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further development at Amazon Park. She hoped that the staff decisions regarding the park could be <br />influenced by the public. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor complimented the City's Public Works Department for its traffic calming efforts on 30th <br />Avenue. She said that people were happy with the improvements, and traffic was less backed up than in the <br />past because of changes in the timing of lights. People were very happy that they had been contacted by <br />staff for input. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap6 said that the improvements being made at Amazon Park had been planned for some time. He said <br />that some of the improvements would alleviate problems caused by muddy areas in the park. Regarding the <br />use of any extra parks bond funds, Mr. Pap6 wanted any allocation of those funds to be reviewed by the <br />Mayor's Parks and Open Space Plan Committee and the council. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap6 said he attended the United Way Volunteers for Neighbors event the previous week and had been <br />very impressed by what was being done in the community without any public funds. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap~ congratulated staff for getting the bond measure for the fire station on River Road out so rapidly. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey agreed with Mr. Pap~ about the value of the United Way event, and suggested that he and the <br />City Manager write a letter thanking those who organized the event. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey noted the upcoming United Front visit to Washington, DC, and said that the 4J and Bethel <br />school districts were interested in becoming involved so they could seek federal funding for after-school <br />programs. He asked Mr. Meisner, acting through the Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, to <br />contact the districts regarding the issue. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey said he attended the opening of the new park off Sorrel Lane. He said the new park was <br />great, and the playground area was outstanding, particularly for small children. He also noted that a <br />concrete wall was being installed around the new skateboard park in the Bethel neighborhood. He said that <br />the addition of the children's playground area was also wonderful. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor reported that the City had received eight different bids for the fire station bonds. He <br />said that Moody's Bond Rating Service had recently reaffirmed the City's AA-2 status for general <br />obligation bonds and AAA status for limited tax debt, such as the fire bonds. He said that the rating <br />reflected the City's strong financial performance, continued economic development efforts, and low debt <br />levels. Moody's expressed confidence in the City's ability to maintain its budget structure balance while <br />maintaining healthy reserves over the long-term. He said that the Reserve for Revenue Shortfalls had not <br />only been useful closing some budget gaps, but had also reduced the City's debt service costs in the long- <br />term because it helped the City maintain the confidence of the bond market and financial community. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor reported that former City Manager Jim Johnson had agreed to assist the City in <br />implementing the City Council's recently adopted resolution related to hospital siting. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor referred to the report provided to the council on temporary patrol staffing changes. He <br />said that it took some time to get new officers on the street. He assured the council that the changes were <br />temporary and did not represent a long-term approach. He said that staff was working on reducing police <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 13, 2003 Page 3 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />