06/18/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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In response to Mr. Ball's request for input, Councilor Obie said he should e remember that he would be the Mayor of the entire community and not just the business community. Councilor Wooten asked Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow to distribute copies of a New York Times article on Rhode Island presenting a comprehensive economic development program to the voters and the New York Times Book Review article on the national finance corporation. B. Boards/Commissions/Committee Councilor Wooten said she was feeling more estranged from the appointment pro- cess and that she wanted to expand the advertising and recruitment process to build up a file of interested citizens. Councilor Holmer stated that he shared the concern, stating that the council should study the present composition of the various boards and commissions to determine what type of representation was needed. Ms. Wooten said she did not support the staff recommendation of reducing the Downtown Commission to seven members. Mayor Keller said he did not care either way, stating that the City had made a significant effort in the area of citizen participation. He stressed that the council shoul d consider those people who have already applied for membership to boards and commissions, stating that those people would feel frustrated if positions were advertised. Councilor Hansen supported the Mayor's position and agreed with Mr. Holmer's suggestion to study the present composition of the boards and commi ss ions. He commented that vacancies should not be advertised if the council already had some hidden agenda on which it would base its decision. Councilor Wooten stated that the City would again be holding an open-house recruitment process during the Eugene Celebration. Councilor Ehrman stated e that the application form for boards and commissions should include the occupation of the applicant. Councilor Obie said the council must directly solicit qualified people to fill vacancies, stating that the Downtown Commission situation could have been avoided if the council had set criteria. Mayor Keller stated that there was no harm in the council having some diversity in its opinions on recruitment but that it may be difficult to change the recruitment ground rules. Mr. Hansen said the council must agree on the criteria to be used so that people will be aware of the agenda. In regard to the Downtown Commission, Ms. Wooten said that the commission had too much work for only seven people. Mayor Keller responded that the council only had seven members. Mr. Ball said the council had erred in the process of the last Downtown Commission appoint- ment; he said the council should agree to the number of finalists or to some other process. The council generally agreed that some process and criteria must be established. Mr. Holmer asked staff to provide the council with the present commission composition. Mayor Keller said the position to be vacated by David Filer will be advertised from July 1 through July 30. The council discussed possible criteria to be considered for the Downtown Commission vacancy. Mr. Hansen stressed that the council must be honest with the public. Mayor Keller, Mr. Ball, and Ms. Ehrman agreed that they would choose a woman for the vacancy if all other factors were equal. They said they would follow the council's affirmative action policy in striving for good community representation. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council J u n e 18, 1984 Page 4