09/09/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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.' from a distance of 20 feet might not require signs so large as to violate the . City sign code. In Section 5.540, paragraph 1: Mr. Ludwick said that the definition of "parking facility" was too broad and asked that the second half of the definition be deleted. In paragraph 4, subparagraph 2: Change the word "person" to the word "firm" or "business." Mr. Ludwick said that his client agreed with the need for signing. He said that recent publicity over towing has resulted in a number of lawsuits and considerable expense for his client. Mr. Ludwick said that towers object to the ordinance requirement that fees be posted on the sides of their trucks, since this would be unsightly and unrelated to other towing work they do. Kenneth R. Moore, PO Box 292, Eugene, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He felt that when businesses abuse their privileges, they must be regulated. He suggested that lettering on signs be required to be visible day and night. Mr. Moore was concerned with the carrying and displaying of firearms by towers. He felt police should check those carrying firearms to see if they had criminal back- grounds. He said towing companies should be liable for the actions of gun-carry- ing employees. He suggested addition of a section to the ordinance which would prevent towers from "cruising" or seeking out illegally parked cars. The council took a five-minute recess. John Detroit, 750 Oak Street, waived his request to speak in light of time consideratlons. James Stenklyft, Sacred Heart Hospital, waived his right to speak in light of . time considerations. Bernard Spielman, 144 Corliss Lane, said he owned Farwell's Towing. He said that one of his drivers had carried a rifle on the job, because "someone was hunting for him." He felt that the City sho~ld not get involved in the business dealings of towing companies, but should leave the business to the laws of supply and demand. Kirt E. Stockwell, 1810 Harris Street, #139, said he was employed by Income Property Management, and was resident manager of Woodside Manor at 1810 Harris Street. He said that tenants of that building pay for private parking spaces and deserve to be able to park in those spaces and not have them usurped by illegal parkers. He said it is the illegal parkers, not the towing companies, who are violating the law. Mr. Stockwell said that prior to the publicity regarding towing, Emerald Towing had patrolled his building's parking lot at random intervals. He felt that the word "cruising" did not apply to such contractual patrolling. John Walkys, 16-f/2 West 6th, represented Scott and Sons towing. He said that the cost of signing and fee posting required by this ordinance would be passed on to the customers who use the lots. €V . MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 9, 1981 Page 12