[NLC] Neighborhood Services Budget

Sun Feb 10 12:01:59 PST 2008

First off - Isaac; I'm sure I speak for everyone at RRCO when I shout out sincerest thanks to the NS team and Planning Department for their generous and brilliant help with our River Road Celebration yesterday. The materials, time and expertise provided went above and beyond and are greatly appreciated. 

As to the budget: I asked the question and raised the issue for a practical reason. It appeared to me that NS was starting the process with inaccurate data. The breakdown of FTE Isaac sent confirmed it. I just want to raise a point and leave it at that:

I support 'increased ongoing support' for neighborhoods and understand it may be difficult for any program to get "Enhanced Service" approved in this budget cycle. But, I thought, we had proactively addressed the situation by "adding" a Neighborhood Planner. It confused me to see the NS "Primary" staffing level of 2.15 (manager, planner, and support staff) because that's what the staffing level has been for years, with one title being different: manager, liaison, and support staff. I asked the percentage question to be sure the new planner position was considered NS staff. How potentially having the Public Service Officer part of NS would affect this all I have no clue - but that's beside the point.

Funding sources aside: when NS "added" a Planner position (as has been widely proclaimed) the FTE level went from 2.15 to 3.15 (manager, planner, liaison, support staff) and, practically speaking, enhancements should begin from there. It's never been suggested or implied that we "replaced" or "eliminated" the liaison. 

I raised the other point about recognizing the historical accomplishments of NS to remind us all what positive results 2.15 FTE has produced to this point, and to remind us that increased support is necessary for all the reasons, and more, outlined in the Enhanced Service Offer (which, practically speaking again, should be the Primary Service Offer). NS could be actively working on those enhancements now - with a funded staff of manager, planner, liaison and support. I believe there have been "additions" made to staff and funding for the other two priorities (I haven't seen their budget proposals though). The "Enhanced Offer" services are what was in mind with the "Increase Ongoing Support" proposal. If NS is still at 2.15 we're just moving services around, not improving on them. 

Like I said - I'm just raising the point. I'm not looking for an e-discussion of budget issues and funding sources. I'd like to see "Increased Ongoing Support" realized and see where it will take the program. 

Thanks and with respect to all;

SN, RRCO

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MARKEHE Isaac R<mailto:isaac.r.markehe at ci.eugene.or.us> 
  To: STEVE LINDA NORRIS<mailto:snlnorris at msn.com> ; nlc at eugeneneighbors.org<mailto:nlc at eugeneneighbors.org> 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 10:53 PM
  Subject: RE: [NLC] Neighborhood Services Budget

  Hi Steve,

  The FTE breakdown for the Neighborhood Program is;
  Isaac @ 1.0 FTE 
  Michael @ 1.0 FTE
  Toni @ .15 FTE
  Cindy is currently @ .125.  We are also working on increasing her time to .375
  Michelle is on loan from the City Managers Office until June 2008, and comes with her FTE paid.  As you mentioned, the program is currently being staffed by "loaned" employees; if the transition continues to be smooth, we are hoping that the Public Service Officer (Michelle) can continue to be housed in PDD/Neighborhoods. My appointment as the Neighborhood Services Manager will be revisited in May. 

  The neighborhood-based Olympic Trial Mitigation Grants were approved by the City Council, through the Budget committee. You can find information on the City's Neighborhood Services page under Eugene 08 Neighborhood Grants, and I've copied an excerpt here from our website;

  Eugene's City Council has provided $12,000 in grant funds for projects designed to mitigate the impacts of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials on adjacent neighborhoods.  The grants are to be distributed among five neighborhoods as follows:

  .          Fairmount Neighbors ($3,000)
  .          South University Neighbors ($3,000)
  .          Amazon Neighbors ($2,000)
  .          Harlow Neighbors ($2,000)
  .          West University Neighbors ($2,000)

  Grants are available for immediate use for neighborhoods to help them prepare for the increased activity and anticipated impacts associated with the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.  No match is required.  Projects designed to beautify neighborhoods, enhance basic services or address public safety are encouraged.  

