Item 3: Ordinance on Unruly Gatherings

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UO students have not been made aware of these provisions. Although the ordinance does not target University of Oregon (UO) students or any other single population group, UO students have been invited to participate at varying levels along with other stakeholders since the Neighborhood Livability Working Group was convened in 2010. Participation has included representation from the UO CommUniversity program, and participation by student members of the West University Neighbors Board. Additionally, the past two ASUO administrations have had an open invitation to participate in the work of the Neighborhood Livability Working Group and have received all materials associated with the drafting and revising of the ordinance. The Office of the Dean of Students has recently created a web page with information about the ordinance, ran a full page ad in the Daily Emerald and provided an article for AroundtheO, a new campus web news and information portal. Since the last council work session, staff accompanied Mayor Piercy and Councilor Zelenka to present information to the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Presidents Council and the ASUO. City staff will continue to work with UO community relations staff to implement strategies to communicate with the UO student community. Option 1 – Extend effective date to allow for additional outreach. The five-person threshold for defining an unruly gathering is too low and could lead to the ordinance being applied in circumstances not originally intended. Option 1 – Amend the definition of unruly gathering to increase the number of people who must be gathered for an event to be considered an “unruly gathering. “ Communications Plan When considering implementation of a social host ordinance, research of other jurisdictions has shown that education is a key component to success. A clear communication strategy will help residents and hosts better understand the ordinance and avoid the consequences of enforcement. The City of Eugene and the University of Oregon will work together using mostly non-paid outreach methods, similar to the outreach made to the area as new students arrive in the fall. A team of communications professionals from the City and University of Oregon will coordinate on communications goals, and identify audiences, key messages and communications methods. A primary focus would be using low- or no-cost news, social media, and face-to-face methods. In addition, information on the ordinance will be provided to other community residents and neighborhoods. RELATED CITY POLICIES This topic relates to the following:  Council Goal - Safe Community Vision: A community where people feel safe, valued and welcome, and increased downtown development, as well as support for small and local businesses.  Growth Management Policy 6 – Increase new housing density development while maintaining the character and livability of individual neighborhoods.  Envision Eugene Pillar – Protect, Repair and Enhance Neighborhood Livability S:\CMO\2012 Council Agendas\M121119\S1211193.doc