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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 09/10/2012 Work SessionMINUTES Eugene City Council Bascom/Tykeson Room, Eugene Public Library 100 W. 10 Avenue — Eugene, Oregon September 10, 2012 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Pat Farr, Betty Taylor, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, Andrea Ortiz, George Poling COUNCILORS ABSENT: Alan Zelenka Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the September 10, 2012 Work Session of the Eugene City Council to order. A: WORK SESSION: Discussion Concerning Downtown Public Safety Zone Lieutenant Sam Kamkar and Police Chief Pete Kerns introduced the topic. Lt. Kamkar provided a history of the DPSZ and some detail about the number of exclusions from mid -2011 through January, 2012. Both Chief Kerns and Lt. Kamkar advocated for the extension of the sunset date of the ordinance, with a few process amendments. EPD staff suggested they would find a way to examine and count behavior downtown, possibly with assistance from the University of Oregon. Additionally, Municipal Court staff proposed they would contract with a local attorney firm to provide legal advice to those cited for exclusion from the downtown core. Lt. Kamkar reviewed some items and clarified the following things: • EPD doesn't exclude anyone, but refers the individual to a judge at Municipal Court who reviews the situation and makes a decision about whether or not to exclude them. • EPD concentrates their efforts on prolific offenders and those who commit serious crimes. • This is a tool EPD needs to help make downtown safer and data shows it is working. • Data confirms those who are excluded from downtown often don't return and they are not perpetrating crimes elsewhere in Eugene during the period of exclusion. Municipal Court Administrator Jeff Perry spoke in support of extending the DPSZ and suggested entering into a new contractual agreement with a local attorney firm at an estimated cost of $10,000 to $15,000 annually. City Prosecutor Dan Barkovic recapped the types of offenses people were cited for and noted that the DPSZ helps keep serious offenders out of downtown and as a result, the downtown area is safer. Presiding Municipal Court Judge Wayne Allen recapped some of the reasons for dismissals and reiterated that this tool helps judges do their jobs in ways that were not previously available to them Council Questions and Answers: • Are people given verbal notice of hearing? Notice is given in writing. Very few request a hearing and those who do often don't show up. • How do we address lack of bed space /funding at the Lane County Jail? Given the current jail situation, DPSZ helps address some of the people who would otherwise be walking around causing problems. • Who qualifies for a Court Appointed Attorney (CAA)? All people who are cited qualify. • How are hours billed for the CAA, what is billed, how does the financial component work? Attorneys will bill if the charges warrant it. The CAA portion would be billed separately so that those hours are tracked independently of other charges. MINUTES – Eugene City Council September 10, 2012 Page 1 Work Session Is the CAA responsible for assisting with hearing only, but not the underlying charge? Yes, but in some circumstances the CAA may also assist with the underlying charge as well. If people are contacted only after they're in jail, how would they find out about the CAA? They would receive the bright yellow business card and the printed notice. Additionally, their financial paperwork would also allow the Court to refer them immediately to CAA. B: ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCILORS AND CITY MANAGER • Councilor Taylor commented that the proposed increase iubparking rates would create an economic hardship and would not be good for downtown. • A constituent raised concerns about burning in wetlands. Discussion on this item: The City might consider manual removal of unwanted plants, but it is expensive and staff intensive. A comment was made that both animals and people are at risk. The City Manager indicated he would look at reasons for burning of wetlands. • Councilor Poling reported that on a recent trip to an event Seattle he saw the prototype of EV vehicles, including the Arcimoto vehicle. • Councilor Farr said he attended the Human Rights Commission Retreat. He conveyed his strong feeling of support for their work. Councilor Farr also noted that the Bethel School District is planning to replace two schools with no new money, and no tax rate increase. • Regarding the proposed parking fee increase, Councilor Clark agreed with Councilor Taylor and wanted to look for ways to make downtown parking free. • Mayor Piercy acknowledged the many things Eugene has to celebrate: new Police Station, Eugene Celebration, progress on Regional Prosperity Plan, Sunday Streets, completion of an additional new Vets Housing Project, the work of Lane Area Commission On Transportation, and more. Consent Calendar: A. Approval of City Council Minutes - June 27, 2012, Work Session - July 9, 2012, Work Session - July 9, 2012, Regular Meeting - July 18, 2012, Work Session - July 23, 2012, Work Session - July 23, 2012, Regular Meeting - July 25, 2012, Work Session B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda C. Ratification of Intergovernmental Relations Committee Minutes of July 18, 2012 D. Appointment to Lane Workforce Partnership Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Farr, moved to approve the items on the Consent calendar,. The motion passed 7 -0. The Mayor requested that the action on the alley vacation be moved to beginning of the City Council meeting, followed by the public comment period. Councilors agreed to the agenda adjustment. The work session of the Eugene City Council adjourned at 7:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Mortensen Deputy City Recorder MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 10, 2012 Page 2 Work Session