HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/1990 Meeting
e M I NUT E S
Eugene City Council
McNutt Room--Eugene City Hall
November 19, 1990
5:30 p.m.
COUNCILORS PRESENT: Emily Schue, Roger Rutan, Ruth Bascom, Shawn Boles,
Debra Ehrman, Bobby Green, Paul Nicholson, Kaye
Robinette.
The regular Eugene City Council meeting was called to order by His Honor
Mayor Jeff Miller.
I. WORK SESSION: STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
Mr. Gleason said he had four goals to ask the council to achieve at the
meeting: 1) agreement to reprioritize and reorganize the council's goals and
work plan; 2) adoption of a budget strategy for FY91-92; 3) adoption of a
strategic plan proposal; and 4) agreement to conduct a performance audits.
e Mr. Gleason said the purpose of the strategies proposed by staff was to buy
the council the time necessary to engage the community in a conversation
regarding the level of City services and revenues. He stressed that unless
the council was able to make decisions in a timely manner, it would find
itself in an argument rather than a dialogue with the community.
Mr. Gleason cautioned the council against moving too quickly on the design of
the strategic planning effort. He said the council had time to do the
process correctly. However, he noted that the organization lacked the
internal resources to complete the details of the design. Staff had prepared
a preliminary broad process outline for the council to review. Mr. Gleason
recommended that the council take time to secure the necessary external
expertise in the design process.
Mr. Gleason said the basic strategy developed by staff was to buy time and
was divided into two directions. One direction linked the Ballot Measure 5
Response Program and the strategic planning process together into a strategy
to build cornmunity consensus. That strategy would entail asking the
community the question, "What do you want the organization to look like?
What services do you want? What levels of service? What revenues will pay
for that service?" Mr. Gleason said an internal task team headed by Barb
Bellamy will support that effort. He said the second direction had an
external focus in the Legislative Program.
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 1
e Mr. Gleason noted that staff had distributed copies of a document entitled,
"City of Eugene Compensation Report" to the council. He reminded the council
that the document had been requested during the most recent budget cycle. He
advised the council to schedule a work session to review the compensation
document.
Regarding the issue of performance audits, Mr. Gleason recommended that the
council incorporate the review of the compensation document into a
performance audit. He pointed out that the basic staff work had been done on
the issue. He noted that Mr. Rutan and Mr. Boles had been assigned by the
council to work on performance audits. He suggested the possibility of an
audit of the City's compensation program. Mr. Gleason further suggested that
administrative overhead might be the subject of another performance audit.
A. Ballot Measure 5
Mr. Wong noted that staff had distributed copies of the overhead presentation
he was to make to councilors. In addition, the packet material included a
summary of the Attorney General's Office opinion regarding Ballot Measure 5;
a paper prepared by Michael Newman of the City Attorney's Office regarding
the legality of the City's user fees and charges relative to Ballot Measure
5; a report from bond counsel regarding the ballot measure and measuring its
impacts (Mr. Wong noted that the report had been written prior to passage of
the ballot measure); and notice from Public Financial Management that
Moody's and Standard and Poors have all jurisdictions in the State of Oregon
on a credit watch. Mr. Wong pointed out that the latter notice meant that
e attempting to sell debt at this point in time would be difficult, if not
impossible. He added that City staff is working with the State Treasurer's
Office and Municipal Debt Advisory Commission to implement procedures that
will make public debt marketable. Mr. Wong said the final item in the packet
was a summary of the discussions of the Legislative Joint Interim Committee
on Revenue and School Finance.
Mr. Wong reviewed a series of overheads for the council. He said that the
key provisions of the ballot measure included the following:
1. Limits operating property tax rate for non school government
entities to $10 per $1,000 assessed valuation; tax base and serial
levies.
Mr. Wong observed that the combined Lane County/City of Eugene rate was
$10.17 per $1,000, excluding general obligation debt service.
2. User fees and charges: May impact those that are imposed
" . . . upon property or upon a property owner as a direct
consequence of ownership of that property except for incurred
charges and assessments for local improvements."
Mr. Wong said the Downtown Development District's ad valorem rate was
construed to be a property tax under the Attorney General's opinion, which
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 2
e would exacerbate nongovernmental rates within the district. Mr. Wong said
staff was examining all the City's user fees.
3. General obligation bonded debt is excluded from $10 rate cap; must
be voted on by the public.
4. Bancroft bonds--bonds for local public improvement districts must
be voted on to receive general obligation pledge.
