02/28/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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VI. Mr. Bradley moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to table the item for discussion at another Commitee-Of-the-Whole meeting. Motion carried, with all COuncil members present voting aye except Mr. Obie voting no. PreSentation of proposed projects for Title II Public Works Act 1976 counterc clical funds financin (memo distributed to Council) Appr< '--- e '- Manager reported that Congress adopted the Public Works Act in 1976, providing for five quarterly payments to the City of Eugene based upon unemployment figures and population. He said that the City had received $449,814 of these funds and estimated another additional $280,000 will be received for a total of $730,000. This money must be Obligated within six months after receiving it. He said the City had until May 23, 1977, to obligate the first payment of $298,OOO. Another $152,000 must be obligated by July II. The deadline for obligating the remaining $280,000 depends upon the actual date the funds are received. He said because of the impact of the preparing departmental budgets for 1977-78, he was recommending Council's approval to allocate the entire $730,000 as Soon as Possible. He said it was a one-shot stimulation for the economy and was to assist cities in Sustaining general city services; it would allow Some flexible uses in some instances, although not for new Construction or new projects. He said that the staff was recommending the followin9 criteria to be used to implement Council's policy: I) improvement in long range financial circumstances of the City; 2) improvement of prOductivity of existing work forces; 3) improvement of the City compliance with the legal, safety, and other reqUirements; and 4) a one-time expenditure that is not disruptive to services when funds are termlnated. Mayor Keller indicated that since Council had been meeting for 1 and one-half hours the no smoking policy was not in effect. Mr. Bradley expressed his OPPosition to the violation of the "no smoking policy". He said either change the policy or stick by it. Mr. Delay concurred with Mr. Bradley's state- ment, saying a pOlicy had been adopted and if it was going to change then the Council should do so. Mr. Obie requested the staff to place the "no smOking po I icy" on the agenda for di s- cussion at the next Committee-of-the_Whole meeting. Affirm - - Manager continued with his discussion of the countercyclical funds and indicated that he hoped that the Council would take action soon as departments are in the process of drawing up their bUdgets for the 1977-78 year and expenditures of these funds would affect those budgets. Mr. Haws questioned what process the Council should take--a vote now or public hearing? Manager said he Would like Some reasonable consensus at Monday night's Council meeting, at the very latest the March 14 COuncil meeting. Mr. Haws then asked What the funds are for. Manager stated that Senator Muskie had started this program many years ago with the idea that in urban areas where a recession had struck and the fiscal squeeze was on, the cities need additional funds because they were Cutting back in their general services. -.. \11 2/28/77 --41