Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

vernmental agreement (IGA) granting that citation authority. He said there were some violations that would be inappropriate or inapplicable to the IGA. He stated that the Police Chief supported the ordinance. In response to comments from Councilor Poling, Captain Stronach clarified that DPS officers had the authority to stop and search and make arrests on probable cause anywhere, not just on university property, but in practice did not engage in enforcement activities outside of the near-campus area. Councilor Poling commended DPS for moving forward and assuming more responsibility for public safety on campus and in adjacent areas. Mr. Ruiz noted that while campus officers had the authority to take action on probable cause under state law, the ordinance would only apply if a violation occurred on university property. Councilor Taylor questioned how trespass could occur if the university campus was open to the public. Captain Stronach explained that the University of Oregon was private property, but the premises were open to the public. He said DPS did not contact all campus visitors; officers concentrated on those who appeared to be engaged in inappropriate or criminal behavior. He said enforcement would be similar to the downtown exclusion ordinance, which required a violation before someone was excluded from the area. Mayor Piercy said the ordinance would be a tool for increasing public safety on and near campus and addressing the concerns of adjacent neighborhoods about the interface with students living in the area. She was pleased with the collaboration between the university and EPD and the support of neighbors for the proposed ordinance modification. She regarded it as a step toward community policing. Councilor Zelenka asked for a copy of the IGA and a list of violations that would be covered under the ordinance to be included in agenda materials when the item came before the council for action. Police Chief Pete Kerns said the violations the University of Oregon would be authorized to issue citations for had not yet been determined; those would be set forth in the IGA signed by the City Manager and the university. The initial list would be limited to those where there was the greatest need, such as criminal trespass, and expanded if necessary in the future. He said the ordinance would authorize the City to expand that agreement with the university. Councilor Zelenka asked that the agenda packet contain the current IGA and included violations, in addition to the violations that would be in the expanded list. Mayor Piercy stated that the hearings and public records were closed for items 1 and 2, which were land use matters. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jon Ruiz City Manager MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 19, 2009 Page 5 Public Hearing