Mr. Wong reminded the council that under former State law, the primary source
of repayment for Bancroft bonds was the assessment payments from property
owners; the secondary source was the ability to levy a property tax without a
vote. Ballot Measure 5 takes away that authority. Mr. Wong said that the
City had intended to finance current assessment projects with Bancroft Bonds
sold in spring 1991 and now the City cannot sell the bonds. Staff is
assessing the City's position regarding outstanding projects and has issued
short-term notes as interim financing. Mr. Wong said the City could finance
its projects through revenue bonds backed by assessment payments but that
would not satisfy the credit market. In order to finance the projects, the
City will have to pledge additional revenue streams or create additional
security.
Ms. Bascom asked for further detail regarding the projects that were to have
been funded through the sale of Bancroft bonds. Mr. Wong said the projects
were located throughout the community and included sidewalks, sewers, and
road improvements. Mr. Miller asked if the River Road/Santa Clara project
e was included. Mr. Wong said that project was to be financed through
assessment bonds. The City had pledged as secondary security any remaining
resources in the Sewer Fund and its good faith effort to look for other
financing if assessments were insufficient. He noted that the result of the
measure was that it will cost property owners more money for local
improvement districts.
5. General obligation bonds can only be used for "capital
construction or improvements."
Mr. Wong said that the effect of this provision was unclear and may not be
resolved until the Legislature meets or there was litigation. The provision
might mean that City would be unable to buy open space as it had ten years
previous when the City sold the parklands acquisition bond.
Mr. Wong reviewed an overhead detailing the Attorney General's opinion as to
what constitutes property taxes and what user fees and charges might be
considered property taxes. He said every department will inventory its user
fees and charges for further review. Mr. Wong noted that the systems
development ordinance developed by the Council Committee on Infrastructure
and drafted by the City Attorney's Office was written to avoid the effects of
Ballot Measure 5.
Responding to a question from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Wong said that State Motor
Vehicle registration fees were considered a tax under the measure.
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 3
e Mr. Wong reviewed an overhead outlining the fiscal effects of Ballot Measure
5 on FY92. He estimated a loss of revenue of $1.8 million in FY92 and
anticipated that the loss would escalate in future years. Mr. Wong clarified
that the loss was dependent upon the assessed valuation and the tax levies of
the jurisdictions competing for the $10 per $1,000 rate. In the metropolitan
area, the City and County compete for the $10. Mr. Nicholson asked how the
partition was determined. Mr. Wong said that, given a $10 cap, Eugene levied
$9 and Lane County levied $2. Any amount over the $10 was pro-rated on a
2/11, 9/11 proportion.
Responding to a question from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Wong said that in many
jurisdictions the assessed valuation is not equal to real market values,
which is what the constitutional amendment calls for. In theory, if the real
assessed valuation were moved closer to real market, the impact on property
taxes might be mitigated. Mr. Boles asked if staff had any idea of the
difference to be realized if the City used real market value as the basis of
the tax. Mr. Wong said he would attend a meeting with the County Assessor
the following week to discuss the issue. Responding to a further question
from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Wong confirmed that if the assessed valuation
increased, the rate would move down under the cap.
Mr. Wong said staff had included State shared revenues on the list as a
potential loss due to the mandate given the State by the measure to make up
the shortfall for schools. He anticipated the State would look to these
revenues, realized by taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, to make up the
e shortfall.
Regarding the impact of the measure on the downtown Urban Renewal District,
Mr. Wong said that the City can continue most activities and pay for debt
service and certificates of participation on the Conference Center but will
not be able to do many projects in the district, given the increment flow
anticipated by staff.
Mr. Wong said the impact of the measure on the user fees and charges,
agreements with Lane County, and State grants and agreements were unknown.
He said that the City could lose $1 million to $1.5 million if the Urban
Transition Agreement is adversely affected. Mr. Boles asked if the airport
debt service and subvention moneys would be eliminated. Mr. Wong said yes.
He added that if the City loses State shared revenues, it would need to
determine how to pay the general obligation bonds on the airport.
Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Wong anticipated considerable
legal research into the issue of tax-increment financing.
B. Recommended Actions for FY91-FY92
Mr. Wong said that prior to the passage of Ballot Measure 5, staff had
projected an FY92 General Fund operating deficit of $297,000. Assuming the
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) was funded at the proposed $2.5 million
level, the projected total deficit for FY92 would be $2.75 million. Mr. Wong
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 4
e noted that the Budget Committee had not funded the CIP at its full amount for
several years, so the deficit was overstated by about $1 million. Mr. Wong
combined the projected deficit and anticipated revenue loss from Ballot
Measure 5 on the General Fund at $5.35 million.
