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

Home Browse Search

e Jesse Johnson described skateboarding as a means of transportation and claimed that skateboarders are treated unfairly. He encouraged the council to look at both sides of the skateboarding issue. Ronald Sloth reported conflicting statements being made by different security guards who had cited him for violations. He asked for a definition of recklessness in the use of a skateboard. If a skateboard park is developed, Mr. Sloth urged the council not to limit skateboarding to that one area. Michelle Vesey asked that recklessness be defined more clearly. Josh Newell felt the ordinance was not intended to address issues of vandalism and safety, but was a reaction to the fact that skateboarders look different than other citizens. There being no additional requests to speak, Councilor Schue closed the public hearing. Sill Gary, City Attorney's Office, said the term recklessness is not used in the ordinance. The term "unsafe operation of a skateboard on the sidewalk" is defined as: 1) riding a skateboard on a sidewalk within the area where it is prohibited; 2) riding a skateboard on a sidewalk and failing to yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians; and 3) riding a skateboard on the sidewalk in a careless manner that would endanger or would be likely to endanger any person or property on the sidewalk. The third of those three standards is e the only one involving judgment by the citing officer. CS 4147--An ordinance concerning skateboard riding; adding a new Section 5.5450 to the Eugene Code, 1971. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Bennett, that the bill with unanimous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. Ms. Ehrman commented that the intent of the ordinance was to establish consistent response by police and security officers and it attempted to balance the needs of skateboarders with those of pedestrians. She said the council has discussed and agrees that bicyclists and skateboarders should be treated equally. With the implementation of the ordinance, Ms. Ehrman said there appeared to be council support to assign a higher priority to exploring the development of a skateboard park. She encouraged interested skateboarders to participate in the process of designing, siting, and developing a skateboard park. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 5:0. Mr. Boles pointed out to those youthful members of the public who had testified that councilors were "not born old." He stressed that there was no e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 26, 1989 Page 3