Item 3: PH on Ordinance Concerning Used Merchandise Dealers

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The proposed ordinance has a number of stakeholders with varying perspectives. In summary: The Public – The Eugene community has much to gain from this ordinance because the ability of law enforcement agencies to collaborate to reduce the easy sale of stolen property is enhanced. Law Enforcement -- A regional automated reporting system will provide any law enforcement agency with internet access and password permission access to the database and the ability to match merchandise to lists of stolen serialized property. Shop Owners – have mixed reactions to the proposed ordinance ranging from support to rejection, which they have shared at public meetings and through correspondence with EPD. The proposed tiered fee schedule may cause some stores which sell very few items to cease to do business as secondhand dealers, thus consolidating the market share among the remaining stores. Most of the shops that have participated in the pilot project are ready to continue with automated reporting and the point-of-sale system. They have already invested in the infrastructure (computers and DSL) and have made automated reporting an integral part of their business. Courts – Eugene’s Municipal Court could experience some minor additional workload for administrative hearings, although experience in other jurisdictions shows this to be few in number. Circuit Court and the District Attorney (DA) could experience additional criminal filings. The DA is prosecuting “C” felony cases such as Theft I Sales (a typical pawn shop offense). Quicker discovery of the stolen property often leads to quicker resolution in Criminal Court. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends that the council take action to amend the ordinance concerning used merchandise dealers, Section 4.989 and 4.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971 at the February 13, 2006 meeting. SUGGESTED MOTION No motion is required for the public hearing. If the council chooses to take action on January 23, the following motion is suggested: Move to adopt an ordinance concerning used merchandise dealers, and amending sections 4.989 and 4.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971. ATTACHMENTS A. Proposed Used Merchandise Dealers Ordinance B. Automated Reporting Fact Sheet C. Proposed Funding Model FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Captain Elvia Williams, Investigation Division Telephone: 682-5114 Staff E-Mail: elvia.p.williams@ci.eugene.or.us L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060123\S0601233.doc