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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/1992 Meeting e M I NUT E S Eugene City Council McNutt Room--City Hall May 13, 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 May II, 1992, of the Eugene City Council was called to order by His Honor Mayor Jeff Miller. Mr. Miller introduced Susan Forester, recipient of the Mayor for A Day award. I. $800,000 EFFICIENCIES TARGET AND PUBLIC WORKS/PARCS MAINTENANCE MERGER e City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the item and gave background information on staff's efforts to achieve $800,000 in organizational efficiencies. He noted that some proposals may be forwarded to the Eugene Decisions Committee to ensure that they have minimal impact on the public, as directed by the council. He added that he recognized that the $800,000 target set by the council is a minimum; if efficiencies beyond the target can be identified, they will be implemented. Mr. Gleason commented that the process of identifying and implementing effi- ciencies may be a good model for the implementation stage of the Eugene Deci- sions process. Mr. Gleason said that approximately $600,000 in organizational efficiencies have been identified to date; the remaining $200,000 should be identified within the next 60 to 90 days. Mr. Wong reviewed the internal policies used to identify and evaluate cost-saving measures. He noted that in many situa- tions, front-end investments may be required to realize ongoing operational savings. He also explained that savings may be realized over a period of two to three years following implementation of changes. Mr. MacDonald noted that the public should recognize that one-time expendi- tures may be necessary to achieve long-term savings. He also suggested con- sidering developing a system that rewards employees monetarily for identify- ing ways to save money, similar to a system used by state government. Mr. Robinette expressed the opinion that employees should be encouraged through a Total Quality Management (TQM) program to suggest ways to save money without monetary reward. Mr. Gleason shared Mr. Robinette's reservations about mone- ~ e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 13, 1992 Page 1 tary compensation for efficiency suggestions, but said staff would look into ~ the possibility. Bob Hammitt, Director of Public Works Maintenance Division, reviewed the details of the PARCS/PW merger. He said the merger would result in savings due to economies of scale, elimination of duplicated services, and central- ization of purchasing. He added that the PARCS/PW merger will require remod- eling work at both the Roosevelt and Cheshire facilities. Mr. Hammitt said that the City would also realize savings from streamlining the mowing programs operated by the two divisions. In addition, the City is developing cooperative mowing agreements with the school district for mowing of City-owned parcels located adjacent to school property. In response to a question from Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Hammitt confirmed that all agreements re- garding IIno mowll or IIreduced mow" zones would remain in effect. Mr. Hammitt added that staff is considering redUCing mowing of undeveloped City-owned property to the legal minimum required by code for private properties. Mr. Hammitt explained that the PARCS/PW merger had resulted in elimination of 3.5 General Fund positions; I position was transferred out of the General Fund. Ms. Ehrman inquired about the criteria for transferring positions from the General Fund to non-General Fund accounts. Mr. Hammit explained that the main criteria is whether the service provided is eligible. The second crite- ria is to determine that the fund has the capacity to handle the additional expense. Mr. Gleason added that legal restrictions on user-fee services and services funded by taxes also apply. In response to a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Gleason stated that the Public Works facility located on Roosevelt Boulevard is more centrally located than the Lincoln Street facility and meets the needs of the merged division bet- ter. Mr. Hammitt added that the Cheshire facility will remain in operation as the headquarters of the Facilities Section of the division. e Mr. Green left the meeting at 12:15 p.m. Mr. Wong said that staff's recommendation for financing these improvements included selling the lincoln Street site and issuing an interfund loan from the Fleet Fund to the General Capital Projects Fund. He said that several inquiries have already been received regarding purchase of the site; if the REI project at the former Eugene Planing Mill site goes through, interest in the site should increase. Ms. Bascom commented that this would be a good location for a housing project. Mr. Boles suggested prorating some of the cost of remodeling at the Roosevelt and Cheshire sites to non-General Funds, based on the assumption that it is appropriate for non-General Fund facilities to bear their fair share of the cost of capital improvements to maintenance facilities. Mr. Gleason noted that the financing methods recommended by staff are essen- tially cash-neutral, provided that the Lincoln Street site is sold. In addi- e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 13, 1992 Page 2 tion, sale of the lincoln Street site eliminates the need for improvements to ~ that building. e e Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to approve staff's recommendation regarding the concept and financial strategy of the $800,000 efficiencies target and the Public Works/PAReS Maintenance merger. The council discussed the sale of the lincoln Street facility. Mr. Boles expressed interest in placing some constraints on the sale to ensure that a portion of the property is used for a low/moderate-income housing project, or a portion of the proceeds from the sale are used to leverage that kind of development elsewhere in the city. Mr. Rutan said this could be provided for in an RFP, but said he did not want to delay on the sale. Ms. Ehrman pointed out that additional low/moderate-income housing in this geographic area may not comply with the City's dispersal policy. Ms. Bascom suggested that the Housing Policy Board consider it as a site. Mr. Nicholson urged the council to go ahead and accept offers to see what the alternatives are. Mr. Gleason added that housing bonds would be available, although the site would not qualify for tax-exempt status because it is not within the Urban Renewal District. Mr. Rutan argued that contingencies could be placed on the sale after offers had been received. Mr. Boles expressed concern that public benefit accrue from sale of a public asset. