally camping in some areas where you're not supposed to be,” East Grand Forks Police Chief Mike Hedlund said. “We definitely have an issue with some of the Greenway areas.”
Those issues are most pronounced near the Greenway, but issues have occurred elsewhere in the city, according to Hedlund. The camping ordinance,
similar to one recently passed by the Grand Forks City Council just last week, would set a maximum $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail for violations. Violations would also be considered a misdemeanor, similar to other provisions in city code and how city code is generally enforced, said City Attorney Ron Galstad.
The other ordinance, being brought forth by the Parks Department, would set hours at city parks from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., mirroring the hours of the Greenway. It would also spell out where motor vehicles could and could not go, which has been an issue.
“I see them driving down there (by the Point Bridge) all the time in places I don’t know if they necessarily need to be there,” Council member Dale Helms said.
Especially for the parks conduct ordinance, having proper signage is a top concern for the council.
“I think most of the time the people this is going to apply to are going to be younger kids who probably aren’t aware of most city ordinances,” Council member Ben Pokrzywinski said. “So if we can have something posted, even if it’s just a QR code, I think it would be helpful.”
Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jeremy King said that it was doable, and signs could be posted at the kiosks at the parks.
The fee structure was also of some concern. Hedlund said that the camping ordinance would likely be used as an educational and warning tool day-to-day, but that it allows for escalation if issues continue to happen. For the parks ordinance, making the rules crystal clear was Mayor Mark Olstad’s suggestion.
“Here it just says misdemeanor, should we mirror it like the (camping ordinance) we just looked at?” Olstad said. “I’m just thinking that someone who reads it (may not understand the penalty).”
The council will consider the ordinances for preliminary approval as soon as its June 3 meeting.
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