03/08/17 City Council Agenda Packet

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downtown stakeholders, and partners toward a combination of strategies that will make downtown cleaner, healthier and safer. The City Council held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to restrict dogs from the downtown core on February 27, 2017. At the hearing, 34 people provided testimony (24 opposed; 10 supported). From February 8, 2017 (when Council moved to hold the public hearing) to 4:00 p.m. on March 1, approximately 54 emails related to the proposed ordinance were received (20 opposed; 34 supported). RELATED CITY POLICIES City Council Goals Safe Community - A community where all people are safe, valued and welcome. • Greater sense of safety (especially downtown) Regional Prosperity Economic Development Plan Strategy 5: Identify as a Place to Thrive, Priority Next Step - Urban Vitality As we foster a creative economy, dynamic urban centers are an important asset. Eugene, Springfield and many of the smaller communities in the region, recognize the importance of supporting and enhancing vitality in their city centers. Building downtowns as places to live, work and play will support the retention and expansion of the existing business community and be a significant asset to attract new investment. The Cities of Eugene and Springfield will continue to enhance their efforts to promote downtown vitality through development and redevelopment. COUNCIL OPTIONS 1. Adopt Option A of the ordinance, which is the ordinance as presented at the February 27, 2017, public hearing; 2. Adopt Option B of the ordinance, which modifies the Option A ordinance to add a sentence to subsection (4) that states: "To qualify for the exemption under this subsection (4) a dog owner must hold a valid dog license for a license -eligible dog (set of permanent canine teeth or attained the age of 6 months)." 3. Do not adopt the ordinance. CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends that the Council establish a pilot program prohibiting dogs within the downtown core by adopting Ordinance Option B. SUGGESTED MOTIONS I move to adopt Option B of the Ordinance Concerning the Prohibition of Dogs Within the Downtown Core.