03/14/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Bennett asked staff for more information about the time change amendment. Mr. Gleason said staff feels the time change is the most inconsequential of the proposed changes. Mr. Bennett asked why Ms. Wooten picked 11 p.m.. Ms. Wooten said she suggested 11 p.m. because she and Ms. Ehrman saw little activity occurring before that time. Ms. Schue said the cruising starts at different times each weekend. She said she supports starting the ordinance at 10 p.m. Ms. Bascom said she also favors a 10 p.m. starting time because of the amount of time it takes for enforcement to become effective. Roll call vote on the amendment; the motion failed 2:6, with Councilors Ehrman and Wooten voting aye, and Councilors Bennett, Bascom, Rutan, Miller, Schue, and Holmer voting nay. Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to change the starting hour to 10 p.m. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Ms. Wooten, to remove all penalties that subject vehicles to impoundment. Ms. Ehrman said fines are a sufficient penalty for cruisers. e Mr. Bennett asked staff why it originally included the impoundment penalty. Mr. Arnold said the ordinance is modeled after other ordinances, which also include impoundment. He said it is his understanding the Police Division wants the authority to impound vehicles because of its limited ability to enforce the ordinance. He clarified that officers do not have the authority to arrest violators under the ordinance. Mr. Bennett asked if impoundment is considered a crucial factor in other ordinances. Ms. Bascom said it is her understanding that threat of impoundment does constitute an important part of other ordinances. Ms. Wooten said she supports the amendment because it is impossible not to enforce the ordinance in a subjective and discriminatory manner. She noted the Police Division does not yet have lap computers, and computer errors can occur easily. She said she does not feel that impounding vehicles should be based on such an imperfect system. Mr. Loveall said Everett, Washington, has an ordinance that carries a $1,500 maximum fine. He pointed out the citations that police will issue notify offenders their vehicles will be impounded if they continue the unlawful act. He said the Police Division prefers to have voluntary compliance with the law. He said the division needs the pOSSibility of impoundment to ensure the ordinance ;s effective. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 14, 1988 Page 9