02/22/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e e - M I NUT E S Eugene City Council Council Chamber--City Hall February 22, 1988 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Freeman Holmer (after 7:45 p.m.), Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Jeff Miller, Roger Rutan, Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten. COUNCILOR ABSENT: Robert Bennett. The adjourned meeting of February 17, 1988, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon was called to order by His Honor Mayor Brian B. Obie. I. PUBLIC HEARING: NO CRUISING ORDINANCE City Manager Micheal Gleason introduced the item. Sergeant Tom Mason of the police traffic team presented the staff report. He reviewed problems that had occurred in areas popular for cruising and enforcement tactics that had been attempted. He said liThe Gut" on South Willamette Street traditionally had required more officers than any other location in the city, and problems continued in the form of nuisances, such as noise, congestion, and litter, as well as more serious threats to property and personal welfare. Mr. Mason said traffic control signs installed in response to a petition received in May 1987 had provided immediate relief to the area, but problems then had shifted to other areas. He said no-cruising ordinances had been successful in many cities, and he reviewed the proposed ordinance drafted by the City Attorney. Mr. Mason described a recent attempt to move cruisers to West 11th Avenue and said cruising activity had dropped off during the winter months, resulting in no impacts elsewhere for police. He said the ordinance addressed a specific problem that police officers had not been able to give the community relief from, and it was not their intent to interfere with persons who had purposeful and legitimate activities. He reviewed enforcement plans and exclusions. Mr. Mason said no guarantees existed that liThe Gut" would remain on West 11th Avenue, and in light of its failure there this winter, he believed the activity would return to South Willamette, which was largely a residential area. He said the Eugene Department of Public Safety believed the anti-cruising ordinance would provide an effective tool to deal with the problem. Ms. Ehrman asked about the process that would be used to identify violators. Mr. Mason said lap computers would be used to enter license MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 22, 1988 Page 1