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Mr. Meisner noted that the legislation had improved a temporary increase in speeding fines and <br />asked if the City would adjust its fines as well. Mr. Taylor indicated he would follow up. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner asked about the status of the recruiting process for the vacant police chief position. <br />Mr. Taylor said that he had recently met with the recruiter and narrowed the field of candidates to <br />be interviewed the following week. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner indicated support for the work program. Noting the anticipated reductions in the State <br />human services system, he expressed hope that the commission would have the opportunity to <br />stay aware of the impact of those reductions on police needs and resources, and to keep the <br />council apprized. <br /> <br />Incoming Chair Tim Laue and incoming Vice Chair Andrea Ortiz reviewed the commission's work <br />plan for fiscal year 2004. <br /> <br />Mr. Laue acknowledged the contributions of Acting Chief Buchanan and noted the contributions <br />that Ms. Bettman and Ms. Solomon made to the commission as members. He also thanked <br />outgoing commissioner Tom Kutchai for his service on the commission. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey solicited additional council questions and comments. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Nathanson regarding the focus of the commission's <br />partnership with Downtown Eugene, Inc., Mr. Laue first clarified that the idea of a partnership <br />came from a member of the organization, which had been looking for such partnership <br />opportunities with the department for several years. He believed the focus was on the proactive <br />efforts that form the basis of community policing. He did not think it represented a shift in <br />department resources. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson asked if the Police Commission worked with the Public Works Department on the <br />streets selected for traffic calming, and what the public reaction was to those efforts. Mr. Laue <br />said that the commission had met with staff from Public Works and the Neighborhood Program <br />when discussing pedestrian safety. He believed that police cars were the best, most effective <br />traffic calming devices available. Mr. Taylor added that the department had focused on traffic <br />safety from the points of view of community education, engineering, and enforcement. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Nathanson about police misconduct investigations, Mr. Taylor <br />said that the department took such investigations seriously and he believed the system worked. <br />That did not mean there was not room for improvement, especially at the intake level. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson thanked the commission for the report. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman said the Police Commission was an excellent body. She believed that Command <br />staff was committed to working with the commission and the community. The commissioners <br />were hard-working, prepared, and committed, as was staff. The subcommittee process worked <br />well, adding to the commission's efficiency. She thanked the commission for its contribution. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman noted that the current legislature was considering legislation that would allow the <br />City to collect a systems development charge for public safety. She believed that eventually, such <br />a fee would be approved. <br /> <br /> MINUTES-Eugene City Council August 11, 2003 Page 4 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />