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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/24/1979 Meeting ~ e e M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL January 24, 1979 Adjourned meeting from January 22, 1979, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller, January 24, 1979, 11:30 a.m., King's Table Restaurant, Oakway Mall, with the following Councilors present: Eric Haws, Jack Delay, Scott Lieuallen, Betty Smith, Gretchen Miller, and Emily Schue. Councilors D. W. Hamel and Brian Obie were absent. I. Slide Presentation: "What Makes It Eugene" Manager said the slide presentation had been shown to neighborhood groups and was used for new employees' ~rientation. It is available for Councilors' use. II. Items from Mayor and Council A. Metro Wastewater Management Commission--Ms. Smith reported concern regarding the possibility of not quite as much funding available for the new sewage treatment plant, as State and Federal allocations may be decreased. The Commission will be reviewing funding priorities by the State, and will be monitoring the Department of Environmental Quality's meetings during the next weeks. It is hoped the project will continue to be high on the list of priorities. She requested a letter be written on behalf of the Mayor and Council to the Oregon legislative delegation encouraging their support for funding of the project. Staff will prepare a letter for signature and send Council copies. B. Human Rights Review Subcommittee--Mayor Keller appointed Betty Smith and Scott Lieuallen. C. Downtown Development Board--Mayor Keller appointed the following for three year-terms expiring 1/1/82: Allan Pierce, 2515 Terrace View Drive; Dan Childress, 1845-1/2 University; Robert C. Loomis, 1162 Willamette Street; and Richard Meigs, 4441 Fox Hollow Lodges No.1. Recognition--Mayor Keller expressed great appreciation and thanks for the assistance given to Councilor Hamel at last week's meeting by Carol Baker, John Janzen, Joyce Benjamin, and Greg Page. D. E. Human Rights Commission Af~ointments--Manager noted distribution of the nomlnatlons made a er lnterviews by Councilor President Jack Delay and Vice President Betty Smith. 1/24/79 - 1 45 Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve the appoint- ments to the Human Rights commissions. Motion carried unanimously. ~ Those appointed were as follows: Women's Commission: Sarah Lichtenstein, 1650 Kona (reappointment); Therese Englemann, 1910 Fairmount (reappointment); Val Lorwin, 550 East 15th Avenue--three-year terms, ending 1/1/82; and Robin Casey, 1455 East 23rd, 1st Alternate; Liz McHale, 1040 West 26th, 2nd Alternate. Youth Commission: Pam Maillet, 2705 University (reappointment); John Stewart, 1143 Candlelight (reappointment); Larry Abel, 1510 Taft--three-year terms, ending 1/1/82; Rose Pike, 1545 Jefferson-- unexpired term ending 1/1/80; Sally Reidy, 2207 Harris, 1st Alternate; Dorothy Ford, 3846 Peppertree Drive, 2nd Alternate. Minority Commission: Chip Lazenby, 1730 High Street (reappointment); Michael Muniz, 2654 Lincoln; Lee Pettigrew, 2126 Madison--three- year terms ending 1/1/82. Handicapped Commission: Alice Plymell, 1887 Fircrest Drive (reap- pointment); H. Marshall Peter, 942 E. 18th #15; Randy Wardlow, 1790 Cal Young #1711--three-year terms ending 1/1/82; Art Meether, 4040 Willhi Street--unexpired term ending 1/1/81. Aging Commission: Jean Freeman, 965 Lewis Street (reappointment); CEharle2s5 Shtronhg, 495 W.t26th (red~PPo1in/t1m/8e2nt)D; FrlandkFNedarin1g0'c1900h ~ ast t --t ree-year erms en 1 ng ; ona or, oac man Drive, 1st Alternate; Elizabeth Boyington, 1670 Buck, 2nd Alternate; Anita Larsen, 2870 Alder, 3rd Alternate. Manager noted there were still three vacancies on the Handicapped Commission and one vacancy on the Minority Commission. No alternates were available as the applications had been exhausted. Mr. Delay said he felt this was an excellent set of candidates appointed today. He felt since the Council subcommittee was going to review the situation, Council needed to take no further action regarding the vacancies. F. Council Meeting January 31--CANCELLED. Manager said he and the Mayor would be in Salem attending a League of Oregon Cities legislative subcommittee meeting. G. League of Oregon Cities Legislative Delegation Reception--Scheduled for Wednesday, January 31, Salem, 5:30 p.m. Manager said the reception would be followed by a dinner with Lane County's delega- tion. Transportation would be available to Councilors, with departure at 3 p.m. from City Hall. Councilors Obie, Smith, Lieuallen, Delay, and Schue indicated they would be attending. 