05/13/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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tary compensation for efficiency suggestions, but said staff would look into ~ the possibility. Bob Hammitt, Director of Public Works Maintenance Division, reviewed the details of the PARCS/PW merger. He said the merger would result in savings due to economies of scale, elimination of duplicated services, and central- ization of purchasing. He added that the PARCS/PW merger will require remod- eling work at both the Roosevelt and Cheshire facilities. Mr. Hammitt said that the City would also realize savings from streamlining the mowing programs operated by the two divisions. In addition, the City is developing cooperative mowing agreements with the school district for mowing of City-owned parcels located adjacent to school property. In response to a question from Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Hammitt confirmed that all agreements re- garding IIno mowll or IIreduced mow" zones would remain in effect. Mr. Hammitt added that staff is considering redUCing mowing of undeveloped City-owned property to the legal minimum required by code for private properties. Mr. Hammitt explained that the PARCS/PW merger had resulted in elimination of 3.5 General Fund positions; I position was transferred out of the General Fund. Ms. Ehrman inquired about the criteria for transferring positions from the General Fund to non-General Fund accounts. Mr. Hammit explained that the main criteria is whether the service provided is eligible. The second crite- ria is to determine that the fund has the capacity to handle the additional expense. Mr. Gleason added that legal restrictions on user-fee services and services funded by taxes also apply. In response to a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Gleason stated that the Public Works facility located on Roosevelt Boulevard is more centrally located than the Lincoln Street facility and meets the needs of the merged division bet- ter. Mr. Hammitt added that the Cheshire facility will remain in operation as the headquarters of the Facilities Section of the division. e Mr. Green left the meeting at 12:15 p.m. Mr. Wong said that staff's recommendation for financing these improvements included selling the lincoln Street site and issuing an interfund loan from the Fleet Fund to the General Capital Projects Fund. He said that several inquiries have already been received regarding purchase of the site; if the REI project at the former Eugene Planing Mill site goes through, interest in the site should increase. Ms. Bascom commented that this would be a good location for a housing project. Mr. Boles suggested prorating some of the cost of remodeling at the Roosevelt and Cheshire sites to non-General Funds, based on the assumption that it is appropriate for non-General Fund facilities to bear their fair share of the cost of capital improvements to maintenance facilities. Mr. Gleason noted that the financing methods recommended by staff are essen- tially cash-neutral, provided that the Lincoln Street site is sold. In addi- e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 13, 1992 Page 2