Responding to a question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Wong did not anticipate that the
City would lose more than $2.6 million from the State. He added that the
property tax revenues could be adversely affected by a recession. Mr. Wong
said that it was his opinion that State shared revenues would be lost to the
City. Mr. Gleason believed that the loss in revenues could be higher over
time if the State chose to fund schools with Gas Tax Trust Fund dollars or
changed the allocation of County timber receipts. Responding to a further
question from Mr. Rutan, Mr. Gleason said that there are Federal guidelines
covering timber tax expenditures that stipulate the states allocate the money
to school districts and counties on a 25-75-percent ratio.
Mr. Wong described strategies developed by staff to mitigate the impact of
the measure. He said it was staff's goal to carry forward additional
resources into FY92 to enable the council to complete the strategic plan,
making FY92 a transition year. Mr. Wong believed the operating budget
strategies could realize approximately $800,000.
In response to a question from Mr. Rutan regarding the relationship between
the $800,000 goal identified by staff and the operating deficit of $297,000,
Mr. Gleason said the items being cut included such items as materials and
supplies, holding positions vacant, and travel and training. Staff is trying
e to avoid impacting community services. Mr. Gleason said that, however,
before the deficit had been calculated, there had been considerable
discussion regarding anticipated baseline cuts. Mr. Gleason said that those
cuts will affect the ability of the organization to respond to community
demand. He said that staff will attempt to keep such service cuts to a
minimum in order to avoid starting an argument with the community before the
council can start a conversation.
Mr. Wong said as a further method to realize savings, staff was proposing
cuts of $1,328,365 to the current capital budget. He showed the council an
overhead listing the cuts and clarified that they were projects for which
funds are currently appropriated. In some cases, the projects are ready to
be started or might already be contracted. Mr. Gleason added that the total
was not precise because of uncertainty over the status of all the projects
and their relationship to other projects. He recommended acceptance of the
concept to deauthorize the capital projects on the list. Mr. Gleason said
that the action would give the council needed time and flexibility to process
the strategic plan. He said that if the State does not take away revenues as
anticipated, it would be possible to add the items back to the budget in the
future.
Mr. Boles asked if the staff recommendation was predicated on the concept
that no new revenues would be sought. Mr. Gleason said staff would present
the council with options for new revenues. Mr. Boles questioned whether the
organization could afford to make such cuts, noting that they included an
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 5
e HVAC upgrade and building rehabilitation and maintenance. Mr. Gleason said
he had sought further information from Public Works Department staff
regarding the items included in the items cited by Mr. Boles. He had not yet
received that information and could not respond to Mr. Boles. He asked the
council to accept the concept and promised to bring back more details on the
cuts.
The council reviewed an overhead listing options for new revenue sources and
anticipated revenues shown in millions of dollars. Mr. Wong used a series of
overheads to illustrate options for one-time resources and program cuts. Mr.
Gleason said staff recommended a cornbined approach: the administrative
spending control/revenue enhancements, cutting both the General Fund Capital
Budgets for FY91 and FY92, one-time resources not yet defined, and revenue
enhancements and service adjustments to the FY92 budget.
Referring to the options for new revenue, Ms. Ehrman asked if legal analysis
had been made of the utility tax or real estate transfer tax. Mr. Wong said
the utility tax, if designed correctly, could be imposed. There is a
moratorium on imposition of a real estate transfer tax until 1993.
Responding to a question from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Wong said the City has the
authority to impose any user fee, charge, or tax not prohibited by State
statute or the State Constitution.
Mr. Boles asked about the possibility of examining a solution to the impacts
of Ballot Measure 5 in conjunction with Springfield and Lane County. Mr.
Wong said staff is still attempting to determine the impacts of the measure.
e Mr. Gleason said that he has talked to other administrators throughout the
state. The effect of the measure on each jurisdiction was mixed. Mr.
Gleason said that the measure most strongly affects major metropolitan areas.
Due to the difference in effect, there has been a variety of responses to the
passage of the measure.
Mr. Gleason said that he did not want to recommend revenue additions or cuts
to programs outside the capital program if those options preclude the council
from having a discussion about services with the community. The effects of
the measure must be gauged and the strategic planning process in place before
such action could be taken. Mr. Boles suggested that, alternately, the
council carry forward its current service base and examine a time-limited
revenue source to support that base.
