Sarnia council rejected a call to obtain a court injunction to clear homeless encampments, including the one set up at Rainbow Park, on Monday.
Council waived the rules to discuss the motion -- that was not included on the agenda -- from Councillor Terry Burrell, who believed an injunction was necessary.
"To make sure we have all our ducks in a row," said Burrell. "All the constitutional rights of individuals have been looked after and that what the county has suggested they can do for people can be done. So, that's why I'm suggesting we go through the courts."
City Solicitor Randi Kalar warned a decision could take up to 10 months, the complete support of the county -- potentially as a co-applicant -- would be needed, and the process would be expensive.
"Other municipalities that have filed for an injunction have spent upwards of $200,000," said Kalar. "They have been required to hire very experienced senior counsel from external law firms. This is a very specialized area of law and you want to make sure that it's done properly and delicately, given the vulnerable position of many of these individuals who are experiencing homelessness."
Councillor Chrissy McRoberts viewed the proposed injunction "as a reaction and not a response."
"If we're going to spend anywhere up to $200,000 to hopefully make that happen, why not use that money as an investment to work with the county and find out how we can spread these people out and give them something interim until they can get onto this by name list, to wait to get to an apartment or at least get help," said McRoberts.
Mayor Mike Bradley stressed that homelessness falls under the County of Lambton's mandate.
"They received over $10 million dollars to deal with the homeless," Bradley said. "They have the resources and what I think we need from the city/county councillors on Wednesday [at county council's meeting in Wyoming] is a strong push for them to step up."
Burrell's motion only received support from City/County Councillor Bill Dennis.
Councillor Dave Boushy was absent.
Meanwhile, a specific motion to determine whether, or not, Lambton Public Health and the County of Lambton's social services division would support sanitation services -- at Rainbow Park or any other encampment -- was endorsed.
The protocol will clearly outline the roles of the city, county, police, fire and health services when it comes to encampments and where they can and cannot be located.