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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/1991 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council Work Session McNutt Room--City Hall August 7, 1991 11 :30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Roger Rutan (after 12:16 p.m.), Shawn Boles, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Bobby Green, Randy MacDonald, Paul Nicholson, Kaye Robinette. The adjourned meeting of August 5, 1991, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. I. ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Bicycle Accommodations in Road Projects Ms. Bascom asked the council to support alternate modes of transportation by expressing an interest in the accommodation of bicycles in the planning and design of the West Eugene Parkway. She added that the Beltline project also presents an opportunity to prOVide a bicycle connection to the coast route. e Mr. Green concurred, adding that improvements to Terry Street present another opportunity for the City and County to work together to encourage the use of alternate transportation modes. Mr. Boles expressed his strong support for articulating the council's policy. Councilors agreed that a letter should be drafted urging that integration with the City's bicycle system should be part of any road project. II. DISCUSSION TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE EMPLOYMENT-RELATED PERFORMANCE OF CITY MANAGER A. Mr. Gleason's Introductory Comments Mr. Gleason reviewed some of his accomplishments over the past year. He told the council that attention to employee involvement and productivity is enhanc- ing the efficiency of the organization even in light of reduced resources. He saw progress being made in coordinating work program items and the goals of the organization. Mr. Gleason described the Eugene Decisions process as a major effort to change the way resource decisions are made within the organ- ization and to establish an ongoing dialogue between the organization and the community. He thought that the council was receiVing reports that are more succinct and timely and that presentations are less repetitive than in the past. He indicated that more progress could be made in providing the council e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 7, 1991 Page 1 e with options. Mr. Gleason considered intergovernmental relations to have improved. B. Review of Evaluation Form Councilors reviewed a summary of their individual ratings and responses to eight questions about Mr. Gleason's performance. Councilors Nicholson's and Green's individual evaluations were not included in the written summary. 1. Assists council in achieving its annual goals Voicing some concerns about the ambiguity of some of the council's goals and the definition of their achievement, councilors expressed general satisfaction with Mr. Gleason's performance in this area. 2. Works effectively with City Council (includes keeping City Council informed, assisting the council in its decision-making processes, and responding to council requests) Councilors commended Mr. Gleason for his support and orientation of new coun- cilors. Mr. Gleason was cautioned about filtering issues according to his personal political agenda and advised to present a full range of options for council consideration. How the Manager should pursue councilors' individual issues was identified as an item for discussion at a process session. Mr. Gleason was encouraged to make written notes about councilor questions and e requests. 3. Carries out council policies Mr. Gleason received high ratings for carrying out the council's policies. 4. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with other agencies (includes working with other agencies to accomplish City goals) Mr. Boles stressed the importance of developing ongoing, working partnerships with the other agencies that participate in the annual lobbying trip to Wash- ington, DC. Councilors noted that while the City's relationship with Lane County and EWEB has improved, communication with the University of Oregon and Lane Transit District was of some concern. However, Mr. Gleason's relation- ship with the executives of other agencies was of less concern than the coun- cil's relationship to the policy boards of the other agencies. Ms. Bascom observed that it would be helpful for the council to receive the minutes of the Metropolitan Policy Committee. Mr. Rutan arrived at the meeting at 12:16 p.m. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 7, 1991 Page 2 e 5. Provides direction for the operation of City departments (in- cludes providing leadership, communicating council direction, and staying in touch with major projects/issues) Mr. Gleason received very high marks from the council on his management and leadership in this area. The City staff's expertise, enthusiasm, and cohe- siveness were cited as a reflection of Mr. Gleason's high standards. Mr. Nicholson hoped that Mr. Gleason would act more quickly to eliminate ineffective programs and repair flawed areas in the organization. However, Mr. Boles appreciated his making corrections at natural change points. 6. Provides effective and strategic City administration (includes planning, budgeting, and internal systems) Councilors discussed the need for innovation in proposing solutions, and generally agreed that while innovative approaches are desirable, the council and the community are not always willing to bear the costs associated with experimentation. Mr. MacDonald referred to the City's continuing high bond rating as indication of its effective financial mechanisms. 7. Is aware of emerging community trends/problems/issues and integrates the same into staff recommendations This area produced the lowest overall ratings of Mr. Gleason's performance. e Councilors urged Mr. Gleason to seek and present a broader range of community views and asked about his personal community activities. Mr. Gleason told the council that in assessing the community's point of view, his opinions must be put aside when he offers his professional advice. C. General Comments Councilors reviewed their lists of what Mr. Gleason should be doing more or less of. Comments touched on his becoming more innovative, on "locking horns" with members of the community, and on his proclivity for long explanations. Mr. Gleason expressed his appreciation for the council's frank discussion and observed that public service compensates the individual by encouraging person- al growth. Councilors briefly discussed the format and logistics for the annual evalua- tion. Mr. Gleason was asked to bring his notes from this evaluation to next year's session to help review his progress and accomplishments. The council agreed that City staff, particularly department heads, may have valuable feedback that would aid in the evaluation process, but felt that the public has ample opportunity for evaluating the council's policies and their imple- mentation through the ballot and the public forum. After some discussion, there appeared to be consensus to continue holding the evaluations in public session. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 7, 1991 Page 3 e The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m. R~~ ~~ , Mich al Gleason, City Manager (Recorded by Mary Feldman) mncc 080791 e e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 7, 1991 Page 4