CC Minutes - 11/13/00 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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parlors an extended period of time to implement the ordinance so that they could get their patrons used to the idea of a non-smoking establishment. Candice Bart, 990 West 7th Avenue, spoke as the executive director of the Lane County Medical Society. She said that the physicians of Lane County supported the smoking ban. Ken Rivernider, 140 Hamilton Avenue, expressed his desire to see the smoking ordinance pass. Ward Chase Fairbairn, 550 East lsth Avenue, spoke against the proposed smoking ordinance. He reminded the council that it had one last chance to resist the zealotry of anti-tobacco forces. He said the smoking ordinance was not an informed or reasonable piece of law and commented that if ventilation and filtration worked in nuclear power plants it would work in a bar. He submitted data from the courthouse in Linn/Benton County that showed the increase in driving- under-the-influence rates in that area after a similar ordinance had been passed in Corvallis. Bill Boyce, representing Eugene Bingo Mania, seconded the testimony of Mr. Fairbairn and added that he had no intention of killing his employees. He said that he had examined the numbers submitted by Tobacco-Free Lane County and said its facts were so "screwed up" that the document was hard to follow. He stated that just driving to the council session was more risky than attending a bar or bingo parlor and breathing secondhand smoke. Mayor Torrey closed the Public Forum and called for remarks from the council. Addressing the students who had reported on the unnecessary actions of the police during parties, Councilor Kelly stated that, whether or not there was public faith in the police complaint system, nothing would ever be done if formal complaints were not made. He said that if a person felt uncomfortable in filing a complaint with the police, the Human Rights office would assist them in filing. Councilor Pap~, speaking to the proposed special response fee ordinance, thanked the members of the ASU© for their work on the alternative ordinance and added that he was so impressed with it that he had submitted it as an alternative in its entirety. Councilor Nathanson called for information from City Manager Jim Johnson on how people from parties broken up by the police were allowed to get themselves home safely. She thanked Mr. Breslow for his comments but noted that the issue had been brewing for more than two years and that there had been overtures from the police and the City to the University and the situation had not been improved. Councilor Taylor expressed a desire to see a timely public process for the downtown visioning document. She acknowledged that there had been an open house before the document was completed but suggested getting public reaction to the final document. Councilor Taylor expressed concern over the proposed special response fee ordinance. She commented that the police response, sometimes, went too far already and raised concern that students would just "head out into the woods" to have parties. She said that her preference would be to not pass the ordinance and said that the amount of police time and financial penalties should be reduced substantially. MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 13, 2000 Page 5 Regular Meeting