2.23.2019 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes

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• Mia Cariaga - appreciated the hard work of elected officials; expressed gratitude for the services now available at the Library due to passage of the library levy. • Denny Brand - said his expectations for 2018 were exceeded with progress made on projects such as the downtown riverfront, Knight Campus, Hayward Field, town square/land swap, Obie development, housing tools and strategies conversation, Ya -Po -Ah Terrace, and Uber/Lyft. • Councilor Zelenka - said he felt much of 2018 was spent laying the groundwork and strategic planning for important initiatives, including work on the Climate Recovery Ordinance, Riverfront project, TAC Report, affordable housing and community safety bridge funding. • Sarah Medary - said that the organization achieved a great deal in 2018, and 2019 was an opportunity to continue those efforts; noting the town square project as an example, expressed confidence that Public Works and Planning Development would continue to find ways to work together strategically and physically. • Councilor Syrett - listed the partnership with the County on the TAC Report, Williams and dame contract, landswap, planning efforts in River Road/Santa Clara, parks bond and levy and immigration status protections as successes in 2018; expressed pride in the gender -diversity of the City Council. • Renee Grube - acknowledged the challenge of serving as an elected official; said executive staff and the community are feeling very optimistic and energized; looked forward to ambassador opportunities, implementation of Parks and Rec System Plan, and welcoming a new Library Director; thanked Mia Cariaga for her service as interim Library Director. • Chief Zaludek - recounted his department's efforts to resolve the gap in service delivery by gathering data and change the application of increased resource allocations, resulting in improved resuscitation rates; supported a continued commitment to prevention and community risk reduction initiatives. • Councilor Semple - expressed appreciation for progress on public safety bridge funding, prevention work with youth and homelessness, and increased downtown event programming; said more work is needed on providing shelter, the single -use plastics ban, and creation of a downtown day center. 2. Community Safety Revenue Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt, Finance Director Twylla Miller and Senior Financial Analyst Maurizio Bottalico gave a presentation on the work and findings of the Community Safety Revenue Team. Discussion • Councilor Semple - noted that if a structure is set up to collect the payroll tax, it could be used again for other City collection needs. • Councilor Syrett - said it is important to be clear that, as proposed, the payroll tax is not regressive; everyone pays proportionally into a system that everyone benefits from; noted that the Register- Guard reported conflicting information on projected tax amounts. • Councilor Clark- requested clarification about public employers' contribution; noted that a similarly structured tax previously proposed met with community resistance; supported a focus on creating more taxpayers rather than taxing existing taxpayers. • Councilor Zelenka - stated that flat tax fees are regressive; asked whether non -profits would be included. • Councilor Taylor - said that even a minimal amount is significant to low wage earners; supported lobbying the State for changes to the lodging tax, consideration of a marijuana tax, income tax or business license fee. • Councilor Pryor - said the revenue committee did initial research and analysis to identify what can be done; acknowledged that not every possible option was explored but the resulting proposal was thought to be feasible. MINUTES - Eugene City Council February 23, 2019 Page 2 Workshop