07/29/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent e of the council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. Council Bill 2345 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Obie, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18846. VII. ORDINANCE RELATING TO MINOR LIQUOR/MARIJUANA POSSESSION (memo, ordinance distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Jim Packard, Chief of Police. Chief Packard stated that concern has been expressed about an introduction of new laws and that is not the case with this ordinance. This is just an economic and administrative change for the benefit of the City. These are laws already enforced by the Eugene Police Department. Due to District Court's difficulty in scheduling, officers have had to appear on their days off, which has caused problems for staff in calculating days off, as well as causing budget problems. Sometimes, violations have been split between Municipal and District courts. Now, all the money on these violations is paid to District Court with about 50 percent of the money coming back to the City, but staff is not sure the City is receiving accurate revenues. The attempt is to save the City some money. This e would increase revenues to the City from the fines imposed, reduce the frequency of times an officer is required to cite a person into both Municipal and District courts resulting from the same arrest, and reduce the amount of police overtime because of better coordination and scheduling of Municipal Court. This would not prohibit any behavior that is not already prohibited by State law; it would merely enable the Police Department to cite violators into Municipal Court rather than into District Court. Mr. Hamel asked for clarification in the ordinance as to whether possession of marijuana laws would affect only those under 21. Mr. Packard stated that the minor in possession of alcohol laws would affect only those under 21, but the possession of marijuana laws would affect everyone. Ms. Miller stated that she would not vote for this ordinance if it were for activities not already prohibited by State law. This does not change the activities of the Police Department, just which court the violators go to. If the statutes are changed by the State legislature, then the City should follow suit. Chief Packard stated that that is the intent. There is already a City ordinance dealing with minors in possession of alcohol. CB 2347--An ordinance concerning possession of liquor by persons under 21 years of age and the use or possession of less than one ounce of marijuana; amending Sections 4.115 and 4.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971; adding a new Section 4.240 to that code; and declaring an emergency. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 29, 1981 Page 11