06/26/1989 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e under consideration responded to the council's direction after reviewing and conducting a public hearing on a similar ordinance. The revised ordinance has a smaller restricted area than the one originally proposed and also includes the offense of unsafe operation of a skateboard on a sidewalk. Responding to Ms. Ehrman's request for clarification of further changes in the ordinance discussed at the council's work session earlier in the evening, Ms. Bohman said in Section 1(2)(c), reference to specific bus transfer stations would be deleted. In that same section, under (3), reference to a sidewalk in a prohibited area would be added to the general definition of the offense of unsafe operation. The City Attorney's Office advised that (3)(a) would be more clear if it specified that a person commits the offense if a skateboard is ridden upon a sidewalk in an area where it is not otherwise prohibited. Councilor Schue opened the public hearing. Peter T. Wotton, 350 Pearl Street, No. 202, spoke in support of the ordinance as it was written, but he stressed the importance of providing alternatives for young people. Mr. Wotton considered skateboarding a healthy sport and legitimate means of transportation, recommended that a skateboard park be developed, and mentioned the Skinner Butte reservoir as a potential site. Charles V. Hodges, PO Box 2710, spoke on behalf of LTD and expressed concern about the public's safety on connection with skateboarding. Referring to . vandalism of wooden benches and damage to glass and plexiglass components in e LTD bus shelters, Mr. Hodges said skateboarding shoul~ not be allowed in highly congested areas. He recommended requiring skateboarders to carry their boards through such areas, much as bicyclists are required to push their bicycles. Mr. Hodges reported that LTD has received a number of calls from elderly citizens who avoid the 10th Avenue bus transfer area because they fear they will be injured by skateboarders. Lorre Albin, 2525 Hawkins Lane, spoke as the parent of a 15-year-old skateboarder and said she supported the creation of a skateboard park and other areas where skateboarding is acceptable. Ms. Albin described skateboarding as an alternative to gangs and an art form that helps build self-esteem and self-confidence. Paul Burkhaft, 3530 Knob Hill Lane, expressed appreciation to nonskateboarders for their support. He said skateboarding is one of the few available alternatives to drugs and gang activity for young people. He requested the creation of a skateboard park which he said skateboarders would volunteer to work on. Matt Garner, 2845 Kincaid Street, spoke about the treatment of skateboarders by security guards and police officers. He said a security guard had told him he could skateboard ih an alley near the Atrium, but he had later been cited by a police officer for doing so. Mr. Garner maintained that bicyclists were treated differently than skateboarders and that other dangers in the downtown area are not being addressed. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 26, 1989 Page 2