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Ms. Solomon agreed that the Economic Development Summit was well attended and a number of <br />interesting ideas were generated. She also attended a meeting of the Human Services ComiTiission. <br />Mr. Poling expressed concern about an individual who persisted in sending hundreds of email messages to <br />councilors, which had no substance and clogged the communications system. <br />Mr. Zelenka also attended the Economic Development Summit and thought there could have been more <br />information about how the region could be best positioned for the new "green" economy. He attended <br />meetings of the Sustainability Commission and two neighborhood associations. He commended Police <br />Auditor Mark Gissner for his presentations to the neighborhoods. He corrected a misstatement in The <br />Register Guard by pointing out that the council's intent was to review the use of Tasers after, not before, <br />the Police Commission Use of Force Subcommittee had completed its work. He commended City <br />employees who had received awards and noted that the Library Foundation had received a $1.2 million <br />grant. He asked if information was available on the financial impact should Measure 66 and 67 fail in <br />January 2010. Assistant City Manager Sarah Medary, said that staff was developing an impact analysis <br />for the council. <br />Mr. Clark also expressed disappointment over the lack of a frank discussion of public safety at the <br />downtown solutions meeting. He said that the EMS Subcommittee recommendations would address <br />solutions to ambulance service funding problems. <br />Ms. Taylor complimented City Manager Jon Ruiz for his responses to questions at a recent neighborhood <br />association meeting. Regarding the NLC, she indicated she was also a member of the Universities <br />Communities Council that provided a forum for the discussion of problems and ideas. She hoped the City <br />could become involved in the International Town and Gown Association. She said treatment of the river <br />through San Antonio could provide some useful ideas for Eugene's millrace. <br />Ms. Medary expressed her appreciation for the partnership among jurisdictions and agencies that was <br />demonstrated at the Economic Development Summit. She announced that closed captioning was now <br />available on broadcasts of council meetings. She and the Mayor met recently with a University official to <br />discuss Oregon 2020, a vision for a vibrant residential campus. <br />Ms. Piercy remarked that Eugene was active with the Town and Gown Association. <br />B. WORK SESSION: <br />Downtown Public Safety Issues <br />Planning and Development Executive Director Susan Muir and Police Chief Pete Ferns provided an <br />overview of the Downtown Safety Task Team, which they co- chaired. <br />Ms. Muir highlighted the four core strategies: Jobs and Redevelopment, Safety, Parking, and Amenities <br />and Attractions. She said the council had stressed that safety was the cornerstone to fostering a vibrant <br />downtown. The task team was developing projects related to each of the strategies and was tentatively <br />scheduled to present those at the council's December 16 meeting. <br />Chief Kerns said there was no doubt that crime in downtown significantly affected its livability and the <br />ability of businesses to prosper. He reviewed the composition of the task team, which included a wide <br />range of stakeholders and described its community policing/problem- solving approach to downtown <br />issues. Problems identified to date included lack of accountability /consequences, illegal and unpleasant <br />MINUTES Eugene City Council November 23, 2009 Page 2 <br />Work Session <br />