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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 01/14/2013 Work SessionMINUTES Eugene City Council Harris Hall, 125 East 8 Avenue Eugene, Oregon 97401 January 14, 2013 5:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: George Brown, Betty Taylor, Greg Evans, Mike Clark, Chris Pryor, Alan Zelenka, Claire Syrett, George Poling Her Honor, Mayor Piercy called the January 14, 2013, work session of the Eugene City Council to order. A. COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST: Councilor Poling expressed thanks to Emergency Medical Services staff and also staff and doctors at Riverbend for the treatment he received. Councilor Taylor reported back on the board meeting of the National League of Cities. Councilor Evans gave a brief report on his agenda as a new City Councilor. Mayor Piercy noted she will be heading to the U.S Conference of Mayors annual conference where mayors from all over the country work on issues together. *CouncilorZelenka arrived at 5:40 p.m. B. WORK SESSION: FY14 Plan of Action - City Service Fee Proposal City Manager Jon Ruiz introduced the item and gave a Power Point presentation focusing on his proposal to close a $6 million budget gap with a modest service fee. Mr. Ruiz reviewed recent survey results and what services the community wants to maintain. A review of proposals to address budget shortfall: • Close $6 million gap through footprint reductions • Fund one -time services -move Parks to Stormwater Account • Restore Library services through new City service fee, capped at $10 per month. Comments and concerns: • Increase tax base instead of increasing taxes. • A vote will determine if the community wants to support this fee. • Lock in how money can be spent. • Public education MUST happen so people know more about this and should be specific - breakdown of where money will be spent, the cap, etc. • Exemption from rather than reimbursement of fees preferred. • Results might be hard to measure. • Fee would be per dwelling and per business. Some people will pay twice. • Some residents don't get service through EWEB - need to capture all residents. • Section 8, low- income housing residents should be exempt. • This fee supports ALL services the community enjoys. • The proposal follows attempts to close gaps through layoffs and service reductions. MINUTES - Eugene City Council January 14, 2013 Page 1 Work Session • Increasing stormwater fee without public vote might cause concern. • Multiple measures on the ballot: (jail levy, school district operating levy, etc.) may jeopardize chances of City measure passing. • EWEB may not be comfortable being the City's collection agency. Requests • Councilor Brown requested a list of one -time funding items. • Councilor Clark requested a work session poll for a meeting to discuss increasing the tax base by inviting non -city residents to annex into the city. • Councilors requested more details about the city service fee, including administration, collection, details on economic development, equity provisions for low income folks, and a proposed Plan B if the measure fails. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Brown, seconded by Councilor Syrett, moved to proceed to a Public Hearing on February 4, 2013. PASSED 6:2; Evans, Clark opposed Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, r U - Michelle Mortensen Deputy City Recorder MINUTES — Eugene City Council January 14, 2013 Page 2 Work Session