A public right-of-way will be established to Social Security Bar on the Chetco River under a motion passed Monday by the Brookings City Council.

The decision makes it more likely that the public will always have access to the popular recreation spot.

The council also voted to improve signage at the bar to draw more attention to a prohibition on overnight camping and a ban on fires from May 1 through Nov. 1.

The council action came after City Manager Gary Milliman requested direction for how the city should operate  its 1.6-acre parcel that provides access to the bar from North Bank Chetco River Road.

He gave the council several options, including seeking vendors, developing the acreage as a park, conveying the property to the state or selling it to a private party or nonprofit organization.

None of the council members expressed interest in getting rid of the land or inviting vendors to operate there. Citizens who spoke during the meeting took the same stance.

 Ray Brouette of Harbor said he opposed vendors because they would be in competition with the nearby market on North Bank Chetco River Road. He also spoke in favor of the city keeping the entrance property.

“It seems to be working, other than vandals on the gravel bar,” he said.

Brouette added that he opposed erecting a gate to keep people out. That was not among the options Milliman suggested to council members, but the fear of a gate prompted others to address that possibility, too.

“You would do the community an injustice by putting a lock there,” said George Morrison of Harbor.

Tony Hobbs of Harbor, president of the Oregon South Coast Fishermen, said city ownership of the land would ensure that citizens had access to the bar.

Council President Ron Hedenskog made the suggestion to create a public right-of-way.

“There never has been a public right-of-way accepted by a jurisdiction,” he said.

Hedenskog said a formal right-of-way would protect access for the public in case the city sold the land to someone else years in the future.

His idea quickly found support by other council members. They passed the motion unanimously for an easement and bigger sign.

Milliman said he’s already talked to state agencies and they have approved a 4-foot by 8-foot sign. Morrison told council members the current sign is so small that many people don’t know the bar is closed at night.

Mayor Larry Anderson said he hopes local sign companies get a chance to bid on the project.