Title
a. Receive a presentation assessing the extent to which County of Monterey ordinances and policies align with Governor Newsom’s Model Ordinance for Addressing Encampments; and
b. Provide direction as necessary.
Presenter: Roxanne Wilson, County Homeless Services Director
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation assessing the extent to which County of Monterey ordinances and policies align with Governor Newsom’s Model Ordinance for Addressing Encampments; and
b. Provide direction as necessary.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This presentation provides an assessment of alignment between County ordinances and policies regulating camping on public spaces, including homeless encampments, and Governor Newsom’s May 12, 2025 guidance document entitled “Model Ordinance: Addressing Encampments with Urgency and Dignity.”
The US Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 in Grants Pass v. Johnson that officials can take reasonable actions to clear encampments. Immediately to follow, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-1-24, directing state agencies to develop policies to prioritize addressing dangerous and unhealthy encampments on state property and encouraging local governments to adopt similar policies.
On January 28, 2025, the County Board of Supervisors approved a policy for addressing encampments which provides guidance to departments and offices regarding when and in what manner encampments within the County of Monterey’s jurisdictional boundaries will be addressed.
On May 12, 2025, The Office of the Governor issued guidance called Model Ordinance for Addressing Encampments with Urgency and Respect and encouraged local Governments to adopt similar policies and take urgent action to remove encampments from public spaces. He further directed the California Interagency Council on Homelessness to create guidance for local governments to follow in creating and implementing those programs.
This presenta...
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