Item 3: Ordinance on Citation Authority of UO DPS

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assisting UO/DPS officers with essentially a clerical function. This will make Eugene’s officers available for calls for service elsewhere in the city. The ability to issue citations for these crimes will also free up the UO/DPS officers and offenders as it will not be necessary to detain the offender until a Eugene police officer is able to respond. It should be noted that this amendment to EC 4.035 only gives UO/DPS officers the authority to issue citations for crimes; they will not be transporting and lodging offenders. The University of Oregon is very interested in this process and has provided a letter from UO Vice President of Finance and Administration Frances Dyke, supporting the project (see Attachment B). The Eugene Municipal Court and the City Prosecutor have been engaged in discussions regarding the proposal and support the proposed amendment to EC 4.035. When citation authority was granted to the UO in 2003, an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) was established to identify the specific sections of the code for which citations could be issued. The proposed amendment would extend this authority to misdemeanors in the specific code sections as determined in the memorandum of agreement between the City and the UO that are within the lawful authority of UO/DPS public safety officers. The University and EPD chose to schedule this amendment in the fall when students returned to campus rather than during the summer months. Members of the Department of Public Safety met personally with the ASUO president Emma Kalloway and she voiced her support for the proposed changes to the code in a recent Register-Guard article. They also worked with the ASUO and the University, City of Eugene and neighborhood partners in the Good Neighborhood program in the near-campus areas. On October 12, 2009, Chief Tripp and staff met with the Residence Housing Association regarding the proposed expansion of citation authority for UO/DPS with favorable comments and support from that group. RELATED CITY POLICIES The City of Eugene has previously granted authority to the UO/DPS officers to enforce certain municipal violations if there is cause for them to do so, including some violations for which there are no comparable offenses under State law, such as violation of the City’s noise ordinance. Although granting such authority for municipal violations is not a common practice, the City of Eugene has also previously extended enforcement authority to Lane County Animal Regulation to enforce municipal code violations regarding animal offenses. The City Council has two vision statements that are reflected in this proposal: Safe Community – a community where people feel safe, valued and welcome; and Effective, Accountable Municipal Government – a government that works openly, collaboratively, and fairly with the community to achieve measurable and positive outcomes. COUNCIL OPTIONS This item is scheduled for public hearing only. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION This item is scheduled for public hearing only. Staff will take questions after the hearing and provide responses in advance of the November 9, scheduled date of action. Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091019\S0910193.doc