Item 4: Ordinance Concerning Used Merchandise Dealers

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Ordinance Concerning Used Merchandise Dealers, and Amending Sections 4.989 and 4.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971 Meeting Date: February 13, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 4 Department: Eugene Police Staff Contact: Captain Elvia Williams www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5114 ISSUE STATEMENT This is an opportunity for the council to take action on the proposed ordinance concerning used merchandise dealers. The ordinance would amend sections 4.989 and 4.990 of the Eugene Code 1971, which establishes an electronic reporting system for used merchandise dealers, directs the City Manager to establish an annual fee system which reflects the cost of providing electronic automated reporting services and clarifies the types of items that would be subject to mandatory reporting. BACKGROUND The City Council held a work session on January 11 and a public hearing on January 23, 2006, to discuss the proposed amendments to the Used Merchandise Dealer Ordinance. At the request of Councilor Papé, an alternative funding option has been included in Attachment C of this packet. In this option, the City of Eugene would fund the entire cost of implementing the electronic automated reporting system. If this option were chosen, the draft ordinance (see attachment A) would require an additional edit to section (4) Reporting Fees. The City of Eugene’s existing Used Merchandise Dealer Ordinance was adopted in 1996. Since that time, this region has experienced an explosion of property crimes. In Eugene, the number of burglary cases increased 15.87% between 2004 and 2005. Updating the Used Merchandise Dealers Ordinance to require automated reporting and eliminate the time-consuming manual reporting method is an important strategy for law enforcement. This strategy is designed to identify the repeat criminals involved in property thefts and to create a better mechanism for returning stolen items to the lawful owners. The proposed ordinance builds on the existing code by modernizing the system to require electronic reporting which will provide law enforcement with ‘real time’ data on sales that can be matched to stolen property. A significant aspect of this proposal is the coordination of a regional approach from the largest law enforcement agencies: the Eugene Police Department (EPD), Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and the Springfield Police Department. All three agencies currently have a Used Merchandise or Secondhand Dealer Ordinance which regulates stores in their jurisdiction. Over the last three years, representatives from the three agencies have developed this proposal to standardize the regulations for all stores and create an automated reporting system that provides law enforcement agencies with real- time data on goods being purchased by used merchandise dealers. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060213\S0602134.doc