DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Council will vote Wednesday on the second reading of a proposed change to its public camping ordinance.
In September, the council approved an agreement with Central Iowa Shelter & Services to add at least 25 beds for people experiencing homelessness, with the city providing a $300,000 reserve and assigning Des Moines police officers to the shelter in return.
As a result of the shelter expansion, some members of the council suggested removing the “affirmative defense” component of the ordinance, which prohibits violators from being fined if shelters are full or if they are unable to pay the ticket…