07/09/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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~^.~ ..' Al Driver Public Works director for Lane County, said it was agreed on a field trip with the ~lanning Commission that plantings would be used to protect the bike path . C()mm . 'rather than a guardrail. 6/.27/73 Vote was taken on the motion with additional stipulations as stated. Motion car- A~prove : ried unanimously. B. [Code Amendment, Sale of Used Merchandise - George Stathakis requested amendments to Sections 3.425, 3.430, and 3.435 of City Code, requirements of which he feels now would inhibit his proposal to accept used merchandise on consignment and sell it . for the owners. He asked deletion of the requirement that used merchandise be held ; for seven days before resale and of the prohibition against accepting merchandise ; from persons under 21 years of age. Copies of memo were previously distributed to : Council members giving staff analysis of problems in attempting to control sale of stolen merchandise should the requested amendments be made. ~ .._- -->.~..._._,-' ,,-.- . -,' .-...-.......... ._....:.--._-._----.-..-._~-.~,.-._..-..~+ .... -~... _. - _. _r__> _'_'_^ ____________._.____ .-. Mr. Stathakis described the business operation he is proposing to establish, a ,garage sale at a permanent location. He felt that the seven-day holding require- ~ment would require more storage space and correspondingly increase his overhead . expense. Under his present proposal of charging a 10-15% consignment fee he thought :it would be difficult to pay storage rental and make a suitable profit. Mr.Stathakis :reviewed considerations taken into account in trying to operate this type business :and staying within the Code as now written, but felt it would be too restrictive . ito permit a successful operation. He had expected a major portion of his business .. to involve college students, but that would be prohibited by the restriction on accepting used merchandise from anyone under 21. In addition, Mr. Stathakis related :his experience in establishing the business at 341 VanBuren Street, subsequently I :discovered to be 350 VanBuren Street in a zone in which the proposed operation 'would not be permitted. :Upon questioning from Council members, Mr. Stathakis further explained the proposed. , :operation and his idea that it would to a certain extent aid in the recovery of I .stolen goods. Police Chief agreed there was no regulation of private garage sales other than present manpower permits. But the present Code requirement for the seven-day holding period does aid in allowing identification of stolen property. He noted the significant number of young people involved in stealing and disposal of stolen goods and felt the present requirements should be kept. Consignment of .;-merchandise through the Thrift and Gift Shop was mentioned but it was not- kn~Wn , ; whether consignors were advised of the seven-day holding per lod. \Manager said he would have to support the Police Department's thinking that the requested amendments would weaken their position with regard to recovery of stolen ~ goods. Police Chief, in answer to Councilwoman Beal, said lowering the age limit -- !might be appropriate in view of Mr. Stathakis' point that legislative action has ilowered the voting age. Manager said the fact remains that there are many young ; thieves in the community who may be discouraged from the activity by the present . Code prohibition. ;Councilman Williams wondered whether permitting younger people to sell used mer- :chandise would tend to encourage their taking it to a business operation where 'it could be found by police rather than throwing it away or selling to buddies. :Mr. Stathakis felt it could; he recognized that stolen merchanidse will be dis- [posed of in some manner regardless of the regulations. He was primarily interested tin getting a business started and at the same time helping to recover stolen property. I 'Councilman Wood indicated support of staff's position. Mayor Anderson noted public !hearing would be necessary which would provide an opportunity for further discussion :of the requested amendment. City Attorney noted that although the State has lowered ]the voting age to 18, the age of majority has not been lowered with regard to other ,legal rights. He said a report could be prepared for the Council, if desired, to jgive detail of problems which might be faced if the requirements are deleted. ,Councilwoman Beal commented on a meeting of antique dealers at which she was made aware of their disapproval of the indiscriminate use of garage sales. She felt '. 'this was a source of disposal of stolen merchandise. The antique dealers are trying to work out a provision either for a licensing procedure for private garage sales or for a restriction on the number of unregulated sales being held. She suggested pbtaining a report on their progress before the public hearing, and at the same time considering further information with regard to whether it would be possible to lower .the age 1 imi t restriction. l Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams to request further examination of the 2l-year age limit. ._--~- -~--- ---- -----~- ------- --..----.--- -- --~- .-~--- ------...J ~"2..S 7/9/73 - 9