Item 3: Ordinance on Unruly Gatherings

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Concerning Unruly Gatherings; Adding Sections 4.670 and 4.672 to the Eugene Code, 1971; Repealing Section 4.775 of that Code; and Amending Sections 4.990 and 4.996 of that Code Meeting Date: November 19, 2012 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Eugene Police Staff Contact: Lt. David Natt www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5642 ISSUE STATEMENT This public hearing provides the community an opportunity to provide comments regarding a proposed ordinance to address neighborhood livability issues arising from unruly gatherings throughout the City. BACKGROUND In July 2010, the Neighborhood Livability Working Group (NLWG) formed to help address behaviors and practices in the neighborhoods around the University of Oregon that negatively impact quality of life and public resources. Staffed by the City Manager’s Office and Eugene Police Department, and with participation from campus area neighborhood associations, the University of Oregon, Lane County, rental property managers/owners and college students, the NLWG identified a number of strategies to improve campus area livability, presenting a report to the City Council in September 2011. One of those strategies was the development of a Eugene social host ordinance. The traditional approach to resolving noise, behavior issues and related problems has been increased police response followed by an aggressive enforcement action against individual party attendees for violations such as minor-in-possession. This costly approach has not been effective as existing ordinances do not provide a sufficient deterrent effect, and potential offenders have learned how to avoid the most significant sanctions. However, the experience of other communities with large higher education institutions has shown that a social host ordinance can be an effective tool in deterring the hosting of large parties in near-campus environments. A staff team with representatives from Neighborhood Services and the Police Department has developed a draft ordinance, and the attached draft includes best practices identified in the NLWG report. That stakeholder group also has provided input throughout the process, as the ordinance was initially being drafted, and in the review of subsequent drafts. Staff have also revised the ordinance in response to the council and community feedback during the two previous work session cycles. S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M121119\S1211193.doc