1/24/79 - 2 e 4-b e H. Budget Committee Meeting--Scheduled January 31 has been rescheduled to February 15, 1979. I. National League of Cities--The Congressional/Legislative meeting in Washington, DC, is scheduled March 3-7. Councilors wishing information should call City Manager's ~ffice. J. County Economic Improvement Commission--The organizational meeting scheduled tonight, 7:30 p.m., Harris Hall. Councilor Haws will attend. K. Substitution for Councilor Hamel's Commitments--Councilor Haws has accepted the responsibility of filling in for Councilor Hamel while he is recuperating from surgery. Mayor Keller expressed appreciation to Councilor Haws. Betty Smith noted she would back up Mr. Haws if needed. L. L-COG Meeting--Scheduled Thursday, January 25, in the Springfield Utility Board offices. e M. Goals and Objectives Workbooks--Distributed to Councilors. Manager said the departmental work programs would be distributed as they were completed. N. Dean Baumgartner Resignation--Manager noted receipt of a letter of resignation effective February 16. He stated Mr. Baumgartner had accomplished what he was hired to do. A replacement from the City staff would be named by the end of the week. Manager said there should be no interruption of the project. o. Legislative Subcommittee--Report from meeting Tuesday, January 23. Manager noted the lack of a chairman for the committee. Mr. Haws moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to appoint Councilor Obie as chairman of the Legislative Subcommittee. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Haws moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, to appoint Ms. Smith as vice-chairman of the Legislative Subcommittee. Motion carried unanimously. Manager said the subcommittee had considered SB 135 which would empower the Environmental Commission to extend the limits for DEQ vehicle maintenance inspection program throughout the Willamette Valley. The limits now extend around the Portland metro area. He noted Council had twice gone on record supporting such a program. Ms. Smith noted the Council decision in the past had reaffirmed the program should be throughout the entire Willamette Valley. It was consensus of Council to reaffirm its prior position to support such a program throughout the entire Willamette Valley. e 1/24/79 - 3 ~1 Manager said the other consideration by the subcommittee was regarding the boundary commissions. The Governor has not included 411' in his budget funds for boundary commissions which now operate in Lane County, Salem, and Portland. The Council has taken a strong position in support of the Lane County Boundary Commission. Under study now is development of a strategy to be taken, both in thel Governor's office and in the legislature, to keep the Boundary Commission functioning. The Boundary Commission is seen as a vital force performing vital'functions, until LCDC approval of comprehensive plans and the update approval has been made for the surrounding areas. The 5ubcommittee unanimously recommended support for maintaining the boundary commissions. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to appoint Ms. Schue as alternate to the subcommittee. Mayor Keller noted that was his appointment, and he would make that recommendation to Council for their approval. Vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. P. Alton Baker Sewage Problem--Written report distributed. Manager reviewed the report which indicated the storm drainage pollution coming mostly from the east, a Q street channel, which is part of the flow through the park contributing to the problem. He reviewed the recommendations: 1. The City continue to support L-COG by staff participation and financial participation, if required, in the project to define and solve urban storm runoff problems. 2. The City formally advise L-COG of the particular concern about pollution from the Q street channel and ask that in future studies, the problem of pollution in this channel be given high priority. 3. The City staff ensure that a monitoring program is established to determine if there are dramatic increases in the pollution levels of the channel in the vicinity of Alton Baker Park. e Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the recom- mendations of staff. Motion carried unanimously. Q. Council Appointments--At the Council's special meeting held Tuesday, January 23, the following appointments were made: Adrienne Lannom, 310 East 14th, to the Planning Commission for a four-year term ending January 1, 1983. Alan Garten, 119 North Adams, to the Community Development Committee for an unexpired term ending January 1, 1981. Deirdre Malarkey, 1131 East 20th, to the Community Development Committee for a three-year term ending January 1, 1982. e ~8 1/24/79 - 4 e III. e ~ Joan Gray, 1252 West 12th, to the Joint Housing Committee, for a three-year term ending January 1, 1982; Stephen Wood, 971 West 10th, to the Joint Housing Committee for an unexpired term ending January 1, 1981. Routine Items for Council Approval A. Council Minutes January 17, 1979. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve Council minutes as noted. Motion carried unanimously. B. Improvement Petitions Res. No. 3072--Authorizing initiating process for street paving, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer construction within Kukui Hill Subdivision; sanitary sewer construction within 160 feet of east and south margins of Kukui Hill Subdivision; and street paving and storm sewer construction in 43rd Avenue adjacent to Kukui Hill Subdivision (1549) was read by number and title. