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 The Bartlesville City Council passed a new ordinance Monday evening aimed at 'managing homelessness in public spaces while affirming a humanitarian approach to the issue,' according to Councilman Tim Sherrick in a Tuesday interview on KWON Radio’s City Matters.

The ordinance establishes behavior-related regulations in public areas for health and safety purposes, while removing outdated or conflicting language from the city code. A key section of Chapter 12 was repealed to ensure legal clarity. “We’re not legislating a path to recovery,” Sherrick said. “But it’s appropriate to ensure public health and safety.”

Sherrick emphasized that fines, which are capped at $500 to maintain misdemeanor status, will not be issued carelessly. Officers will prioritize referring individuals to support resources, and future implementation may include QR codes linking to aid services. Nonprofits will also assist individuals in obtaining photo IDs necessary for employment and accessing assistance.

The council also discussed steps toward updating zoning codes in alignment with the city’s Endeavor 2045 plan, forming an ad hoc committee with council and citizen representation to review potential contractors for the project.

In a separate matter, the council adopted a new policy requiring a two-year retention period for emails, texts, and electronic messages by public officials. The change comes in response to outdated policies that did not account for modern communication methods. “It’s a move toward increased transparency and public trust,” Sherrick said.

The council also touched on privacy concerns involving FLOCK surveillance cameras. While the city currently restricts data sharing outside of Bartlesville, Sherrick noted broader concerns over surveillance expansion and potential Fourth Amendment implications. “The technology is evolving rapidly,” he said. “We have to be cautious about how and why it’s used.”

Additional items from the meeting included land development approvals, with new housing projects underway, and ongoing efforts to fill openings on various city boards. Sherrick encouraged citizens to apply online at cityofbartlesville.org.