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e Responding to Ms. Bascom's comment, Mr. Gleason said that while the current projections for reduced costs may not seem accurate, the scenario of escalat- ing costs that are projected with the reactive model to public safety are accurate. Furthermore, if the Department of Public Safety continues to move forward in this reactive model, it will reach a point after which it will no longer be able to meet the demand for services. Mr. MacDonald echoed concerns raised earlier about the State's declining participation in social service funding. He noted that the Federal govern- ment recently awarded Washington DC a grant for $100,000 for community polic- ing and urged the council to seek similar funding for this program. Mr. Robinette recognized the problem that exists around the provision of emergency services in the community and commented on the need to conduct the strategic financial planning process in a comprehensive manner. Mr. Nicholson commented that the success of the components that have been implemented so far may have resulted from the involvement of public safety employees who have a demonstrated interest and/or commitment to new ways of policing. He questioned whether the plan would continue to be successful when implemented on a large scale. In response, Mr. Green noted that the hiring practice is sensitive to this concern. He also noted that this plan has strong support from the management of the organization. Mr. Boles requested that the plan be expanded to include the costs associated with social service components in order to recognize it may not be possible to fund these with municipal resources, but look to other sources of funding. Mr. MacDonald agreed, suggesting that it might be possible to mitigate some State funding cuts by demonstrating a need for particular social services. Mr. Nicholson noted that in its present form, the plan places some of the civic responsibility for public safety on non-public agencies. He voiced concern with the ramifications this could have in the future in terms of the City's authority to deliver these services. e III. APPROVAL OF 1991 FEDERAL PRIORITIES Mr. Rutan provided the council with a brief overview of the City's 1991 Fed- eral priorities as recommended by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee. The recommended priorities this year are continuations of issues the City has pursued in the recent past and represent substantial financial opportunity for this area. The top priorities this year are Ferry Street Bridge con- struction, Eugene Transit Station construction, wetlands acquisition and construction, and housing. Mr. Rutan noted that, as in previous years, the City's "short list" of prior- ities is Eugene-specific, but included a component of national issues in which the City has a particular interest. The list is targeted to legisla- tion which Congress is likely to take action on in 1991. The list also in- - MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 13, 1991 Page 6