CC Minutes - 07/25/12 Work Session

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this item. Councilors Taylor and Zelenka agreed to be on this committee. Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to appoint Councilor Taylor and Council Zelenka, to serve as members of the proponents' committee to prepare the argument and rebuttal in favor of the measure. The motion passed 8:0. DOWNTOWN PUBLIC SAFETY ZONE (DPSZ) DISCUSSION Chief Kerns introduced Lt. Sam Kamkar, Community Service Officer Tonee Webber and Sgt. Larry Crompton who were in attendance to respond to questions. He explained that the purpose of the session was to ask the council for direction, as the ordinance is scheduled to sunset in November 2012. Chief Kerns provided a brief history of the Downtown Public Safety Zone (DPSZ) and data to illustrate how the exclusion zone was working. Lt. Kamkar reviewed the exclusion process and described the changes that had been made to the program in response to council concerns and suggestions. Chief Kerns informed the council that EPD now publicizes data about exclusions on the City's website, making access to public records easy and free. He also noted that his staff will send summaries and quarterly reports to the council about the number of exclusion notices and the adjudication details from Municipal Court indicating if the exclusions were granted or not. Chief Kerns outlined the council's options: 1. Renew and extend DPSZ 2. Eliminate the 90 -day exclusion (this is the most common type of exclusion) 3. Allow DPSZ to sunset in November 2012 The Mayor and councilors asked questions and voiced concerns about the program, including: • The effectiveness of the Advocacy Program. • The difference between park exclusions and DPSZ exclusions. • The perception by some that EPD officers target homeless people with trivial violations. • Allegations that officers are issuing notices of exclusion to drive homeless people out of downtown. • The availability of other tools for EPD to remove repeat offenders from downtown. • The cost - effectiveness of DPSZ. • The risk that people who have been excluded from downtown go into nearby areas /neighborhoods instead. TOAST TO CITY HALL: Mayor Piercy spoke about the years that City Hall served the needs of the community and the many meetings and business that were conducted in the building over the years. She expressed excitement about the future and her commitment to moving forward expeditiously on a new City Hall.. Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 1:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, k/UV Michelle Mortensen Deputy City Recorder MINUTES - Eugene City Council July 25, 2012 Page 2 Work Session