11/02/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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second and third degree crimes. Ms. Ehrman said the downtown has improved and the patrols might have to be maintained for only a year. Ms. Wooten agreed e wi th Ms. Ehrman and said patrols are an expensive marketing tool for the downtown. Perhaps problems in the downtown could be addressed with focused patrols. Ms. Schue said a perceived lack of security is a problem downtown but $307,000 is too much money for patrols. Removing the benches would be helpful. Ms. Bascom said some intimidating groups need to be dealt with but patrols are not needed. Mayor Obie said he received two calls recently about problems on the mall. He suggested downtown merchants pay for police enhancement. Mr. Bennett responded that increased activity will make downtown patrols unnecessary. Community Schools--Ms. Wooten said the City I S support is minimal and essential. Ms. Bascom said school support in the beautification program is important. Mr. Miller said some other programs affect more people than the community schools program. Ms. Ehrman said the Cops-in-Schools program is a trade-off. She pointed out that the Bethel School District (#52) does not receive City funds. Several councilors said the community schools program is good. Mr. Rutan said funding for other programs is needed more than for the community schools. Nuclear Free Zone--Ms. Wooten said the ordi nance was passed and must be funded. Ms. Ehrman agreed. She said the costs should be included in the budget. Mr, Rutan suggested the ordinance be funded with a serial levy. Mayor Obie said the citizens would have to vote on a serial levy, Ms. Erhman said a vote on a serial levy to fund the nuclear free zone would create turmoil in the community. e Eugene Sports "Youth" Program (ESP)--Mr. Bennett said the program is excellent and cost efficient, children can participate regardless of their parentis income, and volunteers really operate it. He said there is much private investment in the program and it is popular. Ms. Schue said other athletic programs are not supported by the City. However, it is necessary to keep children busy and out of troubl~ and City fi~lds should be used. Mr. Miller ~Qid the time may have come when good program~ hav~ to b~ d~l~t~d from the budget because others are more imperative, Mayor Obi e said the private sector should support the ESP. Ms, Ehrman wondered what percentage of the participants need scholarships. Ms, Wooten said the program will continue even if the City does not contribute. She said the council has not discussed adult sports programs. Answering questions, Mr. Whitlow said the City contributes $51,000 in cash to the program and contracts for maintenance of the fields. Crime Prevention Team--Ms. Wooten said $150,000 will continue the program started last year, She said it has benefited the neighborhoods. Mr. Miller said people often call him about the slow response of police to secondary crimes, Several other councilors said they have not had such complaints, Mr. Miller said the work of the Crime Prevention Team results in better response time to crimes, e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 2, 1987 Page 4