Referring to the list of one-time resources, Mr. Nicholson asked about the
effect of using the unappropriated ending fund balance. Mr. Wong said the
purpose of those funds was to cover City expenses until property tax revenues
are received in November and December. If the City does not have those
resources available, it must go to the lending market and borrow. Mr.
Gleason said that the use of those funds would be the last item on that list
he would recommend.
Mr. Robinette asked about the possibility of approving the staff
recommendation while pursuing Mr. Boles' suggestion and legislative remedies.
Mr. Gleason said that could be done. He said he would like to have a clear
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 6
e idea of council consensus, because if it chooses another direction, the work
program will change dramatically. Mr. Gleason pointed out that he had set up
internal committees to handle controls to administrative decisions not yet in
place. If the council choses another direction, the focus of any discussion
will be at the Budget Committee review level. Mr. Green said that approving
the concept seemed to preclude further discussion regarding the items on the
capital projects list. He asked about the commitment the council would be
making in accepting the staff recommendation. Mr. Gleason said it would be a
policy commitment establishing the basic direction in which the organization
is going. He said if the council does not rnove forward quickly, the support
it will need for the strategic planning process will dissipate.
Mr. Wong reviewed a list of projects subject to reduction. The list included
the downtown redesign, new library building, alternative transportation
modes, housing planning and programming, wetlands mitigation, FY91/FY92
General Fund capital budget, public access ("electronic City Hall"), and fire
redeployment. Responding to a question from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Wong said the
items on the list were projects the council would be completing over the next
six months to one year. In many cases, preliminary work has been done on
these projects. Staff believes that if the council will be undertaking the
strategic plan, it must modify its work plan. Mr. Gleason said he was not
proposing eliminating these items completely and some of the components of
each would continue. He said he was asking the City Council to make Ballot
Measure 5 and the strategic plan its primary work program item.
C. Strategic Planning Process
e Ms. Bellamy reviewed a memorandum from Mr. Gleason outlining the proposed
work plan program and time line developed by staff for the strategic planning
process. Ms. Bellamy reviewed the direction requested from the council: 1)
define outcome; 2) begin planning process; 3) inform the public.
Ms. Bellamy estimated that the planning stage of the process would take three
months. A consultant would be hired and stakeholder groups identified. She
noted that the memorandum described the framework for the prograrn:
Phase 1: Where are we? Where are we going? (90+ days)
Phase 2: Where do we want to go? (60-90 days)
Phase 3: How do we get there? (90 days)
Phase 4: What are the next steps? (90 days)
Mr. Rutan asked why staff used the phrase "Ballot Measure 5 Response." Mr.
Gleason said he had made the decision to recommend that the council combine
its efforts regarding Ballot Measure 5 and the strategic planning program as
he could not envision the organization being able to accommodate two parallel
public input processes. Mr. Rutan said that Ballot Measure 5 had merely
moved up in importance the strategic planning process and was another factor
to consider in that process. He was concerned that if the council couched
e November 19, 1990
MINUTES--Eugene City Council Page 7
e its approach in terms of a response to Ballot Measure 5, the financial
planning process would have negative overtones. Mr. Boles agreed with Mr.
Rutan. He said the only option before the council, to hold the line for the
strategic planning process to go forward, assumed the community would come to
a consensus regarding resolution of financial difficulties by employing
measures similar to those used in the past. He was unsure that the community
shared those values and was uncomfortable with assuming it did as a precursor
to the planning process. Mr. Boles expressed the hope that the council could
consider smoothing the path of the planning process when it further discusses
a mix of options. Ms. Bascom observed that incorporating strategies to
respond to Ballot Measure 5 in the strategic planning process was a
recognition of reality. She did not detect any negativity in acknowledging
that reality.
The meeting recessed at 7 p.m. and reconvened at 7:15 p.m.
The council discussed the staff recommendation to address the strategic
planning process period.
Mr. Rutan suggested that, given the magnitude of the problem, the council
take a different approach than that proposed. He suggested that, for each
key area identified by the council, such as new revenues, small teams
analysing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats ("SWOT"),
composed of councilors and/or Budget Committee lay members, be formed. Each
team would act as a liaison working with key management staff to help process
the issues identified and move the planning along. A SWOT team could serve
e as the policy-making group working with staff on Ballot Measure 5 issues
legislatively. Mr. Rutan said SWOT teams would have no authority to make
decisions. He believed that if the organization attempted to go through the
process with the full councilor Budget Committee, it would be cumbersome and
time-consuming.
