File #: 24R-5822    Version: 1 Name: Homeless Ordinance
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 9/3/2024 In control: City Commission Meeting
On agenda: 11/25/2024 Final action:
Title: ORDINANCE NO. 24O-10-157: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 14, OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, CREATING ARTICLE IX, UNAUTHORIZED PUBLIC CAMPING AND PUBLIC SLEEPING, PROHIBITING PUBLIC CAMPING AND PUBLIC SLEEPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 125.0231; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS, PROVIDING METHODS OF ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH).
Attachments: 1. ORD-24O-10-157-Lauderhill-Draft Homelesss Public Camping Sleeping Ordinance.pdf, 2. AR 24O-10-157, 3. Broward County Final Passed Ordinance 2024-37.pdf
Title
ORDINANCE NO. 24O-10-157: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AMENDING THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 14, OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, CREATING ARTICLE IX, UNAUTHORIZED PUBLIC CAMPING AND PUBLIC SLEEPING, PROHIBITING PUBLIC CAMPING AND PUBLIC SLEEPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTES, SECTION 125.0231; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS, PROVIDING METHODS OF ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (REQUESTED BY CITY MANAGER, DESORAE GILES-SMITH).

Body
Request Action:
Create a code enforcement provision regarding the prohibition relating to public camping and public sleeping on public property within the city.


Need Summary Explanation/ Background:
HB #### was recently passed and became effective October 1, 2024. The Bill prohibits overnight public camping and public sleeping on public property within the city. Effective January 1, 2025, failure to enforce the prohibition can result in a lawsuit being filed against the city. The law essentially requires the county and the cities to have a law in effect prohibition such actions in order to be able to enforce violations as required by the FloridaStatutes. The city's first priority is to attempt to voluntarily gain compliance and refer and transport for assistive services. A tiered approach will be used with arrest being the extreme last resort. The city intends to first attempt to gain compliance and refer for services, but if the person refuses then the city intends to rely upon the Broward County ordinance that was put into effect with the intent to be able to be enforced by all cities who do not have a conflicting ordinance, such that the city can refer to the adult civil service program and only resort to arrest as the last resort if necessary through the broward county code.


Cost Summary/ Fiscal Impact:
Include projected cost, approved budget amount and account number, source of funds, and any fut...

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