04/23/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e could be towed a short distance so that the parking space could be cleared. Mr. Holmer stated that the committee had begun its work with a commitment to the rights of the property owners, stating that the committee developed an alternative method for the property owner to protect his/her rights in addition to the towing option. Mr. Holmer said he resented the racist comment of "being called everything but a white man" as stated by one of the individuals pre- senting testimony. In regard to the driveway problem at Northwest Christian College, Mr. Holmer believed that this situation was beyond the scope of the proposed ordinance. He hoped that this problem could be addressed under existing police powers. In response to another question, he stressed that the ordinances will apply to all towing companies. Responding to other issues raised during the testimony, City Attorney Keith Martin stated that a private property owner should discuss the action of booting an illegally parked vehicle with his/her lawyer. He stated that attaching a cement-filled bucket to unauthorized vehicles was being used as a remedy by some Eugene parking lot owners. In regard to the issue of cars blocking driveways, Mr. Martin stated that some of the ordinance provisions not currently in the Eugene Code addressed this situation, explaining that vehicles in the public way blocking a driveway currently required a citation prior to removal. He said this requirement was necessary to protect the City's obligations to the public. He said the committee addressed the situation of vehicles blocking a driveway on private property, stating that the proposed ordinance would allow the removal of the vehicle or the issuance of a citation. In response to a question, Sergeant Vic Mann of the committee stated that police response to a citation situation will depend on the area in which the vehicle was located. While he said the Eugene Police Deparment could not promise a response time, he stated that 30 minutes would be a normal reponse time for a low priority call. Councilor Hansen questioned why the present ordinance was being modified after only two years to provide more support to the individual illegally parked. Mr. Gleason responded that the City Council had requested when it originally dealt with the issue that it be kept informed of any complaints filed with the City. As a result of the complaints filed, he stated that the City Council directed the committee to be formed. Mayor Keller added that extensive com- plaints about signing, treatment, and other related issues were received during the summer from visitors to Eugene. He felt that these complaints in addition to those referred to by Mr. Gleason motivated the council to form the committee. Councilor Nichols commented that the issues of parking and towing have taken up much of the council's time since her appointment. She questioned the feasi- bility of using parking control officers to issue citations. Mr. Gleason stated that they could issue citations, but explained that these officers patrolled specific areas and could only respond to those parking lots within their areas. He stated that the Police Department will respond to calls outside the regular beat sectors if officers were available. In response to a question, Sergeant Mann stated that the parking control officers work an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. Mr. Holmer added that the committee felt that any penalty for illegal parking should be severe enough to be a deterrent and be sufficient to compensate the cost involved in the issuance of the citation. He felt the council should continue study of the process if approved so that fees could be modified to protect the rights of the private property owners. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 23, 1984 Page 6