CC Minutes - 02/22/99 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ordinance, he said that there were other methods to address the issues involved. He said the council had the power to address those issues through the existing court system. Regarding the mall closure, Mr. Prince said that it was inappropriate to close what he termed an urban center with public transit and late night and early morning activities, such as bars, night clubs, and restaurants. He urged the council to use the existing system to address the problems on the mall. M. V. Lazar, PO Box 10241, Eugene, said he owned two businesses in downtown and supported the revised ordinances, saying they were the best thing that had happened downtown since the Willamette Street and Olive Street openings. He also suggested that Broadway Street be opened as soon as possible. Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing. Ms. Nathanson indicated interest in hearing the circumstances surrounding Mr. Seymour's anecdotal testimony, saying on face value it "sounds astonishing." Ms. Nathanson requested information about the City's experience with video surveillance, and its feasibility and appropriateness, adding she believed that would raise other questions about civil liberties. Ms. Nathanson noted that many people called for greater use of the Municipal Court system, and asked staff to briefly discuss the likelihood of that approach given limited funding. Ms. Nathanson said she would like to hear more about selective enforcement as asserted by those offering testimony. Mr. Kelly said he was concerned about the integrity of Eugene's legal system. His concern was focused on due process. He acknowledged that the ordinances had a positive effect in many ways in downtown but he was troubled by the civil liberties aspect of the issue. Mr. Kelly noted that violation of the mall rules had been removed from the exclusion ordinance. Mr. Kelly requested suggestions from staff and those offering testimony that would strengthen the judicial review element of the exclusion ordinance so it would be made plainer to those threatened with exclusion that they could seek judicial review. Ms. Taylor was also troubled by the issue of civil liberties and supportive of changes made by the council to the ordinances. It did not seem right to her that a part of downtown should be closed at any time. Ms. Taylor suggested that problems on the mall increased at the same time the skateboard and dog ban on 13th Avenue was adopted by the council. She was sympathetic to those who complained about human excrement in alleyways but pointed out that was not on the mall. Ms. Taylor questioned whether additional rest rooms would help. She believed the additional police presence rather than ordinances had improved conditions downtown. She was bothered by the construction of fences around the planters where people used to sit. Ms. Taylor believed the mall had been a more inviting place to be in the past. Mr. Meisner asked how the exclusion ordinance's five-day appeal process was communicated to those receiving an exclusion. He also noted that the curfew was not unique to the mall, pointing out that City parks also have closing times, and asked how those curfews and exclusion orders in MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 22, 1999 Page 8 7:30 p.m.