The Boardman City Council approved the first reading of a homeless camping ordinance Tuesday.
The need for the ordinance stems from Oregon House Bill 3115, passed in 2021, requires that cities make “objectively reasonable” rules about when, where and how people can sit and lie outdoors on public property.
The ordinance aims to allow individuals and families experiencing temporary homelessness to camp in relatively safe and sanitary locations while they are actively seeking access to stable and affordable housing housing.
The council will schedule a special meeting in June for a second reading and to consider passage of the ordinance.
In other business, the council adopted the 2023-24 budget in the amount of $74,207,368. It also approved a liquor license for the Dollar General store located at 310 S. Main St.
Elain Howard of Elaine Howard Consulting gave a presentation on a potentially new urban renewal district on the north side of Boardman.
