CC Minutes - 06/26/06 Work Session

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developed it was possible to have a local improvement district by the next construction season. He would provide the council was a memorandum on the status of design work. B. WORK SESSION: Youth/School-based Services Local Option Levy City Manager Taylor introduced Recreation Services Director Renee Grube to present information on the City’s role in providing access to after-school programs for children and youth. Ms. Grube stated that the Bethel and 4J school districts had identified alternative strategies to address their funding needs, but the City faced a dilemma as a significant portion of its after-school programs were funded by the levy and other grant sources. She said the levy was established in recognition of the core service gaps that existed in schools and youth programs and significant strides had been made over the past four years in service to youth and families, especially those who had difficulty accessing services. She said the new approach of asset development played a key role in addressing priorities such as reducing youth violence and risk-taking behaviors, reinforcing in-school learning and student achievement and expanding partnerships and collaboration with other youth service providers. She showed a video to illustrate the high return on the community’s investment. She noted that Working City footage was utilized in creating the video. Ms. Piercy commented that she was pleased to see the asset-based approach as there was a big difference between trying to fix problems for youth and actually giving them the tools to be successful. She said the Boys and Girls Club had recently reported it had received other financial commitments as a result of the City’s financial contribution. Mr. Kelly echoed Ms. Piercy’s appreciation for the asset-based model and commended staff for their efforts. He said there was no question the services were important, particularly those services that were not offered in the marketplace or otherwise inaccessible. He understood the reason for the staff’s suggestion that the levy not be renewed and concurred with the recommendation to move services into the General Fund. Ms. Solomon, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to direct the City Manager to incor- porate some or all of the City’s core youth services within the General fund rather than through a local option levy by FY08. Ms. Taylor asked how the Fun for All sites were chosen. Ms. Grube said sites were selected because of a large number of either low-income families or youth. She said locations were evaluated each year based on the previous year’s attendance. Ms. Taylor asked why there were no sites in southeast Eugene and what was meant by “culturally competent” staff. Ms. Grube replied that there were Fun for All programs at University Park and Amazon Pool that served southeast Eugene residents. She said that culturally competent staff who were those who understood services to a variety of cultures, provided services that were inclusive and were trained in making services accessible to the entire community. Ms. Bettman said she was a firm supporter of the levy and youth services; the only area for improvement was in the area of the arts as music and dance could be better incorporated into the menu of services. She supported the staff recommendation to move youth services into the General Fund but might offer an amendment to refer the matter to the citizen members of the Budget Committee for a review of services in MINUTES—Eugene City Council June 26, 2006 Page 3 Work Session