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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 03/14/11 Work SessionMINUTES Eugene City Council McNutt Room —City Hall 777 Pearl Street — Eugene, Oregon March 14, 2011 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Andrea Ortiz, George Poling, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, Alan Zelenka, Pat Farr. COUNCILORS ABSENT: Betty Taylor. Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the March 14, 2011, work session of the Eugene City Council to order. A. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute 192.660(2)(h) The City Council met in executive session in accordance with Oregon Revised Statute 192.660(2)(h). B. ITEMS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Police Commission, Lane Metro Partnership, Lane Transit District/EmX, Oregon Metropolitan Planning Organization Consortium, McKenzie Watershed Council, Housing Policy Board Mr. Clark reported that the Eugene Police Commission completed its work on the Use of Force policy reviews in February. The commission heard a status report on its work plan and learned it was ahead of schedule. In March the commission learned the Civilian Review Board had two openings, discussed the challenges faced by the Eugene Police Department (EPD) in investigating crimes against the homeless population, and talked about the work planned by the commission's Outreach Committee to improve communications between the EPD and the community. The commission also discussed its policy review process to clarify the process for all members and to illustrate where people could provide input into the process to request reviews. Mr. Clark offered to share the policy review flow chart developed to illustrate the process with interested councilors. He concluded by saying the commission discussed its upcoming process retreat. Mayor Piercy added to the report on the Police Commission by saying that Police Chief Pete Kerns also provided his regular monthly report in March and indicated that the EPD would do targeted enforcement in the West University Neighborhood over spring break, that burglaries continued to decline, and that the department was currently hiring new officers. Mr. Clark invited councilors to let the commission know if they had a suggestion for the work plan. Mr. Zelenka asked if the Civilian Review Board provided input into the selection of its new members. Mr. Clark said yes. Mr. Zelenka asked who would produce the survey mentioned. Mr. Clark indicated the Outreach Committee would do the survey with the assistance of staff familiar with survey development. Mr. Zelenka emphasized the importance of asking the right questions. MINUTES— Eugene City Council March 14, 2011 Page 1 Work Session Mr. Zelenka asked how the Police Commission would address personnel needs in its review of the EPD budget. Mr. Clark did not know the specifics of the review but it would be presented to the full commission. Ms. Ortiz said members of the Police Commission expressed concern about the closure of the Whiteaker Public Safety Station. When she visited it was always busy. She hoped that the department would do something to sustain a presence in the neighborhood and was in contact with more than just a few Whiteaker residents. Several commissioners also expressed concern that the council gave it support to have the meetings video - recorded so the recordings could be made available for others to view. She wanted resolution to that issue. Mayor Piercy said that Keli Osborn of the City Manager's Office had indicated to her staff was working on making such videos available in an equitable manner for all advisory committees. Mr. Clark supported a budget allocation to support video recording for the Police Commission. City Manager Jon Ruiz agreed to follow -up. Mr. Pryor distributed copies of the Housing Policy Board report. Mr. Poling reported that Lane Transit District's EmX Steering Committee met on March 1 to hear an update on the performance of the Gateway EmX route. On -time arrivals were not meeting expectations due to new riders, congestion at Beltline and Gateway, and signalization coordination. Overall ridership had increased beyond projections. Staff also provided an update of the West Eugene EmX proposal by briefing the group about the council work session. Mr. Poling announced that Travel Lane County was holding an open house at its Gateway facility on March 16. Mr. Farr reported that he had attended his first meeting of the Metro Partnership on March 3 and learned there were 31 open items on the organization's activity report, which he offered to make available to other councilors. Mr. Brown reported on the work of the McKenzie Watershed Council, saying the council held its March meeting in Leaburg at the fire station. The council heard a presentation from the local Oregon water master, who discussed the details of western water law. The council was moving forward with a riparian shade sponsorship program on Cedar Creek, which was a McKenzie River tributary. Mayor Piercy reviewed the legislative priorities of the Oregon Metropolitan Planning Organization Consortium, noting that the priorities were generally aligned with Eugene's priorities. Responding to a question from Mr. Zelenka, Mayor Piercy confirmed that Oregon had applied for the high speed rail funds rejected by other states. Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '6 & jw,� Beth Forest City Recorder (Recorded by Kimberly Young) MINUTES— Eugene City Council March 14, 2011 Page 2 Work Session