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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/1986 Meeting (2) , M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council Bon-Sai Restaurant, 44 East 7th Avenue November 19, 1986 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Debra Ehrman, Emily Schue, Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Jeff Miller, Cynthia Wooten (5:45-6:15 p.m.) COUNCILORS ABSENT: Richard Hansen, Roger Rutan. The adjourned meeting of November 19, 1986, of the City Council of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by Council Vice President Debra Ehrman in the absence of Mayor Brian B. Obie and Council President Richard Hansen. Ms. Ehrman welcomed the following members of the Crime Action Task Force: Steve Adey, Jerome Colonna, Thomas English, Richard Greene, Jan Gund, Harold Jole, Mikal Krummel, Donna Lattin, Sylvia Roehnelt, Bill Sweet, Nadia Telsey, Liz Thwing, and Gloria Timmons. Ms. Ehrman thanked the members of the Crime Action Task Force (CATF) for their hard work. e I. REPORT FROM CRIME ACTION TASK FORCE Ms. Wooten, Chairperson of the CATF, said the CATF represents ci t i zen participation on a local 1 eve 1. at its fi nest. Following a public forum on cri me prevention on May 14, 1986, the CATF was formed and undertook preparation of a report which would indicate how to support and enhance crime prevention in Eugene. She said CATF members served on five subcommittees which dealt with nUisances/quality of environment, substance abuse, crimes against persons, crimes against property, and youth/juvenile issues. She said CATF members discovered that the community is concerned about not feeling safe in homes and businesses and that the reasons for crimes need to be considered in a crime prevention program. She said better coordination and communication are needed among the social service agencies. Both short- and long-term solutions and programs are needed. Ms. Wooten introduced the CATF staff and thanked them for their excellent assistance. She said the CATF will have a public forum on November 24, 1986, at the Campbell Senior Center. Margorie Beck of the City Manager's Office reviewed the work of the committee and introduced Donna Lattin, Vice Chairperson of the committee. Ms. La t tin said the CATF is composed of 18 people with very diverse backgrounds. She discussed the recommendations in the committee's report. She said they are . MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 1 ~ diverse, innovative, and balanced. She said they stress empathy, accountability, prevention, response, and community involvement. e CATF members reviewed the following high priority program recommendations with the council: A. Community Services Specialists Richard Greene said the best deterrents to crime are clearly defined laws, a visible, uniformed police presence, immediate and adequate sanctions, and public education. He discussed Recommendation #44, which suggests eight Community Service Specialists be added to the Police, Fire and Emergency . Services Department. He said the specialists will take reports, staff the window in the Police Department, work with the Neighborhood Watch program, and enforce the Fire Code. They will relieve sworn officers of some duties. The recommendation is to have four Community Service Specialists in the Police Patrol Division, two specialists in the Police Community Affairs Division, two specialists in fire prevention, and two specialists in crime prevention. B. Crime Prevention Unit Gloria Timmons discussed Recommendation #36, which recommends establishment of a Crime Prevention Unit (and a Neighborhood Watch Program) in the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department. She said a Crime Prevention Unit and a Neighborhood Watch Program will enable average citizens to participate with law enforcement officers in protecting the community. She said they will assist people in reporting crimes and in preventing such crimes as child abuse, robbery, vandalism, and substance abuse. e C. Human Services Intervention Team Bill Sweet discussed Recommendation #45, which establishes a human services intervention team. He said said some homeless people and some youth cause problems for residents and business people. The homeless people and youth engage in nuisance behavior and often become victims of crime. He said the human services intervention team program would provide responses to confrontations and nuisance behavior and would provide protective support when it is needed. He described the $300,000 24-hour program and the $130,000 12- to IS-hour program. D. Social Services Coordination Jan Gund discussed the community's need for social services. She said only about 50 percent of the needs are being met and only about 10 percent of the people with mental disorders are being served. She said a survey by CATF members indicated there is some duplication of services and there is a need for additional personnel and funds. Ms. Gund asked if the community has a responsibility to provide a safety net for people who need it? If increased assistance for people who need it would increase the need for,assistance? If social services could be maximized? She wondered who should take the initiative in answering her questions. