CC Minutes - 06/08/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Brian Simonitch, 208 East 2nd Avenue, stated that he was a US military veteran and respected the American flag, but that he believed the flag proposed as a veterans memorial atop Skinner Butte was garish and unnecessary symbolism. He quoted Samuel Johnson: "Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels." Ellen Klowden, 1093 East 25th Avenue, stated that she was a social worker and had been an assistant case worker at White Bird for nine months. She said she had become acquainted with persons who declined to seek social and medical services because it would require that they admit they were homeless. She said the experience had convinced her that homelessness should be decriminalized. She said she also believed the proposed mall closure ordinance was an infringement on the civil rights of citizens. Joel Wayne London, Bertelson Road and West 7th Avenue, stated that he was a peacetime veteran of the US military and was homeless. He requested that the council help the homeless help themselves by extending the proposed camping ordinances, that the homeless not be forced into desolate areas with inadequate sanitation facilities, and that dumpsters be provided for disposal of trash by persons sleeping in vehicles in industrially zoned areas. He said that he did not appreciate that business owners had threatened to shoot persons sleeping in cars. Robert Williams, 355 West 2nd Avenue, stated that he had come to Eugene as a student and had stayed because he was attracted to the support it provided for disabled persons. He described experiences with police in which he said officers were abusive and suggested that police be given training in problem-solving techniques. Ronnie Chase, 1430 Willamette Street #188, stated that he was concerned about many issues in Eugene. He said he lived in his truck, but did not consider himself homeless. He said he had a job, paid taxes, and did volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. He said he understood the concerns of business in industrially zoned areas and urged that all allegations of misconduct be investigated. Lou Shackelford, 1012 West 4th Avenue #3 --was not present when 'invited to speak. Mayor Torrey determined there was no one else present wishing to speak and closed the Public Forum. II. ACTION: ORDINANCES CONCERNING THE DOWNTOWN MALL Senior Management Analyst Janice Bohman reviewed council consideration and public comment regarding two ordinances concerning the downtown mall. She described the intended effects of the ordinances, how they were similar to ordinances in effect in other areas of the City, and changes which had been made to them since they were initially considered by the council. She noted that if the ordinances were enacted, a revenue source for the cost of signage required would need to be determined since the previous practice of using Urban Renewal District resources for such expenses was no longer possible. In response to a question from Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bohman stated that the proposed ordinance providing for closure of the mall between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. did not include a clause providing for MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 1998 Page 4 7:30 p.m.