05/09/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e the ordinance is adopted, the department would begin to notify businesses of their need for compliance within 30 to 60 days, with a goal of having the program in affect by July 1. Councilor Holmer asked what the cost of the license would be. Mr. Gleason replied approximately $250. Councilor Ehrman asked how many businesses in Eugene this would affect. Mr. Mann estimated four to eight businesses would be affected. Councilor Ehrman asked Mr. Barkovic, City Attorney's Office, if this ordinance would work with the State law. Mr. Barkovic said he did not believe so; the City cannot prohibit what the State permits in the area of criminal law, and there is no such exposure in this case. He believed a ban with a jail penalty would create a conflict with the State. He did not anticipate this would be a problem. Mr. Mann referred the council to a collection of paraphernalia on display. Councilor Ehrman asked what the department's experience is with the current juvenile ordinance regarding endangerment; Mr. Mann said he checked back two years and could find no prosecutions. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. Liz Thwing, 2450 Pioneer Pike, said she was speaking for CoSAC and the Junior League of Eugene. She said she had eight to nine years of involvement in the areas of substance abuse education, legislation, and information. Volunteers alone cannot eradicate the drug problem in the community. There must be legislative support and laws to provide valid sanctions and deterrents to the sale and manufacture of the drugs and paraphernalia. Ms. Thwing said that her experience tells her that Oregon is in desperate need of legislation to control the sale of illicit substances and drug paraphernalia. Ms. Thwing expressed the opinion that drugs do not exist independently of drug parapher- nalia. She expressed gratitude for the introduction of the ordinance, mod- eled on the DEA Paraphernalia Model Act description of paraphernalia. She expressed the hope that Oregon would join other states with paraphernalia regulations. Ms. Thwing said it was not in the best interest of the communi- ty, particularly with the new direction toward economic development, to maintain notoriety as one of the best places in the nation to obtain drug paraphernalia. Ms. Thwing said the ordinance would not eliminate drug use, but she hopes it will IIregulatell it. She said it was hypocritical and incon- sistent to teach drug awareness and outlaw certain drugs while permitting the unrestricted merchandising of paraphernalia to do drugs. Ms. Thwing said banning paraphernalia is not the total answer, but a statement that the community cares about its children. Rob Willis, 827 East 35th Place, said Eugene needs people who care for their children and neighbors. When people sell drug paraphernalia, they do not care about people. Eugene needs caring people. Mr. Willis supported regu- lating the sale of drug paraphernalia. Ben Yem, 2271 Ironwood Drive, said he attended Cal Young Middle School and was in the eighth grade. He said that as a student he sees many people who MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 9, 1988 Page 4