After delays, Des Moines' final camping ban vote set for Monday

Final votes on Des Moines' proposed outdoor sleeping and camping bans go before the City Council on Monday night after a nearly two-month delay.

Why it matters: Municipal officials used the extra time to respond to advocates' concerns, but some of the City Council's directives are still incomplete.

Zoom in: Under the proposals, people sleeping in streets, on sidewalks or in doorways could be charged with a simple misdemeanor.

• Campsites could be removed 24 hours after a notice is posted.

State of play: The proposals were unveiled in mid-July but were delayed in response to community input and warnings from groups like the ACLU of Iowa, which argued the measures were probably "challengeable" on legal grounds.

• Since then, the proposed sleeping fine has been reduced from $150 to $15, and language to make it easier for people to defend themselves against possible charges has been added.

The intrigue: Some of the City Council's directives to improve city resources for people experiencing homelessness are still in progress, the Des Moines Register reports.

• Enforcement can be delayed until after the directives are completed, city manager Scott Sanders said last week.
• The city's efforts to improve mental health services and expand the level of outreach workers are ongoing.

What's next: Monday's City Council meeting begins at 5pm.