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4. ACTION: An Ordinance Concerning Dogs on Alder Street and Repealing Section 4.427 of the Eugene Code, 1971 City Manager Ruiz introduced an ordinance repealing an ordinance adopted in 1996 that banned dogs on Alder Street. He said Councilor Taylor requested the council reconsider the ban. He recalled the public hearing held on the ordinance during which no one spoke in favor of lifting the ban. He further recalled that it was suggested at that time the ban be extended to downtown; the ordinance before the council did not address that issue and the council would discuss the subject at a work session to be scheduled later. Lt. Doug Mozan of the Eugene Police Department was present to answer questions. Councilor Taylor, seconded by Councilor Brown, moved to approve Council Bill 5053 concerning dogs on Alder Street and repealing Section 4.427 of the Eugene Code, 1971. Councilor Taylor believed there were already laws in place to address the problems the ordinance was designed to address. She thought that those who supported the ordinance believed the absence of dogs made their businesses better when the real reason for their success was the presence of students and the support they received from the Eugene Police Department. She recalled that many female professors had opposed the ordinance in 1996 because they could not have their dogs with them in the area late at night to add to their safety. In addition, people with friends in the area could not visit those friends and take their dogs. Councilor Zelenka did not support the motion. He noted that the area in question was in his ward and he had talked to many business owners and none expressed support for removing the ban. Many had contrasted the environment before and after the ban and attributed much of the change to the ban. It was a very small area and Councilor Zelenka did not think the City was punishing anyone by precluding dogs from being there. Councilor Farr had served on the council when the ordinance was initially passed and he recalled that there had been considerable public testimony in support of the ordinance. He did not support the motion. Councilor Clark had been a student at the University of Oregon before the ban was in place and recalled the atmosphere on East 13 Avenue at that time. He thought the ban made a difference in the area and believed that it might also make a difference if applied downtown. He did not support the motion. Councilor Taylor reiterated that there were other ways to address the problems the ban was designed to address. She did not see why responsible dog owners should be punished for the actions of others. She did not think the council should consider only the views of the business owners as there were others using the area in question. She had frequently traveled the area prior to the ban without having a problem. Councilor Taylor suggested that nuisance dogs were generally unlicensed and additional enforcement of licensing laws could address the problems created by such dogs. Roll call vote: The motion failed, 5:2; councilors Taylor and Brown voting no. MINUTES— Eugene City Council November 14, 2011 Page 6 Regular Meeting