Item 4: PH on Ordinance Concerning Extreme Fighting

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Prohibiting Extreme Fighting; Adding Section 4.740 to the Eugene Code, 1971; and Amending Section 4.990 of that Code Meeting Date: September 11, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 4 Department: City Attorney’s Office Staff Contact: Jerry Lidz www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5080 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to regulate extreme fighting, also known as cage fighting. BACKGROUND Chapter 463 of the Oregon Revised Statutes regulates professional boxing and wrestling. Typically, cage fighters are amateurs. Because the State does not regulate amateur fighting and does not prohibit the City from doing so, the City may regulate cage fighting. The City Council held a work session on a proposed ordinance to prohibit cage fighting on August 14, 2006, and approved a motion to schedule this public hearing on the draft ordinance. Attachment A is the same draft ordinance the council discussed at the August 14 work session. The City Attorney’s Office has attempted unsuccessfully to contact the Oregon State Police for information on state enforcement of its ban on extreme fighting and technical suggestions on the definition of extreme fighting. Staff anticipates amending the ordinance after receiving that input and additional direction from the council following the public hearing. The draft ordinance would prohibit both promotion of and participation in extreme fighting by amateurs. The ordinance defines “extreme fighting” so that it covers the aspects of cage fighting that make it especially dangerous for the participants. Penalties may include fines, jail time and civil penalties. The draft ordinance does not regulate professional fighting, which is regulated by the State. (State law also prohibits extreme fighting, but it defines “extreme fighting” as a “no-holds-barred” match, and it is unclear whether cage fighting as recently conducted in Eugene would fit that definition. The proposed ordinance defines the term more broadly.) RELATED CITY POLICIES Not applicable. COUNCIL OPTIONS Staff requests direction from the council following the public hearing. The council has the following options: L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060911\S0609114.doc