CC Minutes - 05/23/05 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Roll call vote; the amendment to the motion failed, 6:2; councilors Poling and Solomon voting in favor. Roll call vote; the main motion as amended passed, 7:1; Councilor Poling voting in opposition. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance Concerning Standards for Police Uniforms; Adding Section 2.665 to the Eugene Code, 1971; and Providing for an Effective Date City Manager Taylor said this ordinance was being considered on a recommendation from the Police Commission. He noted that Police Commissioner John Brown was available to answer questions. Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. Marlin Otto, 525-A Highway 99 North, said his company did not take issue with the ordinance, but understood the spirit and purpose of it. He requested that in enforcing the ordinance the City keep safety in mind. He stated that his business contracted with 99 percent of the alarm companies in the area and his officers handled approximately 49 alarms in a week, a service no longer handled by the Eugene Police Department (EPD). He explained that his employees were often responding to alarms in the backs of warehouses or on other private properties and it was imperative that they were immediately recognizable as security personnel. He underscored that his company had no interest in impersonating law enforcement. Floyd Prozanski, PO Box 11511, State Senator, stated that he was "wearing two hats" as he was also testifying as a member of the Police Commission. He supported the ordinance. He said the ordinance would keep individuals other than members of the EPD from wearing or using or authorizing the use of any part of the police uniforms. He added that some exemptions for other sworn law enforcement officers were made and there would be a transition clause allowing time for a security company that would be financially impacted to change its uniform. He reported that Senate Bill 547, a bill that would parallel what the commissioners were asking the City Council to do, passed through the Senate and was now in the House Judiciary Committee. After some review, it had been determined that it would not be possible to create a statewide law to accomplish the intent of the ordinance as there were too many different uniforms that sworn officers wore. The State law would only prohibit using a badge or identification to impersonate an officer. Mayor Piercy closed the public hearing. Councilor Pap~ asked Eugene Police Chief Bob Lehner if the City had been experiencing problems. Chief Lehner responded that there were not presently any security firms whose uniforms could be confused with those of the EPD. City Manager Taylor affirmed for Councilor Bettman that the council could take action at the present meeting with unanimous council consent. Mayor Piercy called for a five-minute break at 8:57 p.m., in part to allow legal counsel to determine the ordinance number. The council reconvened at 9:05 p.m. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 23, 2005 Page 10 Regular Session