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<br /> Responding to a comment from Mayor Obie, Mr, Gleason said the Consumer Price <br /> Index does not equate well to the products the City buys. Important gauges <br />e are the number of employees and market wages. <br /> C, Ba 11 ot Results <br /> Mr. Wong distributed the results of the voting and the councilors reviewed <br /> them. The councilors then listed and voted on items they would like to <br /> discuss. <br /> D. Projects That Might Be Reduced or Eliminated <br /> Addition to the Human Rights Program--Mr. Mill er sa i d other staff members <br /> must address human rights issues and problems if the program is not staffed <br /> adequately, He said the public demands a human rights program and additional <br /> staff would help. Ms. Wooten said the existing support is not sufficient. <br /> Ms. Ehrman said the staff position is a difficult one and additional funds <br /> probably will not help. Ms. Bascom discussed a public meeting concerning the <br /> human rights programs and said people who attended wanted the current support <br /> continued with a good staff. She said the current support will be better if <br /> metropolitan commissions on the rights of youth and the aging are formed. <br /> Ms. Schue said she favors evaluating the present program before additional <br /> funds are approved. <br /> Visitors and Convention Bureau--Mr. Rutan said he would like to know the <br /> basis for additional support. Mr. Miller said it is prudent to increase funds <br /> to an organization that is producing revenue but he is not sure the increase <br /> should be $55,000, Mr. Rutan said the Economic Strategic Plan includes new <br />e roles for the bureau and the process for adopting the plan should be finished <br /> before funds for the bureau are increased. Mayor Obie said he would like <br /> statistics about how much more business $55,000 would produce. <br /> Eugene Celebration--Mr. Rutan said the Celebration is a unique, outstanding <br /> community event but the City should not be in the business of staffing it. <br /> Mayor Obie said the Celebration affects everyone in the community and people <br /> would be disappointed if it is cancelled. Ms, Ehrman said the Celebration is <br /> a cultural arts event and there must be some City involvement if it is held. <br /> Ms. Wooten said the Celebration was self-supporting this year because of <br /> earned income and corporate sponsorship. The City's $55,000 support this year <br /> was for City staff and services. Mr. Bennett said people who do not usually go <br /> downtown do so during the Celebration. Therefore, the Celebration helps to <br /> develop the downtown. Mr. Miller said he would like the Celebration to be <br /> self-supporting. <br /> Answeri ng a quest; on, Assistant City Manager Dave Whi t low sa i d the City <br /> contributed $35,000 in staff support and $20,000 for general support to the <br /> Celebration this year. An additional $60,000 is covered by revenues. <br /> Downtown Patrols--Mr, Bennett said downtown patrols create a sense of <br /> security for people who do not usually go downtown. Mr. Miller said downtown <br /> business owners should achieve common hours. He said funds for downtown <br /> patrols compete with funds which could be used to reduce response time for <br />e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 2, 1987 Page 3 <br />