May 12, 2025 3:30 a.m.

The Roseburg City Council will consider an ordinance prohibiting the distribution of hypodermic needles on city property, including parks and public ways, at its meeting on Monday night.

The council and staff had a discussion about hypodermic needles at its April 21st meeting. Park employees regularly inspect spaces for needles during their morning rounds but cannot cover the entirety of the park’s acreage every day. Staff have been encountering an increasing number of hypodermic needles while performing their regular duties and during camp cleanups. In the last year, four workers have been poked by hypodermic needles during camp cleanups.

The HIV Alliance has been the primary entity running a needle exchange program serving unhoused residents within city parks as part of their harm reduction strategy. They have indicated that they would cease running the program within park properties.

Also – Councilors will consider awarding the contract for destination marketing organization services to Anvil Northwest for the next five years starting at $700,000 per year.

Other items are on the agenda as well.

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. It can be seen on the city’s Facebook page or viewed later at www.cityofroseburg.org