Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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averred that the auditor needed to ensure that the audit staff was properly trained in audit techniques and in the roles they played in audit support. He felt the auditor needed to be able to enforce staff performance and dependability. He recalled from his 30 years of serving as an auditor that it had been important that he managed his staff and controlled the work environment. He listed three problem areas with an audit staff reporting to an outside area: ? How would an audit staff lead keep abreast of the changes of growing the audit function into maturity or expanding or narrowing its coverage as experience dictates? For the sake of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the audit process should have flexibility and constant self-evaluation. ? How would an outside audit staff boss manage to ensure maximum support for the work of the auditor? He opined that an auditor’s needs would fall into a secondary priority with staff. ? How would an outside staff boss be equipped to deal with the critical issues of independent re- cording of audit findings and insuring strict confidentiality of audit examinations and records? He did not believe these functions worked successfully without hands-on staff guidance. Additionally, Mr. Smith predicted the City would lose high-quality candidates for the auditor job if the position did not include direct management of his or her staff. Arnold Ismach , 5326 Tahsili Street, agreed with Mr. Smith. He congratulated Mayor Piercy and the City Council for moving ahead on schedule with the selection of an auditor. He felt the City was moving in the right direction. He had followed the police auditor process closely. He noted that in his work as a journalist he had come in contact with many police complaints. He recommended hiring someone with a good legal background or background as a judge or professional negotiator. Rob Handy , 455 ½ River Road, opined that the election regarding the West Eugene Parkway (WEP) divided the community and the vote to hire an independent police auditor could serve to “heal our community.” He said the voters clearly decided to make the police auditor independent of the City Manager and the Police Chief. He urged the City Council to move forward with what the voters asked for. nd Jana Jackson , 1012 East 22 Avenue, expressed concern that the job description for the police auditor was “light.” She asserted that there was no requirement that the auditor have a background in police work. She felt it would be difficult for an auditor to judge the behavior of police officers without being familiar with the law and its application. She likened it to having a plumbing inspector who knew little about plumbing. She also found the requirement specifying that the auditor can not have worked for the EPD within 20 years to be offensive. She suggested that five or ten years would be more reasonable. She opined that to say a person should not be affiliated with the police department was “prejudicial and offensive.” She felt that it implied EPD personnel, their friends, families, and associates could not be trusted. Majeska Seese-Green , PO Box 11692, Eugene said the Whiteaker Community Council (WCC) held the position that Eugene needed “the strongest possible” independent public review of police practices. She stated that the auditor needed to be a person who would not be intimidated in “the real difficult situations that might come up here in Eugene.” She averred that the person needed to have a documented history of being able to stand up under those circumstances. She felt that setting up the auditor without complete independence could hamper the situation. The WCC also wished to relay its concern that the person hired be willing and able to supervise staff. She said it was hoped that an amendment to the charter could be placed on the ballot with a change in wording that would clearly state that the auditor’s office should be independent. She commented that, as there was an election scheduled already, an amendment would not add to the expense. MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 8, 2006 Page 11 Regular Meeting