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<br />Public Safety Presence in Parks to include the addition of two year-round Eugene police officers dedicated to
<br />patrolling parks, two year-round and two seasonal Park Ambassadors, expansion of the Illegal Camp Response
<br />Team to provide daily clean-up operations, and an increase response for graffiti removal from monthly to weekly.
<br />
<br />General Park Maintenance such as reopening closed restrooms with daily custodial services during summer
<br />months, increased mowing to occur every 7 to 10 days, the addition of seasonal weekend and after-hours
<br />maintenance in high-use parks, and preventative maintenance of irrigation, lighting and park furnishings, including
<br />preventative tree maintenance in developed parks.
<br />
<br />Habitat and Natural Area Maintenance includes increasing trail maintenance to three miles per year and seasonal
<br />trash service to several times per week at high use trail heads, adds preventative maintenance of roads, parking
<br />areas, fences, signs and portable restrooms, and the continuation of vegetation management to reduce fuel loads,
<br />manage weeds and the addition of native plants.
<br />
<br />General Maintenance and Operation Services for future projects will be phased in over five years. A public process
<br />will identify which items to complete and the order in which they are implemented. Future projects include new park
<br />development at Striker Field Park, Santa Clara Community Park, Ferndale Park, West Bank Park, Riverfront Park
<br />(at former Eugene Water & Electric Board property), Mattie Reynolds Park, expansion of the Ridgeline Trail into the
<br />Suzanne Arlie Park, Echo Hollow and Sheldon Pool renovations, Campbell Community Center renovation, and four
<br />new turf fields as phase one of a new sports complex.
<br />
<br />Community Safety
<br />
<br />Achieving the goal of Safe Community requires proactive collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including the
<br />Eugene Police Department (EPD), Eugene Municipal Court, City Prosecutor’s Office, Lane County Circuit Court,
<br />Lane County and City of Springfield jails, and social service providers. In response to a number of challenges faced
<br />by the system, such as increased case backlog, lengthy case disposition times, high rates of property and
<br />behavioral crime recidivism, and insufficient alternatives to jail sanctions, an interdepartmental Community Justice
<br />Team was formed in 2015 comprised of City staff from EPD, Central Services Department, City Prosecutor’s Office
<br />and the Municipal Court. Over the past several years, the Community Justice Team has taken a number of steps
<br />to achieve objectives and address system challenges, such as:
<br />
<br />The Community Court Pilot Program will receive an additional year of funding in FY19. Community Court aims to
<br />improve public safety and reduce misdemeanor activity in the downtown core to improve safety and quality of life
<br />through a combination of supervised community service and direct connections to social service providers for
<br />program participants.
<br />
<br />Analysis of Options for community outreach and engagement pertaining to Community Justice System challenges,
<br />including long-term system enhancement options.
<br />
<br />One-Time Funding of $400,000 is included in the FY19 adopted budget to maintain current staffing levels for the
<br />City Prosecutor and pay for jail beds as well as an additional $500,000 of one-time funding included for Community
<br />Justice Initiatives, along with support for the 911 Communications Center. The first supplemental budget for FY19
<br />in December will add an additional $8.6 million for community safety.
<br />
<br />Development of the Downtown Riverfront
<br />
<br />The City is building on momentum in the downtown with a large riverfront redevelopment project that has been
<br />years in the making. During April 2018, the Riverfront Urban Renewal Agency purchased approximately 16 acres
<br />of Downtown Riverfront property from Eugene Water & Electric Board for $5.75 million, marking a key milestone in
<br />the efforts to redevelop the property. Redevelopment of this site has been a part of the community’s vision for many
<br />decades, reinforced through numerous public engagement opportunities, and adopted as policy and land use code
<br />in 2013. The transformation of the site is a critical piece in connecting downtown to the river and creating an active
<br />place for the entire community. The Agency is committed to delivering a high quality, legacy project that connects
<br />downtown to the river, catalyzes economic growth, and reflects the community’s vision. The redevelopment will be
<br />a key destination as Eugene takes its place on the world stage as host of the 2021 World Championships. With a
<br />new park, an improved riverfront path, and an inviting link to downtown, the site will draw people from near and far
<br />to the center of Eugene and provide a long-lasting legacy for the community.
<br />
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<br />December 10, 2018, Meeting - Item 2D
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