The majority of Sarnia council agreed Monday that something has to be done about a homeless encampment at Rainbow Park.
After hearing from concerned neighbours and following a lengthy discussion, council decided in a 5-2 recorded vote it was in favour of dissolving the encampment, but agreed to wait until after the May 6 meeting to enforce the action.
Councillor Anne Marie Gillis said holding off would ensure they had all of their "ducks in a row."
"With regard to bylaw, with regard to legal, with regard to social services from the county, also people will be under the understanding of what they can and can not do when this taking down of the encampment happens," said Gillis.
She hopes neighbours would see the encampment, at the foot of Devine and Talfourd Streets, dismantled within the week if approved at the next meeting.
"Prior to that, obviously there is some cleanup that needs to be done in the short term that will involve whatever agency needs to be involved that we have to employ to make that happen," Gillis said.
She said "people who have been putting up with this, deserve that much."
Gillis said she researched other cities and found municipalities can take action and dismantle encampments if there are enough shelter spaces in the community, which she said she's been told Sarnia has.
Acting Mayor Chrissy McRoberts and Councillor Terry Burrell voted against the motion, preferring to wait until advice was given at the May meeting.
Councillor Adam Kilner and Mayor Mike Bradley were absent on Monday.