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 2 Nadia Telsey discussed the kinds of services that social service agencies can provide. She said many crimes are not reported but intervention is needed. e She said coordination and cooperation are needed among the social service agencies and between the agencies and the City police. She distributed a list of goals for cooperation titled, "Proposal for Networking Between EPD and Agencies/Individuals Dealing with Crimes Against Persons." The councilors and CATF members divided into three groups to discuss the proposals at 6:35 p.m. Group 1 Participants: Gloria Timmons, Hal Jole, Mikal Krummel, Tom English, Crime Action Task Force; Freeman Holmer, City Councilor; Bill DeForrest, Sherry Connolly, April Norman, Donna Isadore, Cathy Czerniak, staff. Overview of Crime Action Task Force Report Crime Action Task Force (CATF) members asked Councilor Holmer to describe his overall impression after reading the final CATF report. Councilor Holmer suggested that it would have been helpful to the council if the report had a tighter focus and fewer total recommendations. However, Councilor Holmer thought that the council would be able to work with the 71 recommendations by focusing on particular areas of the report. Councilor Holmer assured the CATF members that public safety is one of the council's priorities. CATF members emphasized that there is a critical need to imp 1 ement the e recommendations in the report and make public safety the council's number one priority. Task force members explained that a great deal of time and effort was spent on developing recommendations that would not require additional money and that those recommendations should not be overlooked. The CATF developed recommendations that.would use existing talents and resources in new, more effective, ways to reduce crime. Members of the task force stressed that they wanted the community to focus on the public safety issues that come out of the report rather than the money issues. Councilor Holmer recognized the many recommendations that do not require money to implement, but reminded the task force members that the recommendations that do require additional money to implement will generate the most controversy and discussion. Funding Councilor Holmer asked task force members how they would propose to fund implementing the more costly recommendations. CATF members suggested that crime in our community has become a real concern and that the community may now be willing to accept cuts in other parts of the City budget to allow increased funding for pub 1 i c safety. Task force members said that they bel ieved that a publ ic safety tax levy would be approved by the voters. Councilor Holmer questioned whether public safety instead of lower priority items should be put up for a vote. Several task force members agreed, stating that public safety should be funded because it is the council's first priority. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 3 Ongoing Advisory Group e Councilor Holmer raised several questions about the advisory group. Why such a large number of people? Should a group this size be appointed by the council ? Should each neighborhood group be represented on the committee instead of just six? Is it appropriate for a councilor to be on the advisory group? The CATF members explained that that they had struggled with the composition of the advisory group and that the important issue was that a variety of interests were represented on the group. The task force members emphasized that the purpose of the group would be to support law enforcement and that the composition of the group could be flexible. Councilor Holmer commented that the intent of the advisory group was fine and that perhaps, if . the group gave quarterly reports to the neighborhood leaders, the neighborhood representation on the advisory group could be eliminated which would make the size of the committee more workable. Human Services Intervention Councilor Holmer expressed concern that if the City were to get into providing intervention services, it may be getting into the territory of some of the social service agencies. Task force members explained that the intent of the CATF is for the City to coordinate with existing social service agencies to provide additional services. Task force members said that a balance between enforcement and service was necessary; one without the other would not work. Councilor Holmer asked if the CATF had recommended a change in the Joint Social Service structure. CATF members responded that th~y felt the report did express some dissatisfaction with the structure and that the ongoing advisory