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required. The building permit process must monitor technical /sub <br /> contractors to see if licensed and certified by state. State of <br /> Oregon has no permit system for landscape gardeners. Currently, <br /> six state inspectors monitor all contractors - general, elect. etc. <br /> State depends on city to monitor for contractors' licensing. If <br /> a permit is issued to general contractor, the general must prove <br /> certification of subs. This is not applicable to tree maintenance <br /> or landscape gardeners. Also, because there is no inspection <br /> required for landscape work, the only way the State would find out <br /> if a landscape contractor is not licensed is if a lawsuit were <br /> brought against that contractor. <br /> City licensing: City of Eugene currently regulates only <br /> businesses with potential impact on public health /safety. City is <br /> not interested in licensing businesses which have no impact on <br /> public health or safety. They see such licensing as unnecessary <br /> bureaucracy. City is now licensing only 7 -8 businesses. This is <br /> a regulatory program, not just a registration and is used only for <br /> certain businesses. It is not used to meet policy objectives, <br /> aesthetic,or behavioral objectives not connected with public health <br /> and safety. <br /> Any request for licensing to be instated would require proof <br /> of public health or safety concerns. Any other request for <br /> licensing would require a policy change. <br /> Myrnie Daut: Risk management <br /> Synopsis: City is self insured for first $200,000 of each <br /> individual claim. Regulating or certifying competence may increase <br /> city's liability, esp. if certification involved hazardous work <br /> such as utility tree maintenance. Both speakers encouraged us to <br /> think about enforcement questions. How can they be funded? Who <br /> will monitor and enforce? <br /> Discussion: Jenny stated committee never envisioned <br /> licensing /certification. Tree maintenance education program would <br /> be voluntary, not mandatory. <br /> Myrnie said continuing education was important for landscape <br /> professionals, but asked why city would need to require it? <br /> Ron said city recognition for special training would be an <br /> incentive for people to take the course. <br /> Questions raised for further discussion: Are there other <br /> incentives we could offer? <br /> - Would a disclaimer work? <br /> Can city work to limit liability? <br /> Would any involvement by Tree Commission increase city liability? <br /> Should city be body to do certification? <br /> How will this program interface with public tree maintenance? <br /> Items 3,4,5,6. <br /> Calendar: To be discussed with city graphics person (at her <br /> request) after June 15th. <br /> EWEB insert: Tom Santi at EWEB felt that March would be best <br />