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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final March 11, 2025 <br />individual circumstances. The Ordinance aimed to improve living conditions for those <br />in need by promoting alternatives to street living rather than leaning toward punitive <br />actions. He stressed that law enforcement's role was not just to enforce penalties but <br />also to provide support and public service. <br />Further discussions between the Board and staff revolved around refining the referral <br />process to community services, taking into account input from local organizations <br />while ensuring that the language remained adaptable for effective law enforcement <br />action. <br />Chairman Flescher expressed concerns about the potential to criminalize <br />homelessness and advocated for systematic solutions that upheld the dignity of <br />individuals while addressing issues related to public space. Attorney Hicks reiterated <br />key points about the proposed Ordinance, emphasizing that law enforcement would <br />prioritize issuing warnings before applying penalties and underlining the need to <br />connect individuals with local service providers. <br />With no further comments, the Chairman closed the Public Hearing. <br />Vice Chairman Loar remarked that the Ordinance was in line with recent legislative <br />changes in Florida and highlighted that the priority for law enforcement was not to <br />arrest homeless individuals but to explore all available resources before considering <br />such actions. <br />A motion was made by Vice Chairman Loar, seconded by Chairman Flescher, to <br />1) approve staffs recommendation; and Ordinance 2025-006, creating Section 16 <br />of Chapter 306, titled "Prohibition of Public Camping or Sleeping within County <br />Buildings or on its Grounds, Streets, Sidewalks, Right -of -Way and other Public <br />Property"; providing for conflicts; providing for severability; providing for <br />codification; and providing for an effective date. 2) Instruct staff to include the <br />penalties for individuals who do not vacate public property after receiving a <br />warning and to clarify the referral process to community services in the <br />Ordinance. The motion carried by the following vote: <br />Aye: 5- Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner <br />Earman, and Commissioner Moss <br />B. PUBLIC NOTICE ITEMS <br />11.6.1. 25-0299 Notice of Scheduled Public Hearing for Budget Amendment 02 for the <br />March 25, 2025 Board Meeting <br />Recommended Action: NO Action Needed <br />Attachments: Staff Report <br />Read into the record by County Attorney Jennifer Shuler <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 13 <br />