11/20/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Ms. Dunn thanked the council for the position it has taken on the hospital bond issue. She said she was aware that this was a divisive issue. However, she said the Women's Commission feels the issue involves the basic civil rights of women and that the government should not be involved in the most intimate choices that women make about their lives and bodies. Ms. Dunn thanked the council for its unanimous approval for the recommenda- tions of the Lane County Task Force on Homelessness. She thanked the council for its support of legislation recommended by the commissions during the past year. She recommended the council lobby for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ms. Barnhart said that the human rights presidents feel that making it more difficult to get an initiative on the City ballot is a human rights violation. She said it is preferable to have the people, not the City Attorney, decide which issues get on the ballot. Mr. Kahle said that at a meeting of the Human Rights Task Force, Councilor Green recommended that human rights should be part of the goal setting session. He said the commissioners agree. He said the council's housing goal already addresses one social service goal. He suggested other possibilities could include any of the goals mentioned that evening. He said other goals might emphasize: promoting vital downtown multicultural activities, improving livability by promoting fair and just treatment of all citizens, and increasing physical and social accessibility. e Mr. Kahle repeated the values statement as described by the Human Rights Task Force: liThe City of Eugene values the dignity and worth of all human beings. We are committed to ensuring that human rights are a central part of every City program; respecting and reflecting cultural and individual diversity; fostering mutual understanding, and promoting inclusiveness, justice, and equity in order that everyone has the opportunity to share in the full benefits and responsibilities of living in Eugene." II. QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION In response to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Griffin said he had mentioned the "protected class" in reference to the fact that the Minorities Commission represents all minorities and all members of the protected classes. Mr. Rutan asked what proportion of minority people in the community are tied in some way to the University of Oregon. Mr. Griffin said he did not know. Mr. Rutan said that if a majority of minority people were involved at the University this should be reflected in the Minority Commission's work plan. Ms. Dunn pointed out that the Minorities Commission sponsored a forum on the uprising in Bejing, China, in the spring in conjunction with Chinese University students. Ms. Ehrman said the City Council had studied community demographics prior to its goal-setting session. She said this study had shown that there would be e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 20, 1989 Page 7 Dinner/Work Session ~