03/14/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

On item No.3, Space Problems, Manager explained that the closure of the Armory terminated the Police Department's use of that ~ indoor firing range. Also, working conditions in the basement . of City Hall are contributing to a high turnover rate in the Data Processing Department. Space is needed to relocate Data Processing on an interim basis and release that space to the Police Department. Other possibilities are rental of storage space and other usable space as well as exploring with other jurisdictions the firing range problem. Assistant Manager noted that the pistol range could probably adequately be located down- stairs although a check needs to be made on the mechanical systems in that area. He said, too, that Council will have to deal with the long-range permanent space problem. He said that City Hall is designed to be able to add a tower to it. Whether action is taken on an interim basis, or whether the money is joined with other funds to do something of a more permanent nature, needs to be addressed. Mr. Obie said he could not understand how, since there is a reduction in city employees, more space is still needed. He asked that staff prepare some sort of report addressing that question. Assistant Manager noted that there has been some talk of a crim- inal justice building in Eugene. That issue would most likely take two to three years of debate, however. Manager understood that there had earlier been a commitment that the Municipal Court would be located in the Courthouse once the Public Service Building was completed. That has not happened, and the Municipal Court takes up considerable space. Assistant Manager added also that a study was done three years ago of the possibility of converting the parking underneath City Hall to office space. That option was deemed unacceptable. In answer to Ms. Smith, Assistant Manager also said that, if this issue is not dealt with through the use of countercyclical funds, it will have to be dealt with as a budget request. - Pierce Brooks, Police Chief, said that firing range should ideally be used at least once a month rather than once a year as is presently the case, and he said that many of the present officers did not qualify the last time around. ./ Manager noted that, even without a departmental shift, something woul c1 have to he done about the ventilation in the basement. Mr. I1lIlI1pl 1I1l\pl.stol range. though he felt a joint venture on a rifle range would be acceptable. Mr. Obie said that he could not in good faith vote for going beyond the bounds of city-owned property to address the space problem at present. Manager pointed out that it may, in the long run, be cheaper to rent some property than lose 30 to 40 - ;2.~o 3/14/77 - 24