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. Res. No. 3073--Authorizing initiating process for street paving, sanitary sewer and storm sewer construction to serve Luella Subdivision (1634) was read by number 'and title. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. C. Calling Public Hearing Re: Easement Vacation C.B. 1823--Calling public hearing March 7, 1979 re: Easement vacation located at southeast corner of West 18th Avenue and Washington Street (A&X, Inc.)(EV 78-15) was read by council bill number and title only, there being no Councilor present requesting that it be read in full. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Motion carried unanimously and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smithi approved and given final passage. Rol Councilors present voting aye, the bill and numbered 18328. that the bill be call vote. All was declared passed 1/24/79 - 5 Lf't D. Segregation of Assessment SE 79-1 Located on Dillard Road; applicant: Helen Hollyer for W. Scott Bartlett III . - Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve the segre- gation of assessment. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Citizens Involvement Advisory Committee--Materials distributed. Manager said the issue involved the relationship between the Citizens Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) and the Planning Commission. Materials submitted by the CIAC outlined their position and their requested recommendations. Also distributed was a memo from the Planning Commission which had been reviewed and adopted at its January 22 meeting. He noted Denyse McGriff from the CIAC, and Dr. John MacKinnon and Robert Barkman from the Planning Commission were available to make presentations. Denyse McGriff said the two basic issues from the CIAC's standpoint were: First, under the present setup, the Committee's role is to evaluate the existing citizen involvement program and make recommendations to ensure citizens have access to the land-use planning process. In order to make that process evaluation, it is felt the Committee must first review the land-use planning program being used by the City. This would afford a better understanding of where citizen involvement access points are. The second issue is the Committee feels it is difficult to evaluate citizen involvement in land-use planning processes when the very group to be evaluated is directing the program. She reviewed the recommendations from ~ the CIAC: 1) Council to allow the CIAC to report directly to the City Council; 2) Council to approve the adopted work plan of the CIAC; and 3) Council to directly appoint the at-large members of the CIAC and allow the membership to remain the same. Dr. MacKinnon, President of the Planning Commission, said one of the responsibilities Council has given to the Planning Commission is to be the citizen's advisory committee for the City. He said there was a distinction between that advisory committee and the CIAC. The function of the CIAC is to help develop better citizen involvement. He noted high compliments from LCDC to Eugene on its citizen involvement program at all levels. The Planning Commission was very encouraged at the formation of the CIAC, as the Commission's workload was such that it could not devote the time neces- sary to improve citizen involvement programs. It was hoped this Committee would improve input, and the Commission felt the most critical level was participation, particularly at the policy level. He said when meetings were held for policy action, a very small citizen turnout resulted. Thus, the Planning Commission felt a critical part of the ClAC's workload should be directed to attempting to solve that problem. The Commission feels the logical relationship should be the ClAC to report to the Planning Commissio~ as the citizens involvement committee. He said the Commission"would very much like to work with that Committee. He noted the Planning Commission memo was not a staff report, but had been developed over the weekend by Mr. Barkman and himself, with the Planning Commission endorsement. He said - 1/24/79 - 6 50 e the Commission does feel an urgency about improving citizen involvement at a policy level, as opposed to the implementation level. There is citizen involvement at all levels now, but citizen input at the policy level appears to be less than adequate. Ms. McGriff said the ClAC's work program was outlined in materials given to Council, with a time line for the various activities. One of the first items was to look into the first part of the planning process. The Commit- tee feels there are areas within the citizen involvement program that do need to be improved. The Committee also felt the entire process needs to be looked at. The conflict seems to be that because