CC Minutes - 08/07/00 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Pap~ returned to the meeting. VI.ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Prostitution-Free Zones, and Adding Sections 4.746, 4.747, 4.748, 4.749 and 4.750 to the Eugene Code, 1971; and an Ordinance Concerning Traffic Congestion Thoroughfares, and Amending Section 5.155 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and an Ordinance Concerning the Penalty for Committing the Crime of Prostitution and Amending Section 4.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971 Councilor Lee raised concern that there was not enough capacity in the system to address the problem of drug addiction in prostitutes as an issue. He commented that the goal of the ordinances was not just to change public behavior but to help prostitutes to get off the cycle of drugs. Councilor Lee, seconded by Councilor Kelly, moved that the council commit to funding approximately $50,000 in additional drug treatment opportunities for prostitutes using grant funds or other funds. In response to a question from Mayor Torrey regarding whether the motion was conditioned on the passage of the prostitution ordinance, Councilor Lee, with the agreement of his second, said that it was. Councilor Lee stressed the importance of having capacity within the system to ensure that drug intervention for prostitutes was possible. Councilor Kelly said that there was no question that the residents in the affected area had a serious problem. He stressed that the council needed to do what was appropriate to keep those residents safe from harassment by prostitutes and "johns." He also stressed the importance of addressing the underlying issues of the prostitution problem as well. He said that it was important to have council, on record, with a commitment to addressing the underlying issues. He suggested having the council representative to the Human Services Commission stress the council's desire to have funding to address those issues. Councilor Meisner raised concern that the motion was sacrificing a solution to address the problems of those committing the crimes. He reiterated Councilor Kelly's comments regarding the funding priorities of the Human Services Commission. Councilor Pap8 commented that there were many social problems in the community. He raised concern over how the funds would be provided for addressing drug addiction in prostitutes. He said that he would not support the motion. Councilor Nathanson said that she would support the ordinance "with no strings attached." She noted that the ordinance was not ward-specific and that the problem could happen in any ward. She stressed that the ordinance benefitted the city at large. Councilor Kelly commented that it was part of the City's responsibility to try to change social problems. He stressed the importance of addressing the underlying issues of prostitution. Councilor Lee stressed the importance of prevention measures instead of punitive measures. He said that changing public behavior took a multiple approach. He said the money would go to a MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 7, 2000 Page 6 Regular Meeting