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e e e Glen Svendsen, Financial Analyst, said that the balance of components that received at least six votes to include in strategies is $994,000, which does not include $800,000 on which the City Manager needs council direction. Ms. Bascom brought up the issue of City employee compensation. Mr. Nicholson viewed this as a serious public relations problem. Linda Norris, Assistant City Manager, said that this issue could be addressed as part of a long-term process, which would thoroughly examine the compensation packages of City employees. Mr. Nicholson pointed out that some of the components have addressed this issue already, such as implementing volunteer programs. He stated that the public expressed a desire for reduction in middle management and compensation. Mr. Boles thought that the council should make decisions about middle management and compensation based on sustainability criteria, and not on public relations issues. He said that staff is already examining management issues for the long term and one consequence may be to eliminate some middle management positions. Mr. Boles also pointed out that the study conducted by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce indicates that direct compensation for City employees is within the norm but that benefits packages may be questionable. Mr. MacDonald said that any study done on compensation should be comprehensive. He said that market issue8dn~edb~oehQmiRQdinBdain a rational, realistic manner. Mayor Miller suggested that this item be tabled. Mr. Nicholson reiterated his concern that these two issues were those most frequently suggested by the public for reduction. He said that until the council examines them, it will not gain community support for the packages it presents. Mayor Miller stated that the study conducted by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce addresses these issues in depth. Mr. Nicholson said that the public is not aware of that study. Ms. Bascom wondered why staff could not provide figures which specify reductions which would occur with compensa- tion reductions. Mr. Mounts said that there are too many underlying assump- tions that would affect those figures. A. ComDonent 143. Recreation Division Mr. Robinette wondered if there would be a different reaction to a 50 percent membership fee at the lower levels, such as level 1. Mr. Mounts said that it made more sense to examine individual customer bases for certain service around human services, community planning, and swimming pools. In response to a question from Mr. Robinette, Mr. Mounts said that the number of people who use more than one service is not known at this time and difficult to measure. The council agreed, by consensus, to exclude this item. B. ComDonent 146. Community Centers Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. MacDonald, to accept alterna- tive 1 of component 146, which proposes to increase fees to recover 53 percent of full costs over two to three years. Mr. Mounts said that there were some analyses of alternatives which were inadvertently excluded from the packet. Mr. Rutan wondered how alternative 1 MINUTES--Eugene City Council 5:30 p.m. April 20, 1992 Page 2