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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/1992 Meeting (2) . e e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--Eugene City Hall January 22, 1992 11:30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Shawn Boles, Bobby Green, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Randy MacDonald, Paul Nicholson, Kaye Robinette, Roger Rutan. The adjourned meeting of January 15, 1992, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. I. ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. State School Board Week Mr. Robinette noted that Governor Roberts has proclaimed this week as State School Board Week and he suggested the council recognize in writing both the local school boards, Bethel and 4J. Mr. Boles said that council officers have implemented the practice of having the councilor who originates interest in such a matter to compose the correspondence and circulate it among councilors for their signatures. B. Low-Income Alternative Housing Mr. MacDonald distributed a letter to The Register Guard editor from a housing cooperative called Du-ma, asking staff to provide information to the group about council's efforts in this area. C. League of Oregon Cities Board Meeting Mr. MacDonald said he attended the League of Oregon Cities Board meeting in Pendleton and was struck by that city's sense of history, developed as a key element of civic spirit. He noted this was a model for Eugene to consider. D. Central Area Transportation Study Citizen Advisory Committee Mr. Boles said the Central Area Transportation Study Citizen Advisory Commit- tee (CATS-CAC) is concerned with the legality of bikes on the downtown mall. The group is also concerned that the City has never officially adopted its bike lanes as such. The issue was deferred to the Bicycle Committee, with the charge of exploring it and responding to the council. MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22, 1992 Page 1 e E. The Bon Mr. Boles noted the irony of the manager of The Bon complaining because Place Two left the Valley River Center site, and that it will take traffic away from his store. F. Dianne Cook Mr. Boles noted the recent death of Dianne Cook, an active neighborhood leader who was very involved in the Walnut Grove housing project. He asked that council suggest to the neighborhood organization that it might be fitting to name one of the features at Walnut Grove in her memory. The council agreed, and staff was asked to pursue the matter with the neighborhood organization. G. McKenzie River Spillage Ms. Ehrman said she noticed the City's Department of Public Safety's Haz Mat Team on the scene of the recent McKenzie River spillage and she wondered if it would receive reimbursement for providing the service. Mr. Gleason said that Eugene is the State-designated regional Hazardous Materials Team, and it is obliged to respond to such incidents. There is reimbursement from the State. H. Solid Waste Task Team e Mr. Nicholson said the team at its last meeting agreed to accommodate the new 21-gallon service with no changes in rates during this cycle. Responding to a request from Mr. Boles, Mr. Nicholson said he will continue to facilitate the timely production of a work plan. I. Campaign for Mayor Ms. Bascom reported the release of her second issue-oriented mayoral campaign statement at the central fountain in the downtown mall prior to this meeting. J. Wayne Morse Ranch Ms. Bascom said she visited the Wayne Morse dogs-off-leash field and several constituents proposed volunteering for several tasks at the park in exchange for maintaining the field. She encouraged them to submit proposals. K. Rob McIntosh Correspondence Mayor Miller called attention to a letter from Rob McIntosh regarding Eugene Decisions. Mr. MacDonald reminded council that it was he who raised the question of non-compiled information. He expressed concern at the public perception that e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22, 1992 Page 2 e e e this process is completed; in fact, council is at the early stages of the process. Mr. Boles asked that the Council Committee on Eugene Decisions frame a response to the letter. Ms. Ehrman said council should specifically address the issue of in-house versus contracted-out services. Mr. Nicholson reiterated his previous comments about the need to offer a concrete proposal on how to initiate a public process to discover ways to do things differently. Mr. Boles noted that the criticism of the process was premature as it has not been completed. II. WORK SESSION: UPDATE ON THE CITY'S DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, AND DIVERSITY EFFORTS Linda Norris, Acting Assistant City Manager, acknowledged members in the audience from the Hispanic Business Association, Eugene Human Rights Commission, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Chicano Affairs Center who have been very helpful to the City in identifying the issues surrounding the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE). Ms. Norris called attention to the packet material, including a draft resolution and Affirmative Action Plan for the DBE Program. She reviewed the material and said that, in Oregon, the State certifies disadvantaged businesses and the City