CrAC is looking at many areas including the policy level, that perhaps the Commission does not feel that to be proper. Regarding the Planning Commission's memo- randum and its reference to two separate planning bodies, she said that simply would not be so. The ClAC was not established to evaluate what the planning process is, but is interested in evaluating where the citizen involvement access points are in that process. Once evaluated, the recommendations for improvement would be made. Dr. MacKinnon noted for Council the Planning Commission would be very willing to work with the Council on alternatives to the program as it now exists. e Adrienne Lannom said she had served on both groups, and therefore was giving a IImiddlell report. She noted the Planning Commission had expressed interest and concern with the CrAC through appointing four members to the Committee, by meeting with the ClAC in February, and by scheduling infor- mal reports with her before June 26. She said the Planning Commission members were free at any time to come to any of the Committee meetings, but noted only Jim Bernhard attended. Except for a requested report on work programs June 26, no specific concerns of the Planning Commission had been transmitted to the Committee before June 26. She reviewed the actions which have resulted in the stalemate between the Committee and the Planning Commission. She felt those actions and reactions obscured the central issue. She said from public hearings and information gathered in April by the Committee, it appeared the reasons citizens were not in- volved at a policy making level was because of their perceptions of how they were allowed to be involved, and also how that involvement was responded to at the implementation level. The ClAC felt reviewing the implementation level processes might add to their evaluation and recom- mendations for involvement at the policy level. She said limiting ClAC's capability to gather information would not help produce solutions to increasing citizen involvement. On June 26, the Planning Commission action said it did not want the crAC to continue to look for that informa- tion. This is the issue that needs to be resolved. She had voted for the ClAC's recommendations and did not agree with the Planning Commission's recommendation. Regarding points raised in the Planning Commission memo, she said the fact that the CrAC was asking for information on the planning process does not lead to the conclusion that the Committee wanted to be a planning body. She said the dire predictions of what might'occur with the CrAC reporting directly to the Council probably would not come true. She said the Council presently has other commissions and boards reporting directly to it who are involved in some way to implement LCDC goals. That does not make them planning bodies, even though they are involved with planning. - 51 1/24/79 - 7 Manager noted there seemed to be a substantial difference of oplnlon existing with this serious problem which could not be resolved today. He suggested Council consider a process for reviewing the problems and ~ making recommendations for solutions. He suggested perhaps a Council ~ subcommittee would be the best process. . Mr. Lieuallen was not in favor of another Council committee. want to abdicate his responsibility to others on the Council, not have time to serve. However, he was not comfortable with resolve the problem today. Ms. Smith noted Dr. MacKinnon's suggestion for alternative developments, and suggested perhaps a Council committee might be able to gather addi- tional information regarding those alternatives. He did not and did trying to Mr. Delay felt perhaps Council originally should have been more forceful regarding the process and role of the Committee when it was originally established. H~ saw a lot of effort and time involved in resolving the present issues, and agreed he would be uncomfortable making a decision at this time. Ms. Miller noted whichever course was taken to resolve the problem, she felt it necessary that some resolution be made soon. She felt if a committee were set up, it should be directed to work within a short period of time for a suggested resolution. Manager noted there is a considerable amount of paperwork to read and work to do, and suggested perhaps a 60-day deadline period. Ms. Schue felt it important the committee be made up only of Councilors. She said it seemed the two opposing groups had passed the stage where they could reasonably reach a solution. However, she felt the resources of the two groups and Adrienne Lannom would be very important for the Council to reach a decision as to what should be done. e Mr. Haws moved, seconded by the Council be appointed as as necessary to resolve the report back in three weeks. Ms. Miller, that three members of a committee to meet and take action problems. The committee would Motion carried unanimously. Gretchen Miller, Emily Schue, and Eric Haws were named to the committee. Ms. Schue will be chairman. Meeting