06/08/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e e -- IV. REPORT FROM "GUT" TASK FORCE (background information distributed) Mr. Gleason said that the "Gut" Task Force had been established in response to concerns expressed by Councilor Schue and residents of the South Willamette Street area. Mr. Gleason introduced Marge Beck, Director of Council and Community Services. Ms. Beck said that the task force was working to address concerns with "gut" cruisers in the general area of South Willamette Street between 24th and 29th avenues. She noted that the activities of the task force were listed in a June 2, 1983, memo from the task force to the council. Ms. Beck stated that the activities of the task force were on-going and were a joint publici private sector effort. She said that the task force was chaired by Ruth Miller, Neighborhood Liaison in the City Manager's Office, with members from affected neighborhood groups, South Willamette businesses, the Eugene Commission on the Rights of Youth, the Eugene Police Department, and the staff of the City Manager's Office. Ms. Beck said that the goal of the task force, which has been meeting since January 1982, was not to eliminate or move the "gut" but to make conditions more manageable for businesses and residents in the area. She said that past efforts to address the "gut" situation had been limited to police patrols and traffic controls. She said that the recent efforts of the task force called for on-going and coordinated activities, with the task force serving as a consistent body to whom residents and business owners could come with feedback. Ms. Beck said that educational efforts of the task force had included surveying "gut" cruisers, businesses, and residents for their perceptions of the IIgut" situation. She said operational efforts had included distributing pamphlets detailing what would be considered acceptable behavior on the "gut", and providing litter containers and restrooms, with signing to indicate restroom locations. She noted that a form had been developed for neighbors and businesses to use in providing feedback on "gut" activities. Ms. Beck displayed posters selected in a "gut" poster contest and noted that the posters would be displayed in South Willamette Street businesses and in local schools and community centers. Ms. Beck said that while the task force had no specific, objective results on which to base an evaluation of the effect of its efforts, the group believed that the "gut" situation was improving. She noted that there had been fewer dispatched police calls in the area and that neighbors and businesses had expressed the feeling that things were getting better. Ms. Beck said it was felt that the efforts of the task force were worthwhile and should continue. Ms. Beck emphasized the cooperation that had taken place in this effort. She noted that several people had been identified in the June 2 memo as having aided in work of the task force and said that the work of the following people should also be recognized: Bill DeForrest and Bill Childers of the Eugene Police; Jim Hanks and Mike Weishar of Traffic Engineering; Dick Morgan of Parks Maintenance; Chris Mahoney, Barb Bellamy, and Ruth Miller of the City Manager's Office; and Jeff Budd, Mikal Krummel, and Don Griffin of the Youth Commission. Ms. Beck said that Ms. Miller had been the "driving force" behind the work of the task force. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 8, 1983 Page 5