A proposed ordinance that would ban camping in public places would leave many homeless people with no place to go, city commissioners were told by a group Tuesday who frequently camp along the Kansas River.

“You can’t just close your eyes and have people disappear,” Randy Dyke, a homeless man who camps along the river, told commissioners. “We keep our area clean down there and we keep our area controlled. We’re not down there to cause trouble. Just give us a chance. We have to have someplace to go.”

Commissioners last week heard a trio of proposed ordinances that would address behavior by the homeless and other individuals. One of the proposed ordinances would ban camping on public property, including city parkland along the Kansas River.

Dyke said there was a regular crowd of about 15 people who camped along the river, near a spot east of the former Riverfront Mall building near Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

City commissioners are scheduled to discuss the ordinances again at their July 5 meeting. Several commissioners said they expected the camping issue to be a difficult one to decide because they recognized the city’s two homeless shelters were often full each night. City Commissioner Mike Rundle, who chairs the city’s Task Force on Homeless Services, said this was an issue that was tough to deal with until the city put in place a comprehensive plan on homelessness.

“You can probably philosophically agree that there are some activities that people shouldn’t be doing in a perfect world, but until we get all our gaps in services filled, we have to look at this as a work in progress,” Rundle said.

Other commissioners, though, said it was important to have ordinances on the books that made it illegal to camp on public property.

“The guys who were down here tonight probably aren’t bothering anybody, but I think we need to treat all city property the same,” Commissioner Mike Amyx said. “As much as you might want to say it is OK to do it here, but not over here, I don’t know how you write an ordinance to do that.”

Eddie Otwell has been homeless for the past four years after falling into a financial crisis following the death of his wife. He said staying at one of the city’s two homeless shelters was like staying in a penitentiary to him. He urged commissioners to come down and experience life in the camp.

“I don’t make no trouble,” Otwell said. “I’m not saying I haven’t had any, but I didn’t make it. The ones that did cause trouble, we made them leave because we’re kind of like a family down there.”

Commissioners also heard from Raleigh Worthington, who said that he chose to live on the river and thought he should be allowed to continue to do so.

“I like the simplicity of it,” Worthington said. “I was born and raised on the river. I just really like it down there. It is just freedom.”

Comments taken about Kasold Drive

Several residents who live along a portion of Kasold Drive that is scheduled to be rebuilt told commissioners that the road should not be closed for eight months as part of the construction project.

The road is scheduled to be rebuilt from Bob Billings Parkway to 22nd Street. Several homeowners and the store manager for the area Hy-Vee Food and Drug Store said they were concerned that the stretch of road would be completely closed for eight months. They urged commissioners to consider a plan that would keep at least two of the four lanes opened at all times. It is estimated that would stretch the total length of the project to 15 months.

At a public information meeting earlier this month, city engineers heard from about 30 individuals who said they favored closing the road if it meant a shorter overall project. Commissioners are scheduled to discuss options for the project at their July 19 meeting.

Area residents on Tuesday also asked commissioners to consider moving an 8-foot bike path from the west side of the road to the east side of the road, which does not have as many homes along it.

Engineering firm gets OK on sewer plant

Commissioners unanimously gave city staff members permission to begin negotiating a contract with Overland Park-based Black & Veatch Engineers to help the city select a site for a new sewer plant along the Wakarusa River.

But city commissioners first sought assurances that Lawrence companies would have plenty of opportunities to work on the estimated $76 million project.

City Manager Mike Wildgen said that he had communicated with Black & Veatch officials that local companies should be given every chance to compete for work. “They are very aware of that concern,” Wildgen said.

City staff recommended Black & Veatch over three other firms that submitted proposals. They were: Burns & McDonnell/PEC, which has an office in Lawrence; Carollo Engineers; and Camp, Dresser & McKee/BG Consultants, with an office in Lawrence.

Survey seeks input on Sunday liquor sales

Liquor store owners across the city will be asked whether they want to continue with Sunday sales.

City commissioners agreed to put together a survey asking for the liquor store owners’ comments on the issue. Because of new state legislation, the city must pass a new ordinance before Nov. 15 to allow Sunday sales to continue in the city. The new ordinance also would have to allow grocery stores, convenience stores and other beer retailers to sell 3.2 percent beer on Sundays, which currently is prohibited.