OMAHA, Neb. —

The Omaha City Council rejected an ordinance that would have banned homeless encampments on public property on Tuesday in a 5-2 vote.

Mayor John Ewing Jr. had said he would veto the ordinance if it passed. Ewing said as he announced a plan alongside the city's homelessness outreach groups last month that he would not consider any ordinance on homelessness during the six-month pilot program.

Councilmember Brinker Harding introduced the ordinance, which specifies a maximum sentence of a $300 fine or 30 days in jail, or both. It also requires 24-hour notice to remove any camping materials before a citation.

Harding amended his original proposal to include a diversion program for people charged under the ordinance.

The change also specified that the city would coordinate wit

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