|
In March 2005, the City Council unanimously adopted its top eight priority issues for the coming biennium.
<br />Each of the City's executive managers took the lead on one issue and formed an interdepartmental staff team
<br />to develop an action plan. The City Council has now approved a plan for each issue with short- and long-term
<br />objectives, and implementation has begun.
<br />Complete and Consider Police Department Reviews and Implement Appropriate Changes
<br />Independent, professional reviews of hiring, training, and supervision practices were conducted by the International Ciry-
<br />Counry Management Association and the Police Executive Research Forum, with findings outlined in what is known as
<br />the ICMA/PERF report. The Eugene Police Department is actively engaged in developing a strategic plan, incorporating
<br />extensive feedback from the public and employees, to implement the report's recommendations. The strategic plan
<br />will also provide a framework for consideration of existing programs which are outside the scope of the ICMA/PERF
<br />recommendations. The planning process will identify programs and activities that best support the department's mission
<br />and the City's vision and goals, and will prioritize initiatives to improve
<br />organizational capacity, effectiveness and accountability The
<br />draft strategic plan, reviewed by the council in November,
<br />establishes the implementation plan for this priority issue.
<br />
<br />Develop City Council Position on Racial Issues
<br />By acknowledging and illuminating instances of bias in the community and making a commitment to change, the City
<br />Council is in a unique position to set the tone for race relations in Eugene and the metropolitan area. Councilors intend
<br />to articulate their collective philosophy on race.relations and then act quickly and collectively against acts of racism in the
<br />community. One emphasis of the approved action plan is for the council to hear from the communities of color and
<br />solicit their perspectives on race relations in order to gain a better understanding of the issues. In November, the council
<br />met with a small group of representatives of the communities of color to plan for a larger meeting in February 2006.
<br />`' `_~ ,,I
<br />'~
<br />~, ~.
<br />r ,
<br />1
<br />`,i
<br />Facilitate the Development of a Hospital in Eugene's Central Core
<br />A top priority for councilors since early 2004, city managers and staff have worked diligently to
<br />facilitate the development of ahospital in the central area of Eugene. Significant work has been
<br />dedicated to identifying several potential sites, assessing land assembly issues, determining public
<br />approvals, public improvements and resources needed to support development of a hospital on
<br />those sites, and identifying possible incentives. McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center (MWMC),
<br />the hospital currently considering location in Eugene, has now selected a site outside of the core
<br />area as its desired location and has agreed to purchase the site. With City Council approval, staff
<br />is developing an agreement with MWMC to outline issues, roles and responsibilities related to
<br />development of a hospital on this proposed site.
<br />Conclude Discussion on City Hall Complex
<br />The expansion or replacement of City Hall has been a major council project since 1999, when the federal government
<br />offered to purchase City Hall to use the site for a new federal courthouse. The approved action plan outlines afour-
<br />phased approach: 1) policy advisement; 2) development plan; 3) implementation plan; and 4) design and construction,
<br />The City contracted with Thomas Hacker Architects (THA) of Portland, to lead work on the first two phases.
<br />Representatives of THA conducted interviews with councilors and facilitated a workshop with the City Council in
<br />October to identify and provide direction on relevant policy issues. The council agreed on eight overall values to guide
<br />the project and position statements for four key issues. The council. will consider in late 2005 how to proceed with the
<br />development plan phase.
<br />Page 10 City of Eugene ~ Highlights of 2005
<br />Push Arts and Outdoors as a Theme for Eugene
<br />Eugene's plentiful arts and outdoor resources are unique assets of our city and major contributors to the community's
<br />overall quality of life. Strengthening and promoting these assets has two significant benefits: 1) improved sustainable
<br />economic activity through increased tourism and commerce; and 2) enhanced community livability with expanded access
<br />to cultural and environmental amenities for area residents. The City Council recently adopted a slogan for Eugene
<br />to assist in promoting the community as a center for arts and outdoors activities. With assistance from a consultant,
<br />staff will assemble community partners to jointly develop a marketing
<br />strategy. for effectively communicating the arts and outdoors as a
<br />community identity and an economic development theme. The
<br />marketing plan will establish agreements regarding the roles and
<br />responsibilities of various agencies and will evaluate opportunities
<br />to develop resources within the community as well as promoting
<br />them outside of the area.
<br />Skinner Butte Park
<br />Disc~~ery Village
<br />_~r_,
<br />a,G, I ,,,., ~.„ \
<br />„u~.
<br />Re-Staff Fire Station #9
<br />In June 2002, as a result of exponential growth in the area, the Eugene Fire and EMS Department was asked to begin
<br />providing fire suppression, rescue and EMS first response to Eugene residents living in the Santa Clara area. With no
<br />new funding available to provide the expanded level of service, this was accomplished through an interim strategy of
<br />redeploying the existing engine crew from the Valley River Fire Station 9 to a new, temporary facility in Santa Clara. In
<br />2005, the City Council allocated resources to re-staff the Valley River engine crew A full-time paramedic engine crew
<br />will again be responding from the Valley River Station beginning in January 2006.
<br />launch Neighborhood Initiative
<br />The purpose of the neighborhood initiative is to build strong neighborhoods by developing community leadership and
<br />working collaboratively with residents to achieve the delivery of City services and neighborhood priorities. Three key
<br />objectives are targeted: 1) focus service delivery to better meet neighborhood needs and priorities; 2) enhance :public
<br />engagement activities; and 3) support neighborhood involvement by empowering all neighborhood associations in
<br />problem-solving. The action plan is intended to build on the City's long history of working with the neighborhood
<br />associations, and to achieve a stronger collaborative partnership. The action plan was approved by the City Council in
<br />November. The next step is to involve the neighborhood associations and other stakeholders in further refinement of
<br />the plan and begin implementation.
<br />Develop a Strategy to Help the Homeless in Eugene
<br />Homelessness is a complex issue that the City cannot effectively address alone. The City Council and staff are working
<br />with interested stakeholders, including homeless and at-risk community members as well as service providers and
<br />governmental agencies, to address the needs in our community. An action plan was approved in November. Some key
<br />strategies being implemented are:
<br />• Collaborate with community stakeholders to identify and prioritize the most critical needs; identify funding and
<br />recommend strategies for implementation to Ciry Council,
<br />• Continue funding of the Safe and Sound program that assists at-risk youth.
<br />• Complete implementation of the Eugene Public Library program to allow homeless community members ,equal
<br />access to materials and services.
<br />• Augment current contributions to the Energy Share program to assist low-income residents with their EWEB bills,
<br />• Work with local transportation providers, such as LTD, to offer subsidized transportation options to those in need,
<br />Ciry of Eugene ~ Highlights of 2005 Page 11
<br />
|