will be scheduled Thursday, January 25, 11:30 a.m., in the Mayor's office. Ms. Lannom brought up the question of some Committee members' appointments expiring and whether those people should continue until the problem is resolved. Mayor Keller said the normal procedure followed by the Council was that persons would continue to serve until new appointments had been made to replace them. Ms. McGriff hoped Council realized that they had had some problems with the minutes. She wanted Councilors to keep in mind that the minutes do not always reflect the actual and true intent of what went on during the meetings. ~ 1/24/79 - 8 5L ,- . Mayor Keller thanked both members of the Planning Commission and the ClAC for attending the meeting, and expressed appreciation for their input. A short recess was taken. v. Risk Management Status Report--Materials distributed. John Janzen, Risk Management, gave a progress and update report. The new program was implemented in March, 1978, and was concerned with workers compensation exposure and liability insurance exposure. He said the City had been looking at a premium cost projected to exceed $1 million during 1978-79. Risk management centers around identification of liabili- ty, evaluating the financial impact on the City, and determining the most effective method of financing for those exposures. e Regarding workers compensation exposure, he said the City's insurance bill was projected for this fiscal year to be $650,000. One alternative was to pursue self-insurance. In July it was determined to go into a special type of plan with the state insurance fund, which put the City in a self-rating position. lt is still an insured program, but the City is now receiving savings through managing its-claims more effectively and preventing accidents through training programs. The result for this year will be the City assuming a long-term liability compensation program perhaps by July 1. Regarding the liability exposure, Mr. Janzen said the premium level had been projected at $300,000 for this fiscal year. He said an analysis has been made of loss history, and a review of bids. It was determined that the most cost-effective method for the City would be a self-insurance program. Defining self-insurance, Mr. Janzen said the City purchases insurance, but the City has assumed a $100,000 retention on a per-occur- rence basis. The City has also purchased insurance above that to a $400,000 1 imit. Other benefits to the City would be the ability to contract to private independent adjusters to handle claims which will improve the claims handling capability and save money. The Scott Wetzel Services, Inc., has been contracted to handle this claims adjustment. One other area of exposure which has been included is in the area of Federal exposure. He said a recent change the type of liability defines the City as a person, and thus liable. This opens a broad range of liability under Federal law. The City has purchased coverage to protect the City and public officials (City Councilors, department heads, and City Manager). He said direct cost savings of perhaps one-third of the previous insurance cost would result. The City will be able to combat inflated rates as time goes on and can better control the loss, which will add additional savings. - In response to a question from Mayor Keller, Mr. Janzen said a reserve is being established by the City, and it was difficult to say how much money would be in that fund. He projected possibly one-half million dollars. He 1/24/79 - 9 53 said he would have a better idea of the amount after the next six months have expired. After that) the City can budget for projected losses and ~ administration costs of those losses. This will also increase savings for the City. Mr. Janzen affirmed that the money costs and savings would be reviewed by the Budget Committee. Assistant Manager noted Council will receive reports. However, it will possibly be two years before a complete report would be ready. He said also the City is obtaining better records and better accountability through this method. Also there is an incentive program in that the department that incurs the loss will have to share the loss. Mr. Lieuallen wondered what the City was doing in the area of workers compensation. Mr. Janzen said there are major training efforts at this time, with claims management training program for first-line supervisors. The training is to show the supervisor how to deal with workers comp claims, and how the City has a responsibility and role in the recovery progress of an employee. The intent is to get employees back to work, on light duty if necessary, as soon as possible. Mayor Keller requested a copy of the report so that he might share it with the League of Oregon Cities. He felt other cities in the state would be very interested in this information. ~pon motion dulY made, seconded, and passed, the meeting was adjourned to February 7, 1979. e ~J~ Charles T. Henry City Manager DT:ng/CM26b4 e, 1/24/79 - 10 54