CC Minutes - 09/23/02 Work Session

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If someone asked the commission to speak, he believed commissioners would be happy to do so. Ms. Nathanson asked about the threshold of attendance for staff members. Mr. Brown indicated he would pass along the question, but thought staff would be happy to attend in conjunction with the commissioners. Mr. Fart said that the continuation of the Safer Schools was a big issue for him, and he agreed with Mr. Brown that it was supported by the community. He hoped that the council would continue to fund the program, which he characterized as community policing at its finest. Mr. Pap~ hoped the commission had time in its work program to address the false alarm ordinance. Ms. Shore provided a brief overview of the commission's proposed fiscal year 2003 work program. She indicated that the commission would seek direction from the council on possible additions to the work program, such as the false alarm ordinance and bicycle policy. Mayor Torrey solicited comments on the information provided by Ms. Shore. Mr. Meisner asked if the commission would be considering at the use of cameras at intersections for the purpose of traffic enforcement. Ms. Shore said yes. Mr. Meisner said that the work program was very ambitious; he was reluctant to add anything further to the plan. He was pleased to see the commission's comprehensive approach to substance abuse and its relationship to crime. Mr. Meisner suggested that the work program was lacking any mention of the commission's role in the hiring of a new police chief. He asked if the commission envisioned a role in that process. Mr. Brown responded that as part of its final report, it recommended prior experience in community policing implementation should be a criterion for a new chief. The commission had not gotten into the hiring process. Mr. Meisner asked if the commission wanted a role. Mr. Brown believed the commission would be very interested in being involved and thought its input could be useful. Dr. Katul said that in the past the commission was prohibited from participating in hiring processes. Mr. Meisner suggested the development of criteria and participation on community panels as appropriate roles for the commission. Mr. Carlson concurred; advice from legal counsel was that sitting members of City advisory committees cannot participate it the selection process, but could suggest criteria and hiring characteristics to be incorporated into the job description. Ms. Nathanson said that substance abuse was not a problem Eugene could solve alone, nor was it generally within its budgetary purview. With regard to the interface between substance abuse treatment and law enforcement, she welcomed the commission's involvement in determining Eugene's role in the problem of substance abuse. She suggested that her work on the Public Safety Coordinating Council (PSCC) could dovetail well with the work done by the commission. She cited the work of the Custody Referee as an example, saying that if the referee was not present when an intoxicated person was admitted to the jail, that could displace a person who committed a more serious crime. She believed that Eugene should look at the entire system and see how it works. She acknowledged the heavy work program of the commission. Mr. Fart commended the composition of the commission, saying it was well-chosen and well- balanced. He said that Bethel was lucky to have a substation, which helped make the officers MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 23, 2002 Page 6 Work Session