group would most likely do additional work in this area. e Additional Comments Councilor Holmer questioned the political feasibility of Recommendation #66 (Establish a public safety user fee on tax-exempt property...). He suggested this might be done on a voluntary basis. Task force members said that they believed tax-exempt property owners would be willing to contribute to public sa fety. Task force members asked Councilor Holmer if he thought the recommendations that are not City-related would IIget lost?1I Councilor Holmer replied that for recommendations such as those dealing with school-related issues the City could encourage but not direct that the recommendations be implemented. Task force members agreed and explained that the intent of non City-related recommendations was for the city: 1) to take a leadership role in all aspects of the community: 2) to increase the visibility of public safety issues, and: 3) to develop a working relationship and ongoing dialogue between the City and other organizations. Councilor Holmer expressed some reservations about Recommendation #68 (tax incentives for single room occupancy housing). He suggested that there are other ways to deal with housing issues without creating tax incentives. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 4 Task force members urged Councilor Holmer to ride along with a police officer to gain a better understanding of the public safety issues in our community. e (Recorded by Cathy Czerniak, CATF staff) Group 2 Participants: Richard Greene, Jan Gund, Sylvia Roehnelt, Jerry Colonna, Nadia Telsey, CATF Members; Emily Schue, Cynthia Wooten, Councilors; Marge Beck, Christine Donahue, Mike Gleason, Ev Hall, staff. The group discussed the following issues: Social Service Networking: - Networking is expensive and time consuming, but valuable. - Service agencies could use a centralized support agency for coordinated clerical support, procurement, legal issues. - Lane Interagency Network (LINK) is an existing structure. Public safety: - City Council priority and 50 percent of General Fund. - Are CATF proposals unrealistic since General Fund is fiscally unstable? - Citizens have contacted CATF members regarding public safety; the average citizen is more concerned with safety, library, parks and recreation than with big community projects. e - Businesses like plasma centers and Southern Pacific Railroad need to take responsibility for their customers. Recreation Programs and Activities for Youth: . - Parks and Recreation schedule lists youth activities, but more alternative activities are needed to combat substance abuse. - Presently, ESP provides programs for young children; middle school ages are not well served; high school programs are only for highly skilled people; City Parks and Recreation provides adult programs. - Recreation plans should be built into housing developments. - Schools can playa role in providing alternative healthy activities for youth for free time. - Make better use of public resources by coordinating programs and integrating recreation activities through shared use of City and school facilities. Education: - Rape, incest, sexual harassment, etc., are privatized crimes; statistics do not reflect the size of the problem; women are afraid to go out at night. - Education for youth should include education on assault, acquaintance rape, etc. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 5 Alternative Funding for Public Safety: e - PFES is trying to develop creative solutions for programs through grants from Fred Meyer, CDBG, etc. - Public safety users' fee requires State legislation; the City would need to lobby at the State level. - Businesses might donate funds for public safety, e.g., USBA might help pay for a Community Services Specialist for West University Neighborhood. (Recorded by Christine Donahue, CATF staff) . Group 3 Participants: Debra Ehrman, Ruth Bascom, City Council; Steve Adey, Donna Lattin, Bill Sweet, CATF members; Sgt. Tim McCarthy, Jenna Knight, CATF staff; Dave Whitlow, Deputy Chief Marilyn Nelson, Deputy Chief John Rutledge, Sandy Franklin, Mike Gleason, staff. Steve Adey opened the meeting by highlighting key points from the Introduction of the final report. Social Service Recommendation - Debra Ehrman indicated that currently a regional social service needs assessment project is being conducted. The' task force should be aware of this process for possible future funding of programs and to avoid duplication e of services. - Ruth Bascom noted that Jody Miller and Steve Manilla were contact persons on this issue. - The need for increased cooperation and communication between agencies was discussed by the group. - Steve Adey stressed that the top five recommendations were equal and not prioritized. Budget Issues - CATF members stated that current funding for social service agencies and public safety is inadequate. - Ruth Bascom indicated that public safety is one of the five top priorities set by