From passing ordinances to the de-annexation of a property, the Girard City Council discussed several items at Monday’s meeting. But as in so many towns and cities, of late, the topic of homelessness was raised during council comments. Second ward councilman Lucas Stansbury opened the discussion noting that he had heard of individuals camping at the former location of Mini-Stop close to the four-way intersection of K-7 and K-47. “It’s just more prevalent. Start thinking about what we need to do with homeless,” he said. City attorney Steve Angermayer added, “We’re aware … We’ve talked about it.” “Recently, the United States Supreme Court granted the cities authority to limit where people can camp. There are anti-camping ordinances based on zoning,” added Angermayer. “So that’s how it’s going to be enforced. So you can deal with some of the issues that our larger municipal organizations are dealing with on a very, very frequent basis but it’s filtering down to the small municipalities as well because these people have cell phones. “… I have a feeling it’s going to be left to the individual jurisdiction on how to deal with a homeless situation … I haven’t seen too much from the league (of municipalities) either on it. It’s fairly new, it’s a fairly recent thing, and it’s becoming very prevalent so we’re going to have to deal with it at some point and pass anti-camping statutes.” Girard Police Chief Seirra Roberts added that the current ordinance states that “the only way that you can stay the night in the city of Girard is the city park.” But that may be a problem at some point, and we may have to address it,” said Angermayer. “… It’s a national byway for bicyclists. If you look on the bicycle map, this is a destination as you’re going east to west or vice versa and there’s people in the United States that start on one coast and ride to the next and they rely on this map for their next destination, where they are going to camp. It is not, however, a destination for homeless people. So we are probably going to have to deal with that. It’s coming.” When it comes to helping the individuals reportedly seen at four-way intersection, Chief Roberts added that they are assisting them to “find their way.” “We are currently working on trying to figure out a way to help them find their way,” she said. The next Girard City Council meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at the Girard City Hall on the southeast side of the building, located at 120 N. Ozark St. Council meetings may also be viewed on YouTube by searching for “City of Girard, Kansas.” For more information, contact Girard City Hall at 620-724-8918. Source: Morning Sun