selects from that list. Ms. Norris noted that the DBE is a set-aside program for Federally-funded projects. The Federal Government has stated that DBE goals are required without regard to previous findings of discrimination. She said this is not to be confused with other set-aside programs for projects with non-Federal funds. Ms. Norris said that in 1989, the Supreme Court, in a City of Richmond case, found that set-aside programs for non-Federally funded projects are not legal without first establishing a history of discrimination. She said the program before council is for Federally funded programs. Responding to a question from Mr. Nicholson, Ms. Norris said that the City is concerned with making sure that disadvantaged businesses can compete on an equal basis on all other procurement issues. She said the City cannot do a set-aside program, but it hopes to apply the goals and processes of the Federal program and create an environment where all businesses can compete equally. Mr. MacDonald noted that the Supreme Court decision IIprohibits set-aside programs for non-Federally funded projects, unless you first establish a history of discrimination." He concluded that if a history of discrimination MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22, 1992 Page 3 . were established, there would be a basis for implementing a non-Federal pro gram. Ms. Norris agreed that that was possible. However, it entails a two-year process, including taking public testimony and analyzing practices. She favored using the time more constructively by actually beginning the program now before council. Ms. Norris continued her presentation, saying that the issues that need to be addressed in the proposed update are as follows: 1) the program is not widely known in the community; 2) there are minority- and female-owned businesses not on the State's certified list; 3) the City has not been able to identify minority businesses that do the type of work it bids; 4) the City's internal processes for monitoring performance on DBEs is not as comprehensive as it should be; and 5) there is no City staff dedicated to coordinating the program on a Citywide basis. Responding to a question from Mr. Green, Terry Smith, Public Works Deputy Director, said that the State's certified list identifies the service area for each business on its list. It is important for businesses to get certified because the State uses the list to set a goal for work awarded in each area. e Ms. Norris said the plan calls for the Human Rights Commission to playa role in the public hearing process. She said there is an internal staff team working on the issue and the next step is designing process and procedures for implementing the plan, within three months. Mr. Boles asked that the report on DBE participation requested by Mr. Green be distributed to the entire council. Ms. Norris reviewed the City's Affirmative Action Program, saying the City's goal is to have an employment base that reflects the diversity found in the community. The City also wants its work force prepared to accept and respond to issues created by changing demographics in the community and the organization. She said the City feels ready to enter into a joint agreement with the community about how to reach its diversity goals. Mr. Green asked that the word "found" be struck from the document, saying ethnic minorities are in the community, they do not need to be found. Mr. Boles cautioned against building parallel service systems for specific groups based on language. Mr. MacDonald said another goal is to support community agencies to build their own access systems. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22, 1992 Page 4 e Mr. MacDonald questioned the method used by the Federal Government to arrive at employment statistics. He noted it did not truly reflect the number of unemployed and ignored the people who have not even had an opportunity to become lIunemployed)" as defined by the Federal Government. Mayor Miller encouraged council not to get attached to numbers and percentages. Mr. Gleason said that coming to agreement with the community on defining success is more important. He said the percentages were helpful in identifying exclusion patterns. Mr. Gleason stated that the Federal gUideline had to be used because of Federal legal implications. He said the City could also be challenged for demonstrating the exclusion of the majority as well. That is why the organization has to be able to demonstrate what it is doing. Ms. Norris said percentages are used as a basis for comparison) but more important is the City)s ability to provide services to the community. She said the City now feels that its work force is representative of the community) and now it is making sure that there is a broad perspective in delivering programs and services. She said departments are developing their own affirmative action plans and forecasting needs for next year in order to have systems in place to meet that need. The City is also conducting facilitative sessions in the community with interested parties inside and outside the organization. e Responding to Mr. Boles) Greg Rikhoff) ASD-IGR Division, reviewed the Human Rights Commission's role and discussed the content of his memorandum to the council regarding the