The Des Moines City Council on Oct. 8, 2025 approved second consideration of an ordinance amending section 102-410 related to prohibited camping, voting 5-2 after debate over potential liability and the availability of shelter services.

Council discussion referenced the city’s contract with Central Iowa Shelter and Services (SIS) and whether that contract reduces liability for officers enforcing camping restrictions. One council member said the contract should reduce liability in many cases and that the ordinance should not be made more punitive. Another council member said they wanted additional opportunity to review revised language and were inclined to vote no without seeing proposed changes.

City Attorney Jeff responded to questions about prior conversations and negotiation, saying he did not recall the earlier discussion that some council members described and that he would be willing to follow up with them. Council members asked clarifying legal questions about existing enforcement tools: the record shows the council discussed that sleeping in parks after hours can already be enforced under separate park ordinances and that property damage and vandalism are separate violations enforceable under existing law.

Several council members emphasized the city’s intent to connect people to services rather than to criminalize homelessness; the attorney’s memorandum recommending striking the disputed language was cited as guidance for today’s action. After the discussion the council voted to approve the ordinance amendment as presented (the record reflects the council adopted changes consistent with the attorney’s advice to strike the identified language). The council vote was recorded as 5 yes, 2 no.

Materials and remarks at the meeting referenced council communication number 25-375. The transcript does not record the exact text struck from the ordinance in full; the meeting record indicates staff and the city attorney will continue to work with stakeholders on revised language.