Item C: City Manager Evaluation - Laserfiche WebLink

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6. These public involvement processes are very heavily weighted with staff and typically do not clarify for the public how they can meaningfully influence the outcome or how the plan or project will ultimately impact their lives. 7. I know of many instances, lately, where the public has been engaged on a specific plan or project and felt that the outcome was predetermined and the whole process was a waste of their time. The organization, under Dennis, lacks openness and transparency. One example: The Crest Neighbors were promised a discussion with staff about a planned street project for which they will ultimately bear a significant cost burden. Over two hundred residents attended. Dennis and many city transportation engineers were in attendance. The staff, under Dennis's direction had contracted with a consultant to facilitate, but they were instructed to only transcribe the questions - no answers allowed! People were furious and insulted. It was a stilted and ridiculous one-way conversation. I begged Dennis to let the knowledgeable staff present at least answer the simpler queStions, but he refused. It took weeks (maybe more) before people had answers to the .questions, but of course that made follow up questions and clarifications even more unwieldy. 7. Dennis appears to work at openness and availability to the public from my point of view. Additional Comments: It almost on occasion seems as if Dennis flips a switch from advocating effectively and objectively for a position to personally attacking the person or organization when they don't seem to agree with his or staffs' position. While this is rare, it needs to cease. The Manager seems well liked and respected in the community and willing to work with community on critical issues. He has recently met with some advocate groups that have until recently, been left largely out of City Hall. Dennis has dedicated an abundance of time developing different ways to build public confidence in City government. A good example is his recent actions to improve the overall operations of 'the Eugene Police Department. I have been contacted by members of this community who have indicated that sometimes Dennis' tendencies to "control" staff when they are dealing with the public causes difficulties when working through issues. Generally quite good in these areas. Again, I wish the Manager would be more expressive "from the heart" in public settings on issues of human rights, race, and other diversity issues in the community. His leadership could make a significant impact. I don't know if this is the best section to note this, but I have been very impressed and pleased with the Manager's (and presumably other staff) fireless efforts in working with McKenzie/Triad and EWEB regarding the property. Dennis has shown to be very responsive to community access to him. He is very visible and professional. 13