CC Minutes - 09/25/06 Work Session

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it would be reauthorized. She said she would provide a more detailed report later. She commented on the efforts of Vancouver, Washington to preserve historic buildings in the downtown area. She described a housing project in which 40 percent of the housing was reserved for people making $7 to $9 per hour. She said the project had a number of progressive features and she felt Eugene could learn a lot from Vancouver. Mr. Kelly joined Ms. Ortiz in commending the new Monroe Street Substation with its expanded services and welcoming environment. He said he also attended the event at Crescent Village and thought the development was a good example of density, diverse housing types, and mixed uses. Ms. Bettman requested abbreviated training in cultural competency as a follow-up to the Communities of Color forums. She hoped it would be scheduled in November when new members of boards and commis- sions had been appointed. City Manager Taylor replied that the training was tentatively scheduled for November 29 and a draft agenda would be in the council’s Thursday packet. Mr. Pryor said a financial report was presented at the recent Lane Metro Partnership Board meeting and the organization was financially sound with many activities in progress. He attended the rededication of Acorn Park and commended Carolyn Weiss and her staff for the project. He said many people from the neighbor- hood attended the event. He said community health centers, which operated under the auspices of the Human Services Commission, were exploring ways to restructure, achieve some efficiencies and expand services. He noted that a priority was protecting existing staff from loss of wages or benefits. Mr. Papé said he was surprised at news that City Manager Dennis Taylor had applied for another job and hoped that Mr. Taylor kept his expertise and career in Eugene. City Manager Taylor apologized to the mayor and the council for the awkward way with which they were notified that he was a finalist for a job with the City of Lawrence, Kansas. He said concern with issues related to the police auditor, the City Charter, and the City Attorney’s opinion had prompted him to consider the job with the City of Lawrence where he had been an undergraduate. He expected a decision would be made sometime in October and if he was selected he would also have a decision to make. Mr. Papé did not think an apology was necessary and hoped that any issues could be resolved and Mr. Taylor would remain in Eugene. He reported that the United Way campaign was launched at Lane Community College with a goal of raising $5 million. He said organizers were optimistic that goal could be achieved as the community had always been generous. He said the Lane Council of Governments Board met last week and took action on some minor bylaws amendments primarily related to executive committee membership and meeting schedules. He said there was a presentation on and discussion of the Lane County income tax measure for public safety. Ms. Solomon reported on her attendance at a Good Neighbor Day event at the Good Neighbor Care Center in Santa Clara. She said the center was an assisted living facility and it was a pleasure to attend the first annual event. She said a citizenship award was given to someone from the Alzheimer’s Association for his work on behalf of victims of Alzheimer’s disease. Mayor Piercy noted a memorandum from Council, Public, and Government Affairs Manager Mary Walston regarding recruitment of Budget Committee members. She said that committee member Bob Peters had withdrawn as a candidate for a second term and Ms. Walston was recommending that the recruitment be reopened. There were no objections to reopening the recruitment. MINUTES—City Council September 25, 2006 Page 2 Work Session