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<br />e <br /> <br />Mr. Bennett said that as past tradition dictates, the State of the City <br />Address is an opportunity for the Mayor alone to speak, but agreed that the <br />expression of council viewpoints through a publication would be favorable. <br />Mr. Boles said that he would be willing to express his opinion on the state <br />of the City in a written format; the opportunity to express this opinion is <br />especially important if the Mayor is planning to address the City's visions <br />for the future. <br /> <br />Mr. Holmer expressed concern with the expense of civic events such as the <br />State of the City Address and with the tendency of such events to exclude <br />citizens from attending. He said that City Hall is a more appropriate place <br />to hold this address. Ms. Schue also recommended that a less formal function <br />be offered at no charge, so that people are not excluded from attending. <br /> <br />Ms. Bascom said that public response to the last State of the City address <br />was positive, and felt that the address should continue as it has been in the <br />past. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller pointed out that differences in the State of the City address from <br />year to year reflect different needs. This ceremonial function provides the <br />City with an opportunity to express its appreciation to board and commission <br />members for their hard work and effort. <br /> <br />The council discussed the concept of holding this address in other locations, <br />such as the lobby of the Hult Center, but did not reach agreement on a single <br />best location or time. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />K. Mayor/Council Goals <br /> <br />Ms. Schue expressed concern that staff time has been used in the past to <br />research projects which, while they may have been of interest to individual <br />councilors, were not deemed important by the entire council. She said that <br />because funds in the budget are limited, staff time and work should be <br />focused on achieving more prominent council goals. Ms. Bascom agreed that if <br />the council is to use its time effectively, it needs to have a united <br />agreement on issues which will be discussed. <br /> <br />Mr. Rutan pointed out that because the Mayor is an elected official he should <br />be able to assume a leadership position on the council in deciding what <br />issues will be discussed. Mr. Holmer agreed that the Mayor is entitled to <br />demonstrate leadership, but said that the City Manager should decide whether <br />staff effort should be invested in something that will require council <br />action. <br /> <br />Mr. Green emphasized the importance of council cohesiveness in working toward <br />achieving council goals. Processes undertaken in council work sessions <br />should be directly applicable to primary council goals. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />The council discussed what procedures have been used by councilors in the <br />past to determine the degree of council interest on a particular issue, and <br />decided that in the future, council members should make efforts to ensure <br />council