Council amends park-exclusion code to allow chief<br>uthorized staff to issue orders

The council unanimously approved an emergency amendment to Grants Pass Municipal Code section 6.46.350 to align park-exclusion procedure with the downtown exclusion-zone practice. Stephanie (city staff) told council that the current code required a police officer to be dispatched for park exclusion orders, which she said pulled sworn officers from other duties. The ordinance changes the authorizing language so the chief of police or a police department employee authorized by the chief may issue park exclusion orders.

Staff framed the amendment as a public-safety and resource-efficiency measure: allowing authorized non-sworn personnel to issue administrative exclusions would free sworn officers for patrol and emergency response. Council adopted the ordinance on both first and second readings during the same meeting under the emergency clause; votes were unanimous.

Ending: The ordinance takes effect immediately under the emergency declaration. Staff said there is no direct fiscal impact but that operational changes will be coordinated with the police department.