CC Minutes - 02/08/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Belcher agreed that the issue of neighborhood representation should be addressed when defining active neighborhood rather than by modifying the mission statement for all neighborhood associations. Mr. Wostman agreed. At Mr. Weinman's suggestion, the council agreed to return to the mission statement later and move on to other issues that might clarify the statement for them. Mr. Weinman reviewed the redesign options, followed by the council's discussion. Item I. Structural Reorganization of Neighborhood Associations The options for this item included: 1) define "Active" Neighborhood Associations; 2) change neighborhood boundaries; and 3) joint Neighborhood Leaders Council and City Council meeting. Item II. Increase Emphasis on Neighborhood Improvement Projects Mr. Weinman reviewed the options: 1) a matching grant program; 2) Neighborhood Association annual work plan and report; 3) an annual community needs program; 4) expand neighborhood block watches; and 5) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) involvement. Several councilors expressed interest in using CDBG funds for neighborhood matching grants. Item III. Strategies to Improve Communication with Neighborhood Residents The options under this item were: 1) increase newsletter funding; and 2) fund a Citywide newsletter. Mr. Pap~ ascertained that The Register-Guard could not "finely enough" distribute newsletters to specific neighborhoods. Item IV. Training for Neighborhood Based Organizations The options under this strategy were: 1) training for active neighborhoods; 2) neighborhood office space; 3) staff liaison pilot program; and 4) organize dormant areas. Item V. Neighborhood Empowerment and Improvement The options listed were: 1) involve neighborhood groups in land use decisions; and 2) adopt refinement plans for each neighborhood. Mr. Fart emphasized the importance of the program, saying that many of the "bumps in the road" the council has encountered could have been avoided had there been more input from the community at the outset. He asked if the cost estimate for changing neighborhood boundaries included staffing new neighborhood meetings. Mr. Weinman said it did not; it covers a study to determine if it would make sense to change those boundaries. Mr. Kelly echoed and agreed with Mr. Farr's comments, saying the program was a way to have a positive relationship between residents and their government. He said his highest priorities for the program were a combination of adequate newsletter funding and the active neighborhood MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 8, 1999 Page 2 5:30 p.m.