02/11/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e - greater personal liability of the council. Mr. Gleason stated that it does not. The agent approach is not a new method, should there be a challenge of whether the City is an agent or not. A certain amount of liability is carried when a person is elected councilor. However, the question is whether the CETA program in the City of Eugene should be continued. Mr. Obie stated that every year, some groups do not make the cut list and have made allegations. If the council runs into problems of allocated revenues, he would like to know that that liability would not fall back on the council. Mr. Gleason assured him that it would not. It is not enough to say that the City is the agent; it must also be carried out by action. Mr. Obie asked how long the council should endorse the changed process. Mr. Gleason stated that he would recommend that this be looked at as a short-term situation for 30-60 days and he would not recommend it indefinitely. Mr. Obie asked if there is a problem with extending this for 90 days. Mr. Gleason said that the issue is managing the tort liability situa- tion and of making the subcontractors agents. At some point, City staff would need to think about that relationship anyway. One problem now is that there are two titles to the CETA program regarding government or public employment. The other CETA program is employment and training between contractors and private business. If we lose this program, it affects the capacity to offer a quality CETA program. The City is trying to stabilize the program and if it cannot be done, then the City will not want to be involved. Mr. Obie asked if there would be a problem with approving this proposal for 90-120 days. Gary Long stated that the longer it goes, the greater the risk. Mr. Gleason stated that staff recommendation is for a mandatory review by the council in 30 days and if a solution does not appear imminent, to have a cutoff of this portion of the program in 60 days. Mayor Keller stated that if other cities in the state are in a similar situation, this.could likely be the No.1 priority for both the League of Oregon Cities and the National League of Cities. He sugges- ted contacting Steve Bauer of the League of Oregon Cities. Stan Long stated that Mr. Obie had asked about personal claims against the council. The nature of the claim determines whether there is personal liability. If it is a personal action of an illegal act, then the City or a councilor could be responsible. Mr. Gleason noted that the reason this is coming to the council is because of this possibility of increased liability. This is primarily a management problem, but the council must decide if they wish to be in a poten- tial risk environment. Betty Smith stated that because of a high degree of interest in this prob- lem, that she would urge council to have questions referred to Gary Long or to Randy Miller. Ms. Wooten noted support for changing the status of the program for a short time, but does not feel comfortable having the program terminated within 60 days. It is possible that the Department of Labor could hold this up. Many things could occur in that time, even though final resolution may not be reached within the 60-day period. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 11, 1981 Page 6