1.28.2019 City Council Work Session Meeting Minutes

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Council Discussion • Councilor Clark- asked about the difference in costs between recruiting a new Presiding Judge and the direct appointment of Judge Gill; supported Judge Gill and noted the savings of time and money using a direct appoint approach. • Councilor Syrett - supported interviewing Judge Gill with the goal of direct appoint; Judge Gill has the experience, initiative, and local reputation to be immediately successful; supported transition the position to City Council employee status with more frequent updates to the council. • Councilor Pryor - said he trusted Judge Allen's recommendation to promote Judge Gill; impressed with his ideas, commitment and understanding of local system; supported moving to a council employee model and more robust role in recognition of how the city has grown and changed. • Councilor Zelenka - supported the council employee model; leaning toward an open recruitment as a matter of good public policy; asked about the estimated size of the applicant pool. • Councilor Semple - expressed support for Judge Gill who loves the work and has great experience; supported direct -appoint process. • Councilor Taylor - clarified that Judge Allen was automatically reappointed every time his contract was renewed; council may discontinue the judge's employment at any time; supported interviewing Judge Gill prior to appointment. • Councilor Evans - noted that Municipal Court had significant issue before the arrival of Judge Allen; supported the direct -appoint of Judge Gill and transitioning to the council employee model. • Mayor Vinis - clarified that the two decisions before council were whether they want to pursue a code amendment that would change the status of Presiding Judge to a council employee position and whether they wished to directly appoint Judge Gill. MOTION: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to direct the City Manager to 1) bring back the proposed code language in the AIS, Attachment A to a public hearing to make the City Judge a council employee and 2) to schedule as soon as practicable an interview with Judge Gill to consider the possibility of direct appointment of him. • Councilor Zelenka - asked about the sequencing of the two directions given by council • Councilor Syrett - said an interview of Judge Gill is important and supported scheduling it during a regular council work session; councilors can solicit questions from their constituents; expressed support for direct appoint option in recognition of Judge Gill's demonstrated experience and commitment to community. • Councilor Clark - agreed with Councilor Syrett and noted that the council has the ability to go a different direction after the interview, if the results of the interview warrant that. • Councilor Taylor - supported a process that gives others an opportunity to apply for the position. VOTE: PASSED 7:1, Councilor Taylor opposed. 3. WORK SESSION: Parking Update Parking and Technology Manager Jeff Petry outlined planned changes to the parking program fee schedule, and provided information about the input received to the proposed rate increase. MINUTES — Eugene City Council January 28, 2019 Page 2 Work Session