Roseburg City Council Rejects Campground Site, Releases Report, and Declines Fireworks Ban
Roseburg City Council voted 6-2 to cancel purchase of the Stephens St. site for a proposed urban campground, unanimously agreed to release the full Rummel investigation report, and rejected a citywide fireworks ban by a 6-2 vote. The next meeting is set for Oct. 13 at City Hall.
ROSEBURG, Ore. — The Roseburg City Council voted Monday night to cancel a planned purchase of the former Reddaway trucking depot at 1899 S.E. Stephens St., ending discussions about using the property for an urban campground.
Urban Campground Proposal Withdrawn
The council chambers were filled to capacity as dozens of residents voiced opinions on the proposal. Testimony lasted more than an hour, with some residents speaking in support and others raising concerns.
Supporters cited a shortage of affordable housing and the need for a managed campground to address issues related to homelessness. Opponents raised concerns about safety, impacts on children and seniors in the neighborhood, environmental risks, and questions about whether the site met city criteria for such a project.
Following public comment, Councilor Shelley Briggs Loosley moved to cancel the purchase. The motion passed on a 6-2 vote. Councilors Ellen Porter and Tom Michalek opposed the cancellation, saying the city had been struggling with the issue for years and that it was time to try a managed approach.
Other councilors expressed concerns about the cost, lack of a detailed plan, and uncertainty over whether an urban campground would succeed in reducing camping in parks and other public spaces.
Rummel Investigation Report to Be Released
In other business, the council voted unanimously to release the full investigative report into the resignation of former City Manager Kylee Rummel in January.
The council had the option to release only a summary that excluded the investigator’s conclusions. Instead, members agreed that transparency outweighed potential liability concerns.
Rummel told The News-Review she supported the report’s release but questioned the cost of the investigation and whether it had been necessary.
Fireworks Ban Rejected
The council also revisited a proposal from the Roseburg Fire Department to ban otherwise-legal fireworks within city limits. Fire Chief Tyler Christopherson presented information on fireworks bans in other Oregon cities and their impact on fire risk.
Despite that research, councilors voted 6-2 against adopting a local ban, meaning state-legal fireworks will remain allowed in Roseburg.
Next Meeting
The next Roseburg City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 at City Hall.
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