HomeMy WebLinkAbout210913 WSMINUTES
Eugene City Council
Virtual Work Session
Eugene, Oregon 97401
September 13, 2021
5:30 p.m.
Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Matt Keating, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Greg Evans,
Claire Syrett, Randy Groves
Mayor Vinis opened the September 13, 2021, work session of the Eugene City Council in virtual format.
1. WORK SESSION: Community Safety Initiative Update
Assistant City Manager Kristie Hammitt gave an update highlighting the progress of the Community
Safety Initiative (CSI) and next steps. Lead Staff Kevin Alltucker gave an overview of the community
CSI engagement processes. Police Chief Chris Skinner gave an update and timeline on the calls -for -
service metrics from his department. Finance Director Twylla Miller gave an update on the payroll tax
collection.
Council Discussion:
■ Councilor Evans - commented that a reason he voted for CSI was because of the shortage of officers
and that makes the community far more unsafe than it is when there's slow response time to
service calls; shared that he had the opportunity to talk to line officers and heard a consistent
theme that officers are frustrated, tired, feel like expectations about what they can respond to are
unrealistic; asked about coordination of mental health services with Lane County and providing a
system that can adequately respond to existing needs.
■ Councilor Keating - shared his experience of going on a ride along with officers and witnessing the
multitude of unanswered calls and how stretched law enforcement officers are; asked for more
clarity on community safety services related to homelessness stated in section three of the
ordinance; asked about the relationship between the County and City in light of the accusation
from a County Commissioner on misapplying tax authority.
■ Councilor Groves - commented that the disparity between resources and demands for service
continues to widen for EPD response; asked what is driving the call increase; shared his
appreciation for the team working to stay on top of quality -of -life issues; expressed concern about
the mental health of officers and how this is addressed in the department.
■ Councilor Syrett - said the report was thorough; asked what the CSI Project Manager position
responsibilities are; commented that a business constituent gave good feedback on the tax
collection process and that some of those changes are being implemented; asked if there is ongoing
funding for homelessness and youth services programs that is connected to the CSI; asked which
current programs gained funding through this initiative.
■ Councilor Clark - asked Chief Skinner how he feels about the capacity and understaffing problems
and whether he would make any adjustments in spending from what was forecasted two years
ago; asked what the bare necessities are to serve victims.
■ Councilor Yeh - asked Chief Skinner about the challenges with hiring employees and how he is
planning to move forward if the trend continues.
■ Councilor Zelenka - commented the appeal of the CSI was to increase capacity and the ability to
respond problems in many difference service areas; shared his concern about the mental health of
officers and the City of Eugene s ability to retain them; asked how this circumstance is being
assessed and how it will impact fulfilling the goals of the CSI; asked how long the cycle takes before
MINUTES - Eugene City Council September 13, 2021 Page 1
Work Session
an officer is hired; asked if poaching employees from other agencies is a tactic used by EPD; asked
what is needed from Council for the next steps
■ Councilor Semple - shared frustration over her efforts to get more officers hired and now the City
finds itself further behind in staffing; appreciated the Chiefs methods in dealing with the staffing
shortage.
Meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brooke Freed
City Recorder (AIC)
(Recorded by Niyah Ross)
Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here.
MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 13, 2021 Page 2
Work Session