The District to hold off on presenting letter for Columbia ‘urban camping ordinance’ until next month

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A press release from The District states that it will hold off on presenting its letter supporting an “urban camping ordinance” to the Columbia City Council until Aug. 17.

A letter expressing support for the proposed ordinance was signed by nearly 70 downtown business owners and organizations. The District Executive Director Nickie Davis previously stated that it was expected to be presented at the July 20 meeting.

“This decision was made after thoughtful conversations with community partners and supporters. We believe allowing a few additional weeks will provide the best opportunity for this important conversation to receive the attention and consideration it deserves,” the Friday press release says.

The release claims it is being delayed until after the August election because the District “heard concerns that some members of the public may mistakenly connect" the ordinance and a proposed 1% public safety sales tax.

"We want to be clear that this request is not connected to the proposed sales tax and is not an effort to increase policing of homelessness," the release says.

The length of Monday’s City Council agenda was also cited in the release, though there was no listing for The District or the ordinance on the agenda. It also states it would “like to allow several recently launched safety initiatives… to begin demonstrating their impact before adding another policy discussion to the conversation.”

The proposal has been met with criticism online, with some questioning the effectiveness of similar rules around the country.

A full list of the businesses in support of the ordinance can be viewed in the document below.

The letter can also be viewed below.