HomeMy WebLinkAbout150701.EmergancyMeeting.SIREMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
July 1, 2015
12:00 P.M.
Councilors Present: George Brown, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka via phone, George Poling, Mike Clark,
Greg Evans, Claire Syrett via phone, Chris Pryor
Mayor Piercy opened the July 1, 2015, City Council Emergency Meeting [pursuant to ORS 192.640(3)].
A. PUBLIC HEARING AND POSSIBLE ACTION: An Ordinance Prohibiting The Use Of Fireworks
Without a Permit Within The City Limits In 2015, Declaring An Emergency; And Providing For
An Immediate Effective Date.
1. Aaron Taylor -Opposed ban; could be financially devastating to vendors; print safety information.
2. Ruth Duemler - Supported ban; fire can happen quickly and dry brush needs to be removed.
3. Link Smith - Said outright ban will push people to forest land and fire danger is already high.
4. Chris Cheeh - Opposed ban; enforcement would be complicated especially in Santa Clara area.
5. Roxanne Watson - Supported ban; need to think of potential loss of life and property.
6. Jonathon Fargher - Opposed ban; illegal fireworks pose greatest danger; educate the public.
7. Mark Robinowitz - Supported ban; fireworks create big risk and fires will spread fast.
Council discussion:
• General support expressed for partial ban in South Hills as this area has the highest
concentration of fire fuel and most challenging topography.
• A full ban would increase danger in outlying areas.
• Public safety emphasis should be on enforcement of illegal fireworks.
• Greater public communication effort needed.
• Explore the designation of safe zones at which to light legal fireworks.
Mayor Piercy determined that no councilors were opposed to taking immediate action on the
proposed ordinance and advised that two-thirds of the council would need to vote in the
affirmative in order to have an immediate effective date.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to adopt the
South Hills version of Council Bi115147, an ordinance prohibiting the use of fireworks.
PASSED 8:0
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Evans, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved that the council
approve the use of up to $10,000 of Council contingency for additional enforcement efforts
related to unlawful use of fireworks. PASSED 8:0
The meeting adjourned at 1:01 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Chuck Crockett
Deputy City Recorder
MINUTES -Eugene City Council July 1, 2015 Page 1
Emergency Meeting