CC Minutes - 07/21/08 Public Hearing

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probation and sentencing could have tougher consequences. He encouraged those who had experienced problems to contact the District Attorney. Councilor Solomon could not imagine the council would do less than what was proposed. The council discussed how to improve downtown continually and could not hope that private development alone would accomplish that. Public safety was the City’s job, and the City needed to address the situation and improve safety downtown to facilitate development. She suggested that Mr. Davis could have concluded his remarks by saying “or why are you here?” in regard to the council. She hoped it accepted the challenge. Councilor Clark said he worked downtown and he was downtown everyday. He witnessed the behaviors mentioned everyday. The problem was so real that if there was only one staff person at the Human Rights Center or Police Auditor’s Office, their policy was to lock the door. He thought that spoke volumes about the problem. He wanted those who victimized other people to be removed from the opportunity to do it again. He pointed out that people received restraining orders all the time, and he wanted to do something similar to protect the victim from those who demonstrated a desire to victimize others. He was willing to make changes, but considered the ordinance to be a first step. Councilor Bettman wanted to see text that instituted the exclusion after the commission of the crime, and a tiered approach to the list provided with more description so the council could draw a threshold. She was looking for a more focused and targeted ordinance which she hoped would cost less money and be more effective. Councilor Bettman was astounded to hear the extent to which criminal activity was not being addressed downtown. She said people were hearing about a lack of resources, and every year since she had joined the council the City had increased its funding for public safety and in past years had targeted the downtown area, and surrounding areas, with extra police resources. She asked where that money had gone and why the crimes were not being prosecuted. She asked the City Manager to address why the City kept putting resources into the Police Department but continued to hear the mantra of “insufficient resources.” Mayor Piercy expressed appreciation for the comments of those who spoke and for their concern for the rights of people working and visiting downtown. She said the City had been working on the issue for many years and needed to do something different and better. The situation was being exacerbated by the County’s funding issues. She appreciated the testimony about separating crime from poverty. She said the council had asked for increased police oversight downtown with special controls. She had problems about treating people as guilty before they were found guilty. She wanted miscreants to know the City was serious. Mayor Piercy said that the council was being asked to step up to the problem and take leadership. She asked the City Manager and staff to work with the council on the issue so it could do things better and differently. She noted there was a youth center downtown, but she suggested it was too small and could serve as a seed for the future. D. PUBLIC HEARING: th An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Villard Alley Right-of-Way between East 13 Avenue and East th 15 Avenue; and th An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of East 13 Avenue Right-of-Way East of its Intersection with Franklin Boulevard City Attorney Emily Jerome provided the staff presentation, noting the request from the University of Oregon (UO) th that the City vacate a segment of Villard Alley and a segment of East 13 Avenue. She said the council would consider separate ordinances for the two vacations in the future, but would hold a combined hearing at this time. She noted the single criterion, which was whether the proposed vacations were in the public interest. MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 21, 2008 Page 7 Public Hearing