MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – At Monday’s city council meeting, the Marquette City Council introduced a new ordinance that would make it illegal to camp on city-owned property outside of the city campgrounds.
“Essentially this ordinance would prohibit camping in public spaces, so our parks, parking lots, and streets, and limited really only to our campground,” said City Manager Karen Kovacs. “Camping can include tents campers, and vehicles for the purposes of sleeping in.”
Kovacs said this ordinance would help address some problems with visitors camping illegally during the summer.
“We had some issues in prior years for tourists that are coming in and camping either overnight, or setting up their camper in some of our parking lots, which we have to give some attention to,” said Kovacs. “But this ordinance would allow us to enforce that a little bit more.”
However, some community members are concerned this ordinance would adversely affect Marquette’s homeless population.
“When the shelters are full, or our motel vouchers are used up, we’re really helping folks sustain their life out of vehicles, out of camps, out of camping supplies,” said Room at the Inn Executive Director Chelsie Wilkinson. “By making that illegal we are not doing anything that is solving homelessness. We are instead punishing some of the only resources we have left to help keep our community members alive in their time of crisis.”
While there are concerns on both sides, both the city and Room at the Inn said they are committed to working together to find a compromise that is safe for everyone.
“In order for us to build a community that works for everyone, we all have to be willing to come to the table in a rational way,” said Wilkinson.
“We are looking more to work with some of these organizations that may have some of these issues or have individuals that that represent or are advocating for,” said Kovacs. “We have a commitment to continue to work with them.”
Kovacs said the council hopes to have the ordinance amended and passed in time for the summer months.
