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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Packet 11-25-19 Work SessionNovember 25, 2019, Work Session EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA November 25, 2019 5:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Harris Hall, 125 East 8th Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 Meeting of November 25, 2019; Her Honor Mayor Lucy Vinis Presiding Councilors Betty Taylor, President Emily Semple, Vice President Mike Clark Greg Evans Chris Pryor Claire Syrett Jennifer Yeh Alan Zelenka 5:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 1.Committee Reports and Items of Interest 2.WORK SESSION: Community Safety Initiative Update 3.WORK SESSION: Update from Municipal Court Presiding Judge November 25, 2019, Work Session For the hearing impaired, an interpreter can be provided with 48 hours' notice prior to the meeting. Spanish-language interpretation will also be provided with 48 hours' notice. To arrange for these services, contact the receptionist at 541-682-5010. City Council meetings are telecast live on Metro Television, Comcast channel 21, and rebroadcast laterin the week.El consejo de la Ciudad de Eugene agradece su interés en estos asuntos de la agenda. El lugar de la reunión tiene acceso para sillas de ruedas. Se puede proveer a un intérprete para las personas con discapacidad auditiva si avisa con 48 horas de anticipación. También se puede proveer interpretación para español si avisa con 48 horas de anticipación. Para reservar estos servicios llame al 541-682-5010. Las reuniones del consejo de la ciudad se transmiten en vivo por Metro Television, Canal 21 de Comcast y son retransmitidas durante la semana. For more information, contact the Council Coordinator at 541-682-5010 or visit us online at www.eugene-or.gov. November 25, 2019, Work Session – Item 2 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Work Session: Community Safety Initiative Update Meeting Date: November 25, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Kristie Hammitt www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5524 ISSUE STATEMENT The purpose of this work session is to provide the City Council with an update on the implementation of Community Safety Initiative and administration of Community Safety Payroll Tax. BACKGROUND In 2018, City Council had four work sessions to understand and address growing deficiencies across the community safety system. On September 26, 2018, staff provided council with a three-pronged approach to improving police response time, timely and effective resolution of cases, and prevention and programs to deter crime, connect people to services, support homelessness services, and engage at-risk youth. At that time, City Council passed a motion to provide one-time funding of $8.6 million in the FY19 Supplemental Budget. These funds launched the Community Safety Initiative to address urgent needs to support prevention efforts and services for youth and people experiencing homelessness as well as police and emergency response services. The funding provides for additional police officers, 911 dispatchers, jail beds, and prevention programs that help at-risk youth and chronic offenders. The one-time funding for services was approved in December 2018 and expires on June 30, 2020. Implementation of strategies began in early 2019. EPD has added an eight officer Street Crimes Unit and five Community Safety Officers to respond to non-emergency calls, the City Prosecutor’s Office has stabilized their team, and Municipal Court is on track to fill positions by the end of the year to support the workload from the Eugene Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office. In addition, the work of the Community Outreach and Response Team and Community Court have continued, ensuring low-level and chronic offenders are diverted from the criminal justice system, connected to services, and able to contribute back to the community through restorative service hours. Funding for homeless services has expanded shelter options including additional spaces at Rest Stops and doubling the capacity of the Dusk to Dawn facility. These funds have also supported improved car camping services, the creation of an action plan advisor to help transition people from Rest Stops to long-term housing, and the expansion of service hours at the Lindholm Center. November 25, 2019, Work Session – Item 2 After approving the one-time funding, council also gave direction to immediately begin work on long-term funding strategies to address critical community safety needs based on the identified strategies. A Community Safety Revenue Team was formed to develop a recommendation for the City Manager. At the February 13, 2019, work session, staff provided an update on the progress of the Community Safety Initiative and the Revenue Team’s recommendation of a payroll tax. At the June 10, 2019, work session, City Council passed a payroll tax ordinance to provide long-term funding of the Community Safety Initiative. The Community Safety Payroll Tax is expected to generate $23.6 million annually. Following approval of the ordinance, staff began planning of implementation and administration of the payroll tax. The ordinance passed by council includes critical accountability requirements to ensure the funding is used as directed including a citizen advisory board, annual independent audits, and service performance reviews. After seven years, the public will vote on whether continue the payroll tax. Earlier this month, voters approved a charter amendment that caps the payroll tax rates and limits the use of the funds