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Mr. Coyle said the budget discussions relative to supplementing the Construction Permit (151) Fund were focused on the issue of public information. He said the $60,000 being discussed was working capital being generated out of the fees of the 151 fund. Further, the amendment would turn the whole plan upside down and take funds generated by fees and turn them into support for a public function. He stressed his understanding of the customer frustration regarding the information desk at the PIC being open only part of the day, but also emphasized that both himself and Building & Permit Services Division Manager Marsha Miller felt that using the funding for cross-training was the most effective use of those dollars. Councilor Bettman said she would support the amendment. Councilor Papd said he was in favor of having full time staff at the information desk. In response to a question from Councilor Papd regarding if the amendment were done on a one-time basis and whether the next budget could be rewritten to reflect the council's desire to augment\sustain the public information desk position. Mr. Coyle said the answer was two-fold. He said a decision needed to be made about the level of financing public information as it related to the PIC and in the long-term context of the goal of making the inspection function one that was self-supporting. He said that cross-training would be necessary to achieve that goal. He said management had very little discretion in that choice. He stressed the need to get city inspectors trained in as many different fields as possible. He said the costs that were hurting his department were travel times between inspections and reiterated that cross-training would make that process more efficient. Councilor Nathanson raised concern that cross-training would spread employees too thin and would, ultimately, reduce efficiency. In response to a question from Councilor Meisner regarding additional cross-training in the future, Mr. Coyle said there would be an ongoing training process. In response to a question from Councilor Meisner regarding how cross-training would affect increases in wages, Mr. Coyle said there would be incremental increases in wages. In response to a question from Councilor Meisner regarding whether fees were distinguished between lesser and more complicated inspections, Mr. Coyle said the fee was based on the value of improvement to the home/facility. He added that if an inspection was being done on a unique facility such as Antzen Stadium or the new library, then the inspection would be much more intensive. Councilor Rayor noted that the general public desired to have the desk opened for additional hours. City Manager Carlson noted that Councilor Kelly's amendment did not amend the resolution but directed how the appropriated money would be spent. He agreed with Mr. Coyle regarding using fees paid by customers for public information. Councilor Bettman commented that the time to debate the merits of a new service was through the budget process. MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 9, 2002 Page 7 Regular Meeting