Ms. Ehrman asked how long Mr. Rutan believed his proposed process would take.
Mr. Rutan anticipated that the Ballot Measure 5 SWOT team and SWOT team for
the FY91-92 budget review would take no longer than three months to process
identified issues. The strategic planning SWOT group would take longer.
After the planning was done, the public input process could take place.
Mr. Robinette said he liked Mr. Rutan's suggestion, but he was unsure of the
proposal as a first step. However, he proposed that the council accept the
staff recommendation to avoid going "deeper into a hole."
Ms. Schue said it was her perception that important policy decisions need to
be rnade by the entire group in order to avoid processing issues over and
over. Mr. Rutan agreed, and said that was not the intention of his proposal.
Mr. Boles said he was not comfortable with Mr. Rutan's small-group approach.
He said Ballot Measure 5 resulted in additional lost revenues. The council
had already intended to address service levels and funding mechanisms in the
proposed strategic planning level. He expressed the hope that the council
would not attempt to have a public discussion about service levels and
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 8
e revenue sources following cuts in the capital budget. Mr. Boles said that
the City had been balancing its operating budget by taking from the capital
budget for too long. He pointed out that 73 percent of the citizens are
satisfied with the level of services received from the City. He did not
believe the council had a mandate from the community telling it to cut
services, yet that was the recommendation before the council. Mr. Boles
suggested that, alternatively, the council accept the recommendation of the
staff, excluding the capital budget. While the council goes through the
strategic planning process, it could establish a time-limited revenue source
to fund the capital budget. Mr. Boles suggested that the revenue source
could be a utility tax, a percentage of the State income tax, or a mixture of
sources.
Mr. Miller summarized the three proposals before the council: 1) the staff
recommendation; 2) Mr. Boles' suggestion for a time-limited revenue source
for the capital budget; and 3) Mr. Rutan's suggestion for a small-group team
approach to key issues identified by the council.
Ms. Bascom asked Mr. Boles if he wished to wrap a discussion of new revenues
into the strategic plan process. Mr. Boles said yes. He said he wished to
discuss service and capital cuts as well, and he did not see how that could
be done if the decision to cut capital was the approach already selected.
Ms. Bascom reminded Mr. Rutan that the council had tried processing issues in
a small-group setting. She pointed to the Council Committee on Economic
Diversification as an example where a council committee had worked hard on a
e specific proposal yet had been unable to convince the rest of the council of
the proposal's merits. Ms. Bascom said that while Mr. Rutan's proposal might
seem more efficient, she questioned whether the issues could be processed
through small groups.
Ms. Schue wondered if the energy that should be directed toward the strategic
plan might not be diverted by a fight over a new tax. Mr. Boles believed
that a more important issue was the loss of the capital budget.
Mr. Robinette pointed out that Eugene voters had not supported Ballot Measure
5 and might be amenable to funding capital construction outside the cap. He
said that acceptance of the staff recommendation did not mean that the
capital projects on the list would never occur. Rather, the council would go
to the citizens and ask them if they will support the capital budget.
Ms. Ehrman supported the staff recommendation as an immediate response to the
situation facing City government.
Mr. Rutan urged the council not to take the list of eliminated capital
projects literally. He said the council's goal was to balance FY92 assuming
the maximum impact of Ballot Measure 5. He did not see the list as being
final or the only option available to the council. Mr. Rutan reminded the
council that there were many unknowns. Mr. Boles expressed the hope that the
council would be able to see a list of projects that included detail on cost
and timing.
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 9
e Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, Mr. Gleason said about 60 percent of
the property tax relief would be realized by business. About one-quarter to
one-half of property tax relief would go to out-of-state businesses.
Mr. Boles supported postponing action on the staff recommendation until an
alternative recommendation including a "tax-neutral" option.
Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to accept the staff
recommendation labeled "Option--Combined" as a system to
balance the budget while the strategic planning process goes
on.
Mr. Boles offered an amendment to the motion.
Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to amend the motion to
indicate that the council delay action until November 28,
1990, on the staff recommendation labeled "Option A" until an
alternative scenario that includes appropriate revenue to
address items B ("Cut FY91 Capital Projects) and C (Cut FY92
Capital Budget), that revenue to be tax-neutral with respect
to the citizens of Eugene.