  Application forms have been distributed to each of the designated neighborhood associations.  Additional copies are available through the City's website (www.eugene-or.gov/OlympicTrialsgrants<http://www.eugene-or.gov/OlympicTrialsgrants>) and at the Neighborhood Services Program office, 99 West 10th Avenue.  For additional information or to request an application be mailed to you contact Michael Kinnison, Planning and Development Department, Neighborhood Services, at 682-5009 or via e-mail (michael.j.kinnison at ci.eugene.or.us<mailto:michael.j.kinnison at ci.eugene.or.us>).

  I appreciate your questions regarding the service offer descriptions.  There is no need to apologize for repeating items covered at NLC.  I do, however, look forward to an opportunity to connect with the current River Road Co-Chairs. Each question you have raised involves a longer explanation, a dialogue perhaps. In this budget process, service offers are limited to 6 pages with only 3 pages available for text.  This format makes the descriptions difficult to comprehend because there is little room to elaborate.  Many questions about the budget process and neighborhood service offers were raised at NLC; I would encourage you to attend NLC and participate in the discussions held at the table and/or to bring these questions to an environment where we can talk about them.  Our office is only 50 feet away from yours, and you are always welcome.

  Sincerely, Isaac

  -----Original Message-----
  From: STEVE LINDA NORRIS [mailto:snlnorris at msn.com]
  Sent: Mon 2/4/2008 9:55 AM
  To: nlc at eugeneneighbors.org<mailto:nlc at eugeneneighbors.org>; MARKEHE Isaac R
  Subject: Re: [NLC] Neighborhood Services Budget

  Neighborhood Services BudgetCouple comments on the 'Service Offers' - with apologies if they've previously been discussed at NLC (as, I understand, the fact that there's an RFQ out there and other issues with the package were discussed).

  Isaac: would you please break down the current 2.15 FTE. What percentage do you, Michael, Michelle, Cindy and Toni represent currently? How long will 'loaned' personnel be in the program? 

  What are the "neighborhood-based Olympic Trial Mitigation Grants" and how do/will they benefit neighborhoods?

  There's no mention of NLC staffing as a long-standing service. Other long-standing services not mentioned are the 'liaison program' (previously with a different structure, but certainly 'staffing of general meetings and events' is/was a long-standing service), the 'Neighborhood Outreach Program' (staff has always helped facilitate events), the 'Neighborhood Revitalization Program' (is/was always part of ongoing support) and 'skill-building workshops' (again, ongoing support). Structures evolve but the services were there. A little misleading to capture them all as 'basic support ...' under "Long-standing services" and embellished under "New and Developing."

  Including an annual evaluation of the program by Neighborhood Leaders/associations would be a valuable addition to the "Performance Measures." 

  Thanks very much. Looking forward to following the budget process.
  SN, RRCO
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: MARKEHE Isaac R<mailto:isaac.r.markehe at ci.eugene.or.us<mailto:isaac.r.markehe at ci.eugeneor.us>> 
    To: nlc at eugeneneighbors.org<mailto:nlc at eugeneneighbors.org<mailto:nlc at eugeneneighbors.org<mailto:nlc at eugeneneighbors.org>> 
    Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 5:42 PM
    Subject: [NLC] Neighborhood Services Budget

    It's a busy day on the NLC list serve! 
    I am attaching a memo and two budget documents promised at the last NLC meeting.  

    Please contact me directly if you have any questions. 

    Sincerely, 
    <<NLC Neighborhood Budget Memo.pdf>> 
    Isaac Markehe 
    Neighborhood Services Program Manager 
    City of Eugene 
    99 W. 10th Avenue 
    Eugene, OR  97401 
    (541) 682-6243 
    isaac.r.markehe at ci.eugene.or.us<mailto:isaac.r.markehe at ci.eugene.or.us> 

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