HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.26.2018 City Council Work Session MinutesMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Harris Hall, 125 East 8�h Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
September 26, 2018
12:00 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clary Claire Syrett, Chris
Pryor
Councilors Absent: Alan Zelenka, Greg Evans
Mayor Vinis opened the September 26, 2018, Work Session of the Eugene City Council.
1. WORK SESSION: Community Safety System Update
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt, Police Chief Chris Skinner, Fire Chief Joe Zaludek, and
Community Safety Project Manager Kevin Alltucker provided an overview and update of
progress made since the last update, desired outcomes, and next steps. Chief Skinner and Chief
Zaludek reported back about the 26 community events they attended over the summer.
Council Discussion
• Happy and excited about this initiative and the progress being made; so much work has
gone into the process.
• The bridge funding will give council an idea of how this is all going to work; council can then
move forward to find more permanent funding.
• The complicated information in the presentation was provided in a very accessible way.
• Support the idea of using a dedicated bank account which will help make it an open,
transparent, and accountable process to see where the dollars are actually going.
• After the school lock -down, North Eugene residents expressed their appreciation for the
police response and knowing that their kids and the community were safe, that the situation
was under control in short order, and that communication was timely and effective.
• With a new chief and a new plan in place, the community can look forward to new results.
• This plan is a reflection of the work that has been done to take in feedback from the
community, synthesize it, and think creatively about the daunting challenges.
• Something has significantly changed in the approach the City is taking towards these
matters. There has been much more collaboration between City departments and that is
the only way progress can be made.
• Continue reaching out to Lane County as the provider of mental health services. They need
to be engaged with the City on these issues.
• The community would greatly benefit from a centrally located day center.
• The report appropriately corrects the myth that if more shelters or services are offered, it
will attract more people from other communities.
• Happy to see thoughtful, deliberate, and accountable action lined up to address potential
barriers.
• Support for the bridge funding approach should be built on the expectation that the City has
started a running clock running to find the ongoing money. There has to be follow-through.
• The city urgently needs a downtown homeless shelter if it's going to enforce existing
camping and sleeping laws.
• Need to start looking for new sources of revenue, such as a hotel tax.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 26, 2018 Page 1
Work Session
• Appreciate Chief Skinner for bringing specifics about how additional officers will be
deployed. Having that tactical information helps council explain to constituents what
direction the police department is going.
• Very supportive of additional 9-1-1 call takers; the plan recognizes that with inadequate
staffing levels, employees get burned out which creates vacancies and then more burnout.
• In situations where there may not be a need or capacity for a sworn officer to respond to
reports of burglaries or crimes not in -progress, there should be a customer service oriented
response at a minimum.
• Appreciate the participation from police union leadership in being a part of this solution.
• Reminder that there will also be expenses associated with the upcoming shelter asks
• Hopeful that there will be robust attention given to the communication center because they
need help.
MOTION: Councilor Clark, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to direct the City
Manager to include in proposed Supplemental Budget #1 the $8.6 million
bridge strategy and to immediately begin work on long-term funding strategies to
be completed prior to February 1, 2019.
Council Discussion
• Thank you to the City Manager for hiring the new police chief, have heard many accolades
from the community.
• This is exciting work and gives us hope for change.
• Questions asked about the process and timeline for the community safety process team.
VOTE: PASSED 6:0
The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elena Domingo
Deputy City Recorder
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting: here.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 26, 2018 Page 2
Work Session