02/14/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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..... e J..S I C. Code Amendment, EWEB Directors' Terms At the time the new Code was drafted terms of EWEB directors were contemplated at six years, but decision was made to reduce the terms to four years. As a result, terms of encumbent directors would be shorter than the term for which they were elected. Copies of a Code amendment were previously distributed to Council mem- bers which would correct that si tuation and allow present Board members to serve out their elected terms. e Mrs. Beal expressed concern that the amendment would permi t present directors to serve more than the term for whi ch they were elected and more than the term set in the new regulations, and that it is removing the power of the people to elect. She commented on cri ticism of the Board when a member is appointed to fill an unexpired two- or three-month term in order to run as an encumbent when it is known a director does not intend to run for re-electi on. Considerab~e discussion followed between Council members, Mr. Tiffany, chairman of EWEB, and the Manager in clarification of the amendment and its intent - not of extending terms of present members, but to permit their serving for the term elected. I Mr. Williams questioned having four directors from wards and one director elected at large, whether the director-at-large has any significant pri vi leges ; he is concerned because cost of running for the at-large seat would be different than for the other four seats. Mr. Tiffany said the Board likes the ~ard situation since each director has a smaller constituency and feels he can better represent the smaller area; he granted the director holding the at-large position would encounter different problems, but the Board has not discussed any change in that situation. Mrs. Beal said a public hearing on the amendment under consideration would probably be in order, and it was understood the amendment would come to the Council at its February l4"l972 meeting as an ordinance and in that sense wil~ constitute a public hearing. Comm 2/9/72 Pub Hrng Council Bill No. ,9584 - Amending Code re: Terms of EWEB Directors was submitted and read the first time by council bill number and title only, there being no counciiliman present request- ing it be read in full. Mr. Mohr moved seconded by Mrs. Beal that the council bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consetllo of the Council ,and'~:!1a~: enactment be considered at this time. Mr. Faye Bennett urged passage of the amendment citing the experience of the Board and its reputation for efficient operation, and allowing the present members to serve out the terms for which they were elected. I Mrs. Marian Frank, League of Women Voters, read a statement recommending !hat vacan- cies on the Eugene Water & Electric Board be filled by Council appo'di~tme~t-: .... . - /. -"..... e Upon question from Councilmen Teague and He~shner, Manager said'the amendment will allow present members to continue for the terms for which they were elected. He said that prior to adoption of the new Code members were elected for five-year terms'but actually served, s,ix or until the time of the next election. The amendment changes the terms to four years, but allows the encumbents whose terms wailild expire before the term for which they were elected (Tiffany and Freeman) to continue for the full term. After that time all members electEld will serve four years. Councilman Mohr said that these two members, Tiffany and Freeman , without the adoption of the amendment, would have to stand for re-election before their terms for which they were' originally elected were ended., Mrs. Campbell moved seconded by Mrs. Beal to amend Council Bill No. 9584 by Changing the word "Board" in Paragraph, 5 to I' Ci ty Council." Mayor Anderson explained that the amendment would change the ordinance to read that the City Council may fill vacancies on EWEB; it now reads that the Board itself may fill such vacancies. I Mr. Bennett questioned meaning of the amendment and Mayor Anderson again explained, upon which Mr. Bennett commented that if the Board is going to run its own affairs the Board should have the authority to fill its own vacancies. He said its just as consistent to say vacancies on the Council should be filled by Board members. Trygve Vik, 1675 Firland Boulevard, commented that the amendment would make a major and far-reaching change, and that if it is to be acted upon at this time he would request postponement of final action and referral to the Water Board. e Dave VanFossen, 1910 Woodlawn, asked for Charter research before action is taken. He said he ,doesn't believe the Council has the right to amend in this fashion since he be- lieves the Charter stipulates how Board vacancies are to be filled. 2/14/72 - 3 "oj