CC Minutes - 07/21/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Pap6 said that his discussions with residents indicated to him that the measure would be difficult to pass. He said that the elected officials needed to persuade the community that the programs proposed were new and would improve the safety of the community. Mr. Rayor asked about the capital costs associated with the substations, and the potential that the Police and Fire departments could share space. He suggested that the police could locate a substation in a trailer located near its pump stations to save money. Mr. Johnson said that there were no capital costs included in the estimates as the City proposed to use existing spaces such as storefront locations. He noted that in the case of the Bethel substation, Sacred Heart Hospital had offered the City free space in its new complex. He anticipated that staff would look at storefronts in Churchill and noted the potential of portable modual units. Mr. Johnson reported on a discussion he had with District Attorney Douglas Harcleroad, who he had invited to review the proposal. Mr. Harcleroad had raised the issue of the additional workload the proposal would generate for the District Attorney's Office, and requested the City consider funding the costs of a half-time deputy district attorney and a half-time office assistant in the amount of $51,000 to recognize that impact. Responding to a question from Mr. Meisner, Mr. Johnson clarified that the half-time positions would not be solely devoted to City of Eugene work. Mr. Torrey supported Mr. Harcleroad's request and said the council should identify all associated costs to the public. He cautioned the council against funding the Contingency Fund items or the homeless program at this time. He also supported the position taken by Ms. Nathanson and Mr. Fart regarding youth-oriented activities and their relationship to substations at Churchill and Bethel. He said that in some areas people have the perception that the City police presence is nonexistent, and that perception must be overcome. He agreed with Mr. Pap6's remarks about people's perception of their safety. Mr. Torrey said that the proposal took the City a long way toward implementing community policing. Ms. Nathanson noted that the State provided funding for prosecution services, and asked if the request from Mr. Harcleroad implied the State was intentionally under-funding prosecution services. Mr. Johnson said yes. Ms. Nathanson said that it was important to note that cities were having to beef up the funding coming from the State for prosecution services while receiving less money in revenue sharing. Ms. Nathanson noted her support for all the elements of the entire proposal. She hoped the County would refer a measure to the voters in November so the City could build on what was already happening. Mr. Meisner moved, seconded by Ms. Nathanson, to approve, in concept, the recommended service package as outlined in attachments 1 and 2 as an expression of the council's general intent for the expenditure of potential Public Safety Coordinating Council measure revenue-sharing funds. Mr. Johnson said that it was his sense of the council's discussion that a second substation would be added, funding for the summer programming would be eliminated, and funding for a half-time district attorney would be added. Mr. Torrey pointed out that the document before the council was a draft, and councilors would see it again. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 21, 1999 Page 13 5:30 p.m.