HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2E: Call for Public Hearing on Ord. Change Related to Snow Map
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UGENE ITY OUNCIL
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GENDA TEM UMMARY
Call for Public Hearing on Ordinance Change Related to Publication of Snow Map
Meeting Date: July 22, 2013 Agenda Item Number: 2E
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Eric Jones
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5523
ISSUE STATEMENT
Eugene Code currently requires the annual newspaper publication of a snow emergency route
map. Staff is proposing to eliminate this newspaper publication which, coupled with best
management practices of the Public Works Department, would provide for more timely and
effective notification to the public in the event of an ice or snow emergency.
BACKGROUND
Eugene Code 5.684 requires that the City annually publish in October a map indicating priority 1,
priority 2 and priority 3 emergency snow routes, a list of conditions under which a snow
emergency will automatically exist, a list of broadcast stations, a statement that parking is not
permitted along priority routes, and a notice of the City’s ability to tow cars parked on priority
routes. To meet these requirements and to provide information that is legible and distinguishes
the various priority routes, the City purchases nearly a full-page color ad in the Register-Guard
each October at a cost of more than $4,000.
EC 5.684 deals exclusively with the annual publishing of the City’s emergency route maps. Other
code provisions prohibit parking on emergency snow routes (EC 5.677-5.678) and the City’s
notification requirements when declaring a snow emergency (EC 5.681).
Staff has and will continue to use best management practices to provide timely and effective
notification of snow and ice emergencies. These practices include web publishing (e.g.,
www.eugene-or.gov/icesnow), news releases and other media contacts, and informal notifications
to partner agencies, neighborhood associations and other groups as the winter weather season
approaches. Additional advantages to web-based information include the ability to provide
“zoomable” pdf maps (so a viewer can zoom in on an area of particular interest) and the ability to
update information quickly and cost effectively as situations develop or media stations change.
For these reasons, staff is requesting that EC 5.684 be deleted.
S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130722\S1307222E.docx
RELATED CITY POLICIES
Council goals for effective, accountable municipal government and fair, stable and adequate
financial resources.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
The council may choose to hold a public hearing on the deletion of EC 5.684. Subsequent to
the hearing, the council may take action to delete or amend the code requirements.
The council may choose to not conduct a hearing, in which case the requirements of EC
5.684 will remain in force.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends that the council hold a public hearing on an ordinance deleting EC
5.684.
SUGGESTED MOTION
Move to schedule a public hearing on an ordinance deleting EC 5.684, requiring the annual
publication of snow emergency route maps.
ATTACHMENTS
A.Eugene Code 5.684, Snow Emergency - Publication of Snow Emergency Route Maps
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Eric Jones
Telephone: 541-682-5523
Staff E-Mail: Eric.R.Jones@ci.eugene.or.us
S:\CMO\2013 Council Agendas\M130722\S1307222E.docx
ATTACHMENT A
5.684 Snow Emergency - Publication of Snow Emergency Route Maps
. Within
30 days of the date of adoption of this section, and beginning in October of
every year hereafter, the city manager or the manager's designee shall
cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the city
public notice of the snow emergency provisions of this code. Published
notice shall include:
(a)
A map indicating priority one, priority two, and priority three routes;
(b)
A list of the conditions under which a snow emergency will
automatically exist;
(c)
A list of what stations will be broadcasting snow emergency
declarations and other updates;
(d)
A statement that parking is not permitted along priority routes;
(e)
Notice of the city's ability to tow cars parked or stranded in violation of
sections 5.677 to 5.687 of this code.
(Section 5.684 added by Ordinance No. 19723, enacted October 22, 1990, effective November
21, 1990.)