MARQUETTE, MI— The Marquette City Commission has introduced an amendment to the city code regarding overnight occupation of city-owned property.
City Manager Karen Kovacs says it was created when last year’s tourists set up campers in parking lots, parks, and sometimes on Tourist Park’s driveway.
“Our mechanism for really enforcing that, especially with the tourists, is a little bit limited. Generally, we do ask them to move along and they do comply, but there are some that are continuing to break the rules the second we turn our back and perhaps they’re coming back.”
The ordinance was part of the commission’s consent agenda Monday night. It would allow for the seizure of camping-related items.
Some are concerned the proposed rules could affect Marquette’s homeless population, if adopted as-is.
According to the City Charter, an ordinance cannot be adopted at the meeting at which it is introduced. Commissioners will consider it again during the April 14 meeting.
More information is here.
