Robbinsdale Considers Ordinance Change To Prevent Camping on Public Property

The city of Robbinsdale is taking steps to lay down new ground rules when it comes to camping on public property.

The issue came up after someone set up a tent by the city’s water tower.

According to elected leaders, the city has a history showing of compassion to people who may be homeless. At the same time, there’s also concern about safety.

“If something happens, where it’s out of hand, we do have rules in place,” said Robbinsdale City Council Member Jason Greenberg at Tuesday’s meeting. “It feels like that’s the intent of this, which I appreciate.”

Under a proposed ordinance change, no person would be able to set up any tent or temporary shelter on city-owned property, street or public right-of-way. The city could remove any such items or personal property related to those items, according to the proposed change.

City Manager Tim Sandvik said “the intent of this isn’t to create some type of connotation there’s wrongdoing related to homelessness.”

Help for the Homeless

Sandvik pointed out a success story last year where the city helped a person living in their car find permanent housing through a variety of resource partners.

Robbinsdale police use an embedded social worker to respond to cases that may involve mental health or housing instability.

“This language does give us a lot of flexibility … if we need additional time to help connect a person to resources, make sure their belongings are housed or kept temporarily while they get those resources,” said Sandvik.

At the Tuesday, June 3, meeting, Robbinsdale City Council members expressed a need for more public input on the proposed ordinance change.

“There’s a lot here. This is a complex issue,” said Robbinsdale Mayor Brad Sutton

The city council approved the first reading of the ordinance change with the expectation of gathering more public input at a second reading, which is expected to happen on July 15.

To find additional resources for people experiencing housing instability, Hennepin County has a comprehensive list on its website.

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