CC Minutes - 02/26/07 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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for another drunk driving crash. The ordinance did not address the seriousness of the fact that many of the drinking fans would be driving home at potentially illegal blood-alcohol levels. Allowing for the expansion sent the wrong message regarding safety. Game day was no different than any other for preventing drunk driving crashes. Martin KlosMD, , 82518 Howe Lane, Creswell, identified himself as a member of the Lane County Mental Health Advisory Committee and chair of the Lane County Coalition to Prevent Substance Abuse. The coalition was currently hosting discussions with the UO and other stakeholders regarding alcohol consump- tion surrounding game days at Autzen Stadium. Until the City of Eugene or the UO was faced with a public relations “disaster,” public drinking associated with football at UO home games would be acceptable. He said thoughtful changes in alcohol related policies to ban drinking at other university and National Football League (NFL) stadiums only came about when there were enough deaths or riots relating to the alcohol consumption that the public took up the fight themselves and worked to shut off the flow of alcohol. Dr. Klos saw an opportunity to support improved community norms as well as to prevent future disasters if the City Council considered looking at an approach that combined two of the proposed options. Option 3, issuance of permits for alcohol consumption, preferred by City Manager Taylor, would allow Oregon Liquor Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) jurisdiction in the areas where alcohol was being served. It would involve the property owners in the enforcement and publicity surrounding public drinking. This option, combined with an amendment to City Ordinance 19092, Option 2, would lead to a logical, optimal step towards improving public health and safety. Dr. Klos proposed amending the ordinance to read that “public consumption would be allowed until kickoff for the game” rather than until two hours after the game. Allowing alcohol consumption up to the point of driving home two hours after a game was counter to public safety. An ordinance that stopped public drinking at kickoff would also support the UO if and when it decided to stop allowing halftime passes that permitted people to return to their vehicles and get drunk again for the second half. Many universities implemented such policies to stem the tide of fan behavior. Anne Pratt , 42000 Holden Creek Lane, Springfield, identified herself as a member of MADD and Crime Victims United, which lobbied for tougher driving-under-the-influence (DUI) legislation. She said it used to be illegal to drink in a UO parking lot, but it occurred anyway, and had subsequently been legalized. There were now proposals on the table to make illegal lots legal, enabling fans to drink from four hours before the game until two hours after the game. The proposal, while addressing the legality, did not address the real issue, which was that the party goers drove onto city streets and freeways. This was a tragedy waiting to happen. She saw merit in options 3 and 4, but favored Option 5. Ms. Pratt shared a story of the death of her 23-year-old son caused by a drunk driver, who subsequently spent time in prison. She urged the councilors to address the issue of drinking and driving by enforcing existing laws in the parking lots. Gillian Leichtling , 111 SW Columbia Street, Suite 1200, Portland, from RMC Research in Portland, was the evaluator for the Lane County Coalition to Prevent Substance Abuse. She cited the impacts of various alcohol control policies and enforcement at tailgating parties and community events. Alcohol control polices on underage drinking at campus events and community events reduced the likelihood of alcohol sales to underage drinker, reduced the number of incidents, and reduced the number of students treated for alcohol intoxication. Charles Biggs , 540 Antelope Way, asked what it takes for a crime to be recognized as a hate crime in Eugene. MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 26, 2007 Page 2 Regular Meeting