A decision to consider an emergency ordinance putting a temporary halt to ticketing homeless people for sleeping in public places may have been hasty, some members of the Boulder City Council said Friday.

The council on Tuesday directed City Manager Jane Brautigam to come back within two weeks with language for suspending enforcement of the city's law that makes camping in parks, under bridges or in other public places a crime that carries a $100 fine.

The group was swayed by about 60 homeless people and advocates who protested outside the council meeting and gave emotional testimony inside.

But on Friday, during the council's annual retreat, the leaders seemed to agree that they might have set a bad precedent by promising a quick review.

"We create expectations that if groups come ... we will respond," Councilwoman Suzy Ageton said. "That isn't good policy making.

"I think there is an important part of our role, which is to resist action without information."

Mayor Susan Osborne said she felt "boxed in" by the protesters, and pressured to act.

Others agreed with her, saying the group needs to avoid making fast decisions based on emotions.

There was no indication the council will not review the no-camping ordinance as promised. In fact, the city manager said staffers will meet with homeless advocates in the coming week -- in a session that isn't open to the public -- to review the homeless community's concerns ahead of the possible emergency ordinance.

The council agreed that a future alternative is to send hot topics to an agenda committee or the city manager to develop more information first.