Item 3: Ordinance Concerning Dogs on Alder

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Concerning Dogs on Alder Street and Repealing Section 4.427 of the Eugene Code, 1971 Meeting Date: November 14, 2011 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Eugene Police Staff Contact: Lieutenant Doug Mozan www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5164 ISSUE STATEMENT In 1996, the City Council adopted a prohibition on dogs in the business district around the intersection th of East 13 Avenue and Alder Street. Councilor Taylor has introduced an ordinance to repeal the ban on dogs in this neighborhood. The ordinance repeals the entire section 4.427, and thereby permits dogs in this area. September 19, 2011, a public hearing was held to consider an ordinance concerning dogs on th Alder and 13 Streets. No other changes to animal regulations are affected by the proposed ordinance. BACKGROUND In August 1996, the City Council adopted Ordinance 20057, establishing a ban on dogs in the business th district around the intersection of Alder Street and East13 Avenue. The area where dogs are banned th was expanded in November 1996 in Ordinance 20071, and currently includes Alder between East 12 thth and East 14 Avenue, and East 13 Avenue between Pearl and Kincaid Streets. At the initial public hearing on August 5, 1996, 42 people spoke on the topic, with 18 speaking in favor of the ban, and 20 against the ban (the remaining people were neither for nor against). The council discussed the issue at their meeting on August 7, and adopted the ban on August 12, 1996. A public hearing was held on September 19, 2011, and seven people spoke. The ordinance has remained in effect since that date. The original intent of the ban was to address health and safety concerns, as well as congestion, caused by the number of dogs in the business area. At the time the ban was sought, and later enacted, large th groups of people congregated at the East 13 Avenue corridor because of the favorable conditions for pan-handling, and drug sales and use. Many of these people had dogs. Area residents and students reported frightening encounters with aggressive dogs. A ban on dogs was one tool sought to mitigate the problem of lawless behavior among the people congregating in the corridor. At the hearing on September 19, seven people spoke. Six people spoke in favor of retaining the ban on dogs, and one person spoke in favor of lifting a ban on skateboards in this area. th An absence of reported dog problems in the East 13 Avenue corridor has been noted since the ban was implemented. When the occasional student or business owner transits the area with a dog, they are reminded of the ban by police, and respond with little resistance. Residents in the area know the rules, and do not cause conflict with the ordinance. Dog nuisance issues can be addressed immediately because of the ban. If the ban is lifted, addressing issues will not be as timely. While there currently is S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M111114\S1111143.doc