City's diversity efforts. He noted that much of the staff)s work is not measurable. It has to do with attitude and the extent to which employees are aware of, and sensitive to) issues. III. BALLOTING TO DETERMINE INTERVIEWEES FOR THE OPENING OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE Mr. Boles moved) seconded by Mr. Robinette, to interview Janet Anderson, Howard Bonnett, and Karen Schwarterock, for the opening on the Budget Committee. At council's request) Mr. Boles gave the weighted ballot results as follows: Anderson 22 Bonnett 15 Schwarterock 11 Schultz 9 Radabaugh 9 Boettcher 6 - MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22) 1992 Page 5 e It became apparent that some councilors were not aware they were doing a rank balloting. Darcy Marentette, City Manager's Office, indicated that a recount did not change the ranking. Mr. Boles withdrew his motion. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Mr. Robinette, that the top- ranked candidate, Janet Anderson, be appointed to the Budget Committee. The motion passed; 5:4, Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Green, Mr. Nicholson, and Mr. Robinette opposed. Mr. Boles suggested that the other two candidates be considered for inter- views should there be another opening on the Budget Committee in the next quarter. There was agreement from the council. Ms. Ehrman expressed concern for the openness of the public process, saying this type of appointment process may impede people who want to apply. IV. WORK SESSION: EUGENE DECISIONS STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT e Mayor Miller said that the Council Officers Committee decided on a facilitated process for the development of Eugene Decisions strategies. Mr. Boles reminded the council of its goal and cautioned councilors not to rush the process and to IIstay lightll about it within the first two sessions. He directed staff to monitor and keep the council on task. Councilors were asked to bring their resource material. Tony Mounts, ASD Finance Division, explained the process that will be used beginning with this evening's session to develop one to three Eugene Decisions strategies to be presented to the community next spring. He noted the process was in the spirit of brainstorming the range of possible strategies for each service component that might be incorporated into a larger strategy package. Mr. Mounts said councilors will have an opportunity to offer suggestions for each service or program by framing that suggestion in three questions: What (maintain, reduce, or enhance the service), Why, and How? Mr. Robinette said the committee suggested that Public Building and Facilities be set aside initially because they are impacted by what the council decides to do in the other service areas. Responding to Mr. Green's concerns about administrative costs and "right- sizing,1I Mr. Gleason said administrative overhead is contained within each service or program. He said an independent study had set it at five percent. Mr. Gleason explained that right-sizing is the issue that council is now addressing by reviewing the size of the current service system. Building Permits/Plan Checks was used to demonstrate the process. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22, 1992 Page 6 ~ Mr. Robinette offered the following scenarios as examples: What? Why? How? What? Why? How? Maintain service level Service is essential and significant to economic development Increase fees to offset General Fund (GF) costs Reduce service level The service level is less important than the cost 1) Increase fees slightly and operate at lower level; 2) Eliminate the service by turning it over to the County or State. Development Services What? Why? How? Maintain level of service (offered by Mr. Boles) Senate Bill 100 With regard to plan updates, have staff support citizens in their role rather than conduct/lead them. Metropolitan Partnership What? Why? How? e Maintain level of service (offered by Mayor Miller) To create and sustain jobs in the community 1) Tie use to a targeted metro-area revenue string; 2) Consolidate BATe am and Metro Partnership; 3) 100 percent fee-supported; 4) No City support in either the Metro Partner ship or BATeam, but support consolidation with the Chamber of Commerce and the Eugene/Springfield Business Bureau. (Offered by Mr. Boles.) Mr. Boles said that council would decide how the process is working at the end of this evening's meeting and would also evaluate how much time it needs to complete the process. Mr. Gleason said that the biggest problem with a service level change is that it has to be driven by a policy change. Mr. Boles reminded councilors that they need to deal with the issue of sustainability. Mr. Boles said that the council Committee on Eugene Decisions would meet after today's meeting to review material it had requested. He invited other councilors to remain for that discussion. Mr. Nicholson announced that he may not be available this evening. The council meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, e MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session Page 7 January 22, 1992 e e e 7~-. Micheal Gleason City Manager (Recorded by Yolanda Paule) MNCC 012292 MINUTES--Eugene City Council Lunch Work Session January 22, 1992 Page 8