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to direct staff to develop criteria to evaluate the terms of sale of the lincoln Street facility. In response to a question from Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Gleason said that while the property is currently zoned Public lands, it is located in an area designated Multi-Family Housing in the General Plan. This designation allows for either commercial or mult-family housing development. Mr. Nicholson said he wanted to make sure that offers received were based on possible use. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Mr. Rutan requested that staff make available the personnel studies completed by the City in the last two or three years. He urged other council members to to review these studies as background for evaluating proposals to achieve organizational efficiencies that might include personnel reductions. II. PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PSAC) ANNUAL REPORT Ms. Gund, PSAC member, presented the annual report for the Public Safety Action Committee. She stressed the importance of maintaining an active pro- gram to encourage individual responsibility and to educate the public on public safety ~ssues. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 13, 1992 Page 3 e e e Mr. Boles inquired of Mr. DeForrest, Department of Public Safety, as to the status of minority/protected class recruitment into public safety positions, as well as th~'status of the cadet program designed to outreach to protected class youth. Mr. DeForrest reported that the Public Safety Department is continuing to recruit protected class individuals for public safety careers. The cadet program is conceptually developed. Implementation will depend on funding. In response to a question from Mr. MacDonald, Ms. Gund reported that the Whiteaker Public Safety Station is working with the neighborhood group to develop communication and education programs in the area. Mr. DeForrest added that the Whiteaker station has been very successful. Mr. Boles urged that the Whiteaker station be used as a model for the rest of the community. He stressed the importance of adequate funding for prevention activities. III. IGR COMMITTEE MINUTES/DEBRIEF OF WASHINGTON, DC, lOBBYING TRIP Ms. lynch reviewed the minutes of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee (IGR) and reported briefly on the work of the committee. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to approve the min- utes of the April 6, 1992, meeting of the City Council Inter- governmental Relations Committee. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. Several councilors praised Ms. lynch's efforts. IV. ITEMS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER Hatfield Mr. Rutan reported that Senator Hatfield sends his regards to the members of the City Council through his daughter who recently returned from an intern- ship assignment in Washington, DC. Patterson Street Speed limit Ms. Bascom reported that she had been contacted by citizens regarding the request from the City to increase the speed limit on Patterson Street from 25 to 30 miles per hour. The neighborhood is concerned about safety in front of the YMCA and the University of Oregon married housing complex. Mr. Nicholson said he had been contacted also. Ms. Ehrman pointed out that the City-initi- ated request should have come to the council before being forwarded to the State Control Board. Mr. Boles pointed out that part of the problem is that Transportation Planning is separate and distinct from other planning func- MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 13, 1992 Page 4 e tions. Mr. Nicholson suggested changing the timing of street lights to in- fluence the rate of speed. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to direct staff to relay to the Traffic Engineer the concerns of the neighborhood regarding the proposed increased speed limit on Patterson Street. This motion was withdrawn by consensus following further discussion. Mr. Gleason said he would communicate the council's concerns to the Traffic Engineer. Human Rights Commission Mr. Boles reported that the Human Rights Commission made a good presentation at the joint meeting with the City Council. Lincoln School Mr. Boles reported that the community is forming a committee to act on the Lincoln School project if the developer is unable to perform before the dead- line of August 14, 1992. He suggested council members contact the developer and encourage him to perform in a timely fashion. Peaceworks e Mr. Nicholson drew the attention of council members to the material from Peaceworks distributed at the meeting. Whiteaker Refinement Plan Mr. Robinette suggested changing the process for developing and amending neighborhood refinement plans. Mr. Boles added that he had met with Chris Ramey from the University of Oregon and understood that Mr. Ramey was going to meet with Mr. Tollenaar and Ms. McMillan of the Planning Commission re- garding this issue. Budget Committee Mr. Robinette expressed his disappointment that he was the sole representa- tive of the City Council at the Budget Committee meeting, aside from Mr. Boles and Ms. Bascom who had to leave early. He strongly urged other members of the council to attend future meetings. Process Meeting Rescheduling Mr. MacDonald said he had a long-standing commitment on June 18 and would not be able to attend the process meeting scheduled for that day. Ms. Bascom said she felt strongly that the meeting should not be held unless all council members were able to attend. Mr. Rutan agreed, and said it was particularly important for members who would be continuing on the council to attend. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 13, 1992 Page 5 ~ Staff agreed to conduct a poll of the members and identify an alternate date. The meeting adjourned to May 18, 1992, at 1:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, -~--;..... ,JI)',.....-:-_..~ ~ _ _ Micheal Gleason, ~~ City Manager · r*'7"- (Recorded by Eleanor Knapp) MNCC 051392-1130 e e "". -: MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 13, 1992 Page 6