A special meeting of Sarnia council will be held on Friday morning to address concerns at Rainbow Park.
Council will "consider approving provisions for staff to address sanitation, security, and other concerns deemed appropriate by staff in light of the decision by the County of Lambton to withhold comment on such matters," a social media post by the City of Sarnia read.
Sarnia's mayor was stonewalled by Lambton county councillors when seeking further information on a specific homeless encampment issue last week.
Mike Bradley asked for a report — on behalf of city council — to detail 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.
The city's provincially mandated community safety and well-being leadership group was tasked with drafting an encampment protocol in May.
Councillor Brian White said the protocol would include an outside legal opinion, which stated that the city doesn't have the legal authority to evict encampment residents from the park at Front and Johnston Streets.
White said the document would also identify if Rainbow Park is off limits, and outline a clear set of expectations as to where unhoused people can safely congregate.
The special meeting, to be held electronically, is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
Sarnia council returned to virtual meetings in May because of concerns raised by council, staff, and the public about safety in the workplace.
