10/24/1983 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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He stressed that the Jobs Bill monies were for emergency help during the depres- e sed financial times and for jobs for low- and moderate-income people, not for capital improvement, Parks, or EPIC. He asked the council to consider how the $715,000 was being spent. He also questioned the rationale of the council, stating that it appeared that the council was unaware of the true situation of the area residents. He said that EOO knew in April 1983 that the money would be allocated, but it did not advertise for proposals until 10 days prior to the June public hearing. He stated that the money had already been earmarked for the Roosevelt Boulevard Project. He said the $100,000 was now going to Parks and the EPIC, ignoring the low- and moderate-income people. He said the proposal was a disgrace and that it was promoting apathy rather than promoting the individuals who need the funds. Mr. Stathakis said that staff needed to get out and work in the community and he encouraged the councilors to do the same. He said that this was an opportunity for the council to reduce the amount of cynicism and to show some real class by supporting the disadvantaged. There being no further testimony, the public hearing was closed. Councilor Schue, speaking for Councilor Lindberg, said the COC had unanimously approved the staff report. Councilor Wooten said she still had questions on the allocation of the recaptured funds. She said that EPIC had not expressed its interest in the initial proposal hearings. She questioned what other proposals were reviewed by the COCo Mr. Byrne responded that staff had asked the EPIC to assist in order to perfect the process, explaining that the EPIC was staffed by the Job Training Center and e that it was their specialty to work with low-income, unemployed people. He said the EPIC was successful in increasing the ratio between labor and materials. He then reviewed the proposals of the Buckley House, the YMCA, the Lane Unemploy- ment Project, and the Crossroads Area Refinement Planning Study as reviewed by the COCo Councilor Ball said he shared Ms. Wooten's concerns with the process. He said a better, but not sufficient, job had been done with the reprogramming. He added that some individuals with proposals had been referred to the Joint Social Services process to be considered during the next block grant funding cycle. He said he had followed the process and that the staff decision not to solicit proposals due to time constraints was a mistake. He said he was more pleased with the process, but he hoped that improvement could be made. Mr. Gleason said the council had made a decision two years ago to stop the individually funded project system for CDC money and to utilize the existing structures of the General Plan, the Capital Improvement Plan, and the Joint Social Services as processes which already have internal public participation models. He said the council unanimously adopted that recommendation. He said if council wanted to reinstate the individually funded projects, then council should have a subcommittee study the situation and develop a recommendation for staff. He said he felt he was presently working under a council directive and that the proposal was correct. He said the allocation systems contained a model and that council should use those resources. Mayor Keller, speaking for Councilor Lindberg, said the COC had voted unanimously - in favor of the staff recommendation and that the committee wished to continue MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 24, 1983 Page 7