Ms. Schue said she had no objection to examining tax proposals but she wished
to make a decision on the staff recommendation immediately.
e Mr. Nicholson questioned how an alternative revenue method would be
developed. Mr. Boles said staff would develop the alternative for the
council review.
Ms. Bascom said as the situation becomes more clear, the council will discuss
the capital budget again. She believed that the council needed to address
the worst case scenario.
Mr. Miller said he was sympathetic to Mr. Boles' concerns but felt that the
public would perceive his proposal as the City asking for more and more
money.
Mr. Nicholson asked how passage of the main motion would affect the strategic
planning process. Mr. Gleason anticipated that, were the motion passed, the
Budget Committee would examine a budget in April that would reflect staff's
best estimate of revenues. If, in April, staff has confidence that the State
would not withdraw shared revenues, that would be reflected in the budget.
In terms of the strategic planning process, Mr. Gleason anticipated that the
dialogue between the community and Budget Committee will have begun in April.
Responding to a further question from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Gleason said that
the planning process does not preclude further discussion of new revenue
sources. He said that as the committee begins the dialogue with the
community, it would be hard-pressed to reach an independent decision.
However, if the council makes a decision now regarding new revenue sources,
Mr. Gleason feared that decision would dominate the debate.
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 10
e Mr. Green asked Mr. Gleason at what point the committee would discuss new
revenues with the community. Mr. Gleason said that discussion would be part
of the strategic plan, which would begin the latter part of February.
Ms. Schue said it was her belief that when the community begins to understand
what the budget figures mean, people will begin to say that there must be
more money. However, she believed it would be more effective if that
realization came from the community rather than from the council.
Mr. Nicholson asked staff to identify the earliest point at which a
discussion of revenues could affect the capital budget. Mr. Gleason said
that the debate must occur first; then the committee will test the debate
with the community to gauge consensus. He estimated that could take place in
June or July. Following that consensus, the community would develop a
strategy. Implementation of the strategy would take some time. In the
meantime, the State Legislature will be grappling with the issue. Mr.
Gleason felt it was reasonable to assume that the council would be revisiting
the list of capital projects between September and November 1991.
The council voted on the amendment to the motion. The
amendment failed, 5:3; councilors Boles, Nicholson, and Green
voting aye.
The council voted on the main motion. It passed, 7: 1;
Councilor Boles voting no.
e The council discussed the staff recornmendation for the strategic planning
process. Mr. Gleason said that as policy reference, he hoped to call for
assistance from the executive group of the council: president, vice
president, and mayor. Responding to a request for clarification from Mr.
Green, Mr. Gleason said any decisions would be made by the full council. He
wished to work with the smaller group in the early stages of the process for
pol icy input. Mr. Miller said that before January, the involved parties
would be Mr. Rutan, Ms. Schue, and himself; if council tradition continues,
after January 1 the parties will be Mr. Rutan, Mr. Boles, and himself. The
council agreed to Mr. Gleason's proposal.
Ms. Bellamy reviewed an overhead entitled, "Council Direction Requested."
Mr. Rutan modified the overhead by suggesting that the phrase "role of City
as community service provider" instead read, "role of City as public service
provider."
Ms. Ehrman said she was concerned about the public input process. She said
the council needed to hear from new people rather than from the people it
generally hears from. She questioned how that could be done. Ms. Ehrman
said she would like to see innovative ways developed to reach out to the
community. Ms. Bellamy agreed. She said it was important to the success of
the process that all interests are represented. Mr. Gleason said that was a
reason staff was reluctant to bring the council a detailed design. A large
e
MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 11
e part of the up-front work in the process was to ensure bringing in those
people who generally do not participate in resolution of public issues.
Mr. Boles supported a contract with a consultant that was contingent upon the
success of the public input process and the quality of the product.
Ms. Schue moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to accept the staff
recommendation for the strategic planning process. The motion
passed, 8:0.
Mr. Gleason discussed the topic of performance audits. He said the council
had initiated a program of performance audits and had assigned Mr. Boles and
Mr. Rutan to work with staff. He recommended that Mr. Boles and Mr. Rutan
focus on the compensation document and administrative overhead. Mr. Rutan
asked if an independent auditor would be involved. Mr. Gleason said yes.
The council agreed to Mr. Gleason's proposal.
Ms. Bellamy reviewed an overhead outlining the public involvement process.
The council approved the public involvement process proposed by staff.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
e ?:7~~~ ~lD.l
Micheal Gleason
City Manager
(Recorded by Kimberly Young)
MNCC 111990
e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 19, 1990 Page 12