06/27/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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In response to a question by Councilor Wooten, Mr. Gleason noted that staff was working on Mr. Clay's problem and would report back to council. e Councilor Wooten asked whether cuts had been made to the library budget since the Budget Committee had made its recommendation. Mr. Whitlow assured her that the budget before the council was that approved by the Budget Committee. The subcommittee reviewing the Library budget was aware of these cuts and the outcome. Councilor Wooten asked for clarification on the amount of money involved in these reductions. Mr. Gleason responded noting that $80,000 was the cost of the bookmobile operation and $50,000 savings was resulting from the staff reduction in the human rights program. In response to a question by Councilor Holmer, Mr. Gleason said that the backlog of requests for street lights related to new subdivisions. He said staff would provide council with a list noting the street light requests by planning district. Councilor Lindberg asked staff whether it would be illegal to compensate Mr. Clay from general funds. Mr. Gleason said that he would have staff investi- gate this option and report back to the council. Councilor Lindberg asked staff whether an attempt had been made to reduce the City's eKpenses associated with various contracts by asking vendors to accept reduced fees. Mr. Gleason replied that these contracts had been renegotiated in some areas. e Councilor Smith reminded the public that no action would be taken on the budget by the council until the following Wednesday. She then asked staff to affirm that the same level of service would be provided to the human rights program after elimination of the staff position. Mr. Gleason replied that he felt confident that the same energy could be provided to the program, though there would inevitably be some qualitative impact. He felt comfortable with the cut. Councilor Ball stated his intention to seek the reinstitution of the Bookmobile and asked staff to prepare proposals for alternative cuts to fund this. Councilor Wooten said that it was her understanding that there would be an impact to the human rights program from the staff cut. She indicated that she had met with the Human Rights Presidents' Council and urged members to report to the council, in future months, on whether the City Manager's plan was workable. Councilor Holmer said that he had attended the same meeting. He observed that changes such as these could sometimes lead to reinvigoration of programs. He said he accepted the City Manager's pledge of support, and urged members of the commissions to keep the council advised of their progress. Councilor Wooten said that she would not be able to attend the following Wednesday's meeting and so would not be able to vote on the final budget. She indicated that she was in support of Councilor Ball's proposal to restore the Bookmobile and the restoration of .5 FTE to the human rights program, to be funded from the cash carry forward or contingency funds. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 27,1983 Page 4