Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Jean Tate , Olive Street, Eugene, a downtown resident, spoke in support of the exclusion zone ordinance to help make downtown a safer place. She encouraged members of the audience to spend time in downtown as safety was increased when there were more people on the streets. Aaron Nelson , Alder Street, Eugene, expressed compassion and solidarity with downtown business owners who were dealing with vandalism, violence and racism. He questioned what effect the exclusion zone would have, other than giving police more reasons to harass people. He feared the people likely to be harassed fit the stereotype for drug users and homeless people, and the exclusion zone would lead to increased intimidation and only displace people to other neighborhoods rather than solve the problem. th Joe Alsup , West 38 Avenue, Eugene, said he was a Police Commission member, but speaking as a private citizen. He regretted the loss of Chris Beamud as the Police Auditor. He admired police officers and felt the chief was an honorable man, but it was a mistake to withhold a file from the auditor. He said the commu- nity had clearly expressed its desire for an independent auditor and hoped the council would express its support for the auditor office and Ms. Beamud’s efforts. Drix , Eugene, said that youth had always been downtown and many came from other communities to learn about life on the streets. He hoped that older people would come downtown to share their wisdom and help prevent inappropriate behavior and promote civility. Dr. James Dean , Braewood Lane, Eugene, said it was obvious that there were documented, serious, illegal behavioral problems occurring downtown and they affected Betty Snowden, other people and businesses, and educational institutions. He said the issue had been somewhat clouded by the preceding discussion. He suggested the issue was not an exclusion zone; it was the exclusion of individuals who harassed others and acted as criminals or racists and behaved in other deplorable ways. He asked the council to carefully consider the ordinance because the attacks must be stopped and the problem solved. Alex Brokaw , Sorrel Way, Eugene, said she worked in the downtown area. She noted the comments of an earlier speaker who identified transients being downtown as a complex problem. She said it might be a complex problem, but downtown business should not pay the entire price. She hoped that downtown Eugene would not turn into another Camden, New Jersey, which was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the country. She urged the council to pass the original ordinance proposed by Councilor Clark and to place and retain sufficient police downtown to enforce it. Mike Quillin , Kismet Way, Eugene, said it seemed the Eugene police had recently begun taking pleasure in their power over citizens, and by resisting the actions and inquiries of the Police Auditor had, in fact, become dishonest. He said an initial positive experience with police when he moved to Eugene 14 years ago had been eroded in the intervening years. He said people should not be targeted on the basis of their appearance. He no longer taught his children to respect police officers as honorable people working for the public good, but in recent years taught them to avoid contact with the police unless absolutely necessary. He asked the council to make every effort to restore honor to the Police Department before establishing an exclusion zone. Kathy Gain , Harris Street, Eugene, said she was alarmed by the selective persecution that would likely occur in the exclusion zone. She found it curious that the zone was being proposed at the same time that Metro Housing was renting housing and commercial space next door to the WOW Hall, and questioned whether it was an attempt to get rid of it. She said the ordinance was unconstitutional and did not think taxpayers could afford the costs of legal challenges that would occur. She was puzzled that the ordinance targeted drug-dealing and possession and preferred that the police target more violent and serious offenses. She asked what would happen if someone had a medical marijuana card or musicians smoked pot on a