6.10.2019 City Council Work Session Minutes

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and paying for the enormous amount of security needs in 2021 and asked if any community safety money will be going towards this; asked about security in relation to potential terrorism; shared concerns about having a vote in seven years and what would happen if funding went from $23 million to $0; asked to see more of a breakdown about the proposed budget; expressed desire for more education in the community. • Councilor Evans - talked about a personal experience with inadequate police response and how calls are not being responded to even when there are dangerous situations; said there has been a chronic state of underfunding and under supporting criminal justice and public safety system for years and the bill has come due; expressed wanting to better protect the safety of the public and noted this plan includes police, fire, the court system, etc. • Councilor Clark- said most agree that this money is needed to protect the community, but disagree on the mechanism; expressed concern about dealing with issues in isolation without connecting the dots with other decisions being made at the table; said that he does not think the funding options were studied thoroughly and there are other options to consider; expressed support for sending the proposal to the voters. • Councilor Syrett - said that testimony submitted has been confusing and it's been hard to sift through all of it; talked about previous conversations about the gaps in the system and how this money will help provide a number of public services the community has asked for. • Councilor Zelenka - said that public safety services have been underfunded for decades and this proposal is the right package of services; expressed confidence in staff to implement this plan and to make sure it's done effectively; said he preferred the payroll tax compared to other potential funding options because those using the public safety system will be paying for it; supported exempting people who make less than $15 an hour; conveyed his struggle with the decision to send to voters or not. • Councilor Pryor - talked about City Council's role in studying issues, understanding the complex relationship between them and considering all elements in decision-making; supported the amendments as a reflection of thoughtful perspective about the proposal; expressed position that this proposal allows the City not to sacrifice priorities in one area for the sake of another. • Councilor Yeh - mentioned that in reading emails to City Council, it stood out that people were confused about this tax proposal and making wrong assumptions; said that this process has highlighted a communication problem and how much better informed the community could have been in order to provide more relevant feedback, expressed concerns about the seven-year vote and asked Chief Skinner for his opinion. • Councilor Semple - voiced concern about very low-income people and asked for scenarios for different rates based on wages, including if minimum wage were at 0. • Mayor Vinis - cautioned the councilors that when elements of the proposed formula are shifted, it shifts the other rates, affecting others at the top and undermining public support. • Councilor Zelenka - acknowledged that sending the proposal to the voters is risky, but it would be up to City Council to make sure voters can make informed decisions; said that this proposal is large enough and significant enough to be put out to the voters; voiced concerns about trying to interpret what voters mean if they vote for or against a charter amendment; supported outreach efforts to communicate that the need is very clear and getting the system in shape comes with a price tag. MINUTES - Eugene City Council June 10, 2019 Page 2 Work Session