generated to community safety. An informational flyer is included in Attachment A. At this work session, staff will provide an update on implementation and impact of the Community Safety Initiative and progress update on the administration of the payroll tax. PREVIOUS COUNCIL DIRECTION Eugene City Council Work Session: June 10, 2019 Eugene City Council Public Hearing: May 28, 2019 Eugene City Council Work Session: May 8, 2019 Eugene City Council Work Session: April 8, 2019 Eugene City Council Workshop: February 23, 2019 Eugene City Council Work Session: February 13, 2019 Eugene City Council Work Session: September 26, 2018 Eugene City Council Wednesday Work Session: July 18, 2018 Eugene City Council Wednesday Work Session: May 16, 2018 Eugene City Council Public Hearing & Work Session: February 20, 2018 COUNCIL OPTIONS Informational work session only. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION None. Informational work session only. SUGGESTED MOTION None. Informational work session only. November 25, 2019, Work Session – Item 2 ATTACHMENTS A. Community Safety Payroll Tax Informational Flyer FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Kristie Hammitt Telephone: 541-682-5524 Staff E-Mail: khammitt@eugene-or.gov What is the problem? OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY SYSTEM IS STRESSED •Calls for police service have increased 21 percent since 2014. •Staffing levels have remained relatively flat. •One out of three non-life-threatening police calls for service receive no response, and general response times have increased by 20 minutes. •The number of unsheltered homeless adults is significantly higher than in many other similar communities. The system includes police, fire, 911, municipal court, prevention and social services, which are interdependent and work together. Homeless outreach Jail services Police 911 Fire & EMS Municipal courts Youth services Cahoots Keeping the community safe RESPOND FASTER • DETER CRIME • BE ACCOUNTABLE What is the plan? Since 2015, the City has identified ways to maximize existing resources and reduce demands on the overall Community Safety System. In 2018, Eugene City Council endorsed a one-time, 18-month $8.6 million bridge strategy to continue effective programs and meet critical needs through June 2020. Approximately $23.6 million per year is needed to create longer-term stability. Eugene City Council approved a Community Safety Payroll Tax to meet this ongoing need. HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE SPENT FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS •40 patrol officers, 5 detectives, 4 sergeants and lieutenant •10 community service officers, sergeant and lieutenant •9.5 staff for 911 •Street Crimes Unit •Animal welfare and traffic safety officers •Evidence control and forensic analysts •10 additional jail beds and increased jail services •Opening 3rd municipal courtroom with additional staffing •911 triage/community response unit •Expansion of Community Court and Mental Health Court •Enhanced homeless services – emergency shelter options and day center •After school programs at Title 1 schools 65 ¢ PO L I C E 15 ¢ M U N I C I P A L C O U R T 10 ¢ FI R E & E M S 7¢ HO M E L E S S N E S S 3 ¢ PR E V E N T I O N November 25, 2019, Work Session – Item 2 ATTACHMENT A Find the most current information on community safety at: eugene-or.gov/CommunitySafety or by calling 541-682-5587 Community Safety Payroll Tax Monthly Cost to Minimum Wage Employees Tax Rate $12/hr* 0.0000 $0/mo * As of July 1, 2020, the minimum wage in Eugene will be $12 per hour. Monthly Cost to Employees Earning $12.01-$15/hour Tax Rate $13/hr $14/hr $15/hr 0.0030 $7/mo $7/mo $8/mo Monthly Cost to Employees at Various Hourly Wages Tax Rate $16/hr $20/hr $24/hr $28/hr $32/hr $36/hr $40/hr 0.0044 $12/mo $15/mo $18/mo $21/mo $24/mo $27/mo $31/mo Monthly Cost to Employers (2 or Less Employees) with Annual Gross Payroll of $100,000 Tax Rate $100,000** 0.0015 $13/mo **An employer with two employees or less would receive a reduced rate of .0015 on the first $100,000 of payroll. Monthly Cost to Employers (More than 2 Employees) with Annual Gross Payroll of $500,000 Tax Rate $500,000 0.0021 $88/mo Accountability Funds will only be used to pay for community safety services. Protections in the ordinance passed by the Council include: • Creating a separate fund for payroll tax revenue • Ensuring that payroll tax funds won’t replace existing funding • Requiring an independent financial audit • Establishing a citizen advisory board to review annual performance audits • Requiring a 7-year review and reauthorization • Charter amendment capping the rates and limiting use to community safety Next Steps • Continued community outreach • Development of administrative rules and collection method Three-pronged approach RESPOND This is the first priority with the goals of: • Answering more calls • Getting to more crimes faster, especially those that are low-level • Using new tools and methods to increase efficiency RESOLVE The goal is to resolve every situation in a way that is best for the people involved, as well as the community. • More investigations • More court services • More accountability PREVENT Many people are seen repeatedly. The goal is to reduce those interactions and help people deal with their challenges. Community partners are integral. • Deter crime • Connect people to services • Engage at-risk youth early As a community we are at our best when we come together to solve our toughest challenges. We can keep Eugene a welcoming and safe place for all. - Eugene Police Chief Skinner November 25, 2019, Work Session – Item 2