09/11/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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\ on the basis of rumor than the few and scattered incidents of unacceptable be- havior taking place in the mall. Councilman Mohr called attention to the recent community survey which indicated the types of people in the mall had nothing to do with keeping others away. It did indicate those responding did not come to the . mall because of inadequate transportation, parking, and poor selection of mer- chandise. He shared Manager's concern. Mr. Wilson said there is no doubt business has increased but the conduct problems still cannot be overlooked. I Mr. Bradshaw left the meeting. I.Charter Amendment Peti tion , Voter Approval for Restricted Access Thoroughfares - Copies of the proposed amendment were previously distributed to Council members. Councilman Williams said this amendment proposes something which he feels will hamstring requirements on almost any kind of future development and wondered if there would be opportunity for discussion at the time a decision is made whe- ther to place the measure on the November ballot. It was recognized that the September 11 Council meeting would be the last opportuni ty for placing any measures .on the November ballot. :Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. McDonald to place the measure on the November 7 .ballot. City Attorney explained that the Council may place the measure on the November bal- - I :lot, or if no action is taken, in his opinion, State law requires that it come before the voters at the next City election, or Council could call a special City . eJection. Mr. Mohr suqgested discussion at the next committee meeti.l}_~_of me~iJ=.s .... of the issue. Mr. Williams felt there would not be enough time before the Comm November 7 election to discuss the impact of the measure. 9/6/72 Vote was it~ken on the motion Cl,~,~~Clt~q._ Motion carried unanimously. Approve .. __ ...._. ~....J .' ---_.._._~~--_..... -_._.,._.~.._-~,_...,. . , J. Council Minutes - July 24 and 26, and August 14, 1972 as circulated. Approve K.Mall Regulations - Administrative hearing held on the proposed mall regulations at the direction of the Council resulted in further revisions of the ordinance~. Copies of the revised regulations were previously distributed to Council members.' The revisions and re-enactment of the regulations are also in line with City Attorney's opinion that the original ordinance could be subject to Court challenge as to the form of adoption. . Assistant Manager reviewed propos.ed ordinance, saying there are no major chant/les I in the authorized or prohibited activities. Some changes have occurrred in specific areas because of problems encountered in enforcement or lack of need for I enforcement. These changes have to do with (1) declaring purpose of the mall in that it reflects uses of some of the facilities rather than a blanket statement of purposes; (2) prohibiting climbing on structures not inteded for climbing, . primarily the central fountain and covering structures; (3) permitting seeing- eye dogs in the mall area; (4) issuing of permits for non-commercial activities by staff, requiring Council approval of permits for commercial pursuits; (5) im- proving permit procedures to give interested parties an opportunity to object to issuance or the right of appeal on denial; and enabling issuance in less than I seven days of application if deemed in best interests of applicant and 'City; (6) criteria for permits remaining basically the same as in the original regula- tions, with the addition that it would be an offense for anyone to interfere with or disturb a permitted activity. A section has been added indicating that the Ci ty in granting a permi t is not denying any consti tuionally guaranteed right, but is restricting the area of the mall where that guaranteed activity can be conducted; i.e., directing the place of the activity as distinguished from tne :activity itself. , . IAssistant Manager noted that in considering the ordinance the Council in a sense ~would be conducting a public hearing, this at the September 11 Council meeting. ~Mrs. Beal ruled however that public comment would be heard at this time. Vern Hoffman, 873 Willamette Street, questioned the reason for not prohibiting people from the grassy areas. He was concerned wi th the importance of not blocking , .access to the businesses on the mall. He commended the'Police Chief and the . officers for their tolerance and restraint in handling incidents in that area. Assistant Manager said some of the acti vi ties in terms of behavioral problems on , . the mall are not condoned, but the grassy portions are not intended for pedestrian byways, rather as areas similar to those in parks where peop'le c~. ff!it 'aT!g__r~1..~Jc.' He said there are specific provisions in' the regulations to keep pedestrian ways ,and access to abutting properties open. Police Chief said the gra~sy-areas do Itend to encourage some objectionable activities, but it i~ a ,question of pro- 'hibiting certain conduct or just sitting on the grass, which a fairly large number ~people..~c!o '~l1jC?y_. -. _.- -'-~ ---~ -- ,--- ---- .~-~- "----_._-_.~. - -. -2~9 9/11/72 - 7