the City Council. - Dave Whitlow added that from a financial standpoint, public safety is the # 1 priority. - Steve Adey questioned the recent City departmental budget cuts. - Dave Whitlow indicated that public safety was cut less than other departments (1.5 percent versus 3 percent or higher). Community Service Specialists - Debra Ehrman asked about any difficulties with the proposed e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 6 positions and the unions. - Marilyn Nelson said the issue was being dealt with and e that her department was working with the unions. The unions had expressed concern about CSS personnel being viewed as public safety officers. - Steve Adey asked if Dave Whitlow or Micheal Gleason had addressed possible financial savings through the use of CSS positions. Mike Gleason was invited to the table and shared the following information: - In order to make budget projections, definable standards for a given service level are needed, e.g., how long should it take an officer to respond to a Part 1 crime? - The City Council must clarify the basic service level and then determine the best means to maintain that service 1 eve 1 . - Current standards are in place informally. - We are budgeting by "anorexia" which causes decaying standards--although response time to major crimes is still good. - CSS's would relieve officers of mundane duties--80 percent of their time was not criminal-related. Additional Social Service intervention is needed. - Also, the jail situation needs to be worked on. - Steve Adey noted that the City supported the jail bond issues. Neighborhood Watch e - Debra Ehrman asked for a status report. - Sgt. Tim McCarthy shared that currently his office sends materials and gives verbal encouragement--that's all. - Steve Adey said that reorganization of groups is needed about every 18 months. Two CSS positions are not enough for an adequate Neighborhood Watch Program along with other crime prevention duties. He indicated the need for additional support from uniformed officers. Perception of Crime in Eugene - Steve Adey said that the average Eugene citizen perceives that the crime situation is bad. - Micheal Gleason added that there is a serious drug problem in Eugene and throughout the US. However, he was fearful of the reaction if we shove more money for additional po 1 ice offi cers. - Bill Sweet countered that we need more officers. Currently, only three work in Narcotics and 1.5 in sex crimes. - John Rutledge added that only felonies are being investigated due to staff constraints. - Donna Lattin urged the council members to participate in the Ride-Along Program. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 7 Priority Recommendations ~ - Steve Adey noted that many of the recommendations were low .., budget requests and highlighted several. - Ban of Fortified Wine: Micheal Gleason shared that according to current regulations, liquor can be banned in a district, but not in a city. It's possible to establish and define a district. - County-wide ban on drug paraphernalia: Debra Ehrman questioned how this proposed ban would affect established businesses. Bill Sweet suggested a phased-out schedule. - Matrix System: Debra Ehrman requested clarification on the proposa 1 . Discussion concluded at 7:30 p.m. (Recorded by Jenna Knight, CATF staff) About 7:35 p.m., Ms. Ehrman asked a councilor at each table to summarize the discussion. She said the people at her table discussed the introduction to the CATF report and committee members emphasized that some of the recommendations will not be expensive to implement. She said she and Ms. Bascom di scussed a study bei ng completed for the Joi nt Soci a 1 Servi ces Committee that will assess the needs of social service providers and the coordination needed among them. She said the Joint Social Services Committee encourages cooperation among the agencies. ~ Ms. Schue said people in her group discussed ways of funding the CATF's .., recommendations. They also discussed recreational opportunities for young people, crimes which are not usually reported, and the value of riding with police officers while they work. Mr. Holmer said people in his group discussed the composition of the recommended Citizen Advisory Group to the Police, Fire and Emergency Services. He said the group will probably be responsible for the implementation of the many recommendations that do not involve the City. He said the group also discussed Recommendation #66 which suggests that non-profit organizations make a public service contribution to the City. Summarizing, Ms. Lattin said the presentations to the council were about recommendations in the report that had the highest priorities. She emphasized that the many other recommendations are also important. Ms. Ehrman adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. ~~, ME~~~ s n City Manager (Recorded by Betty Lou Rarick) 4It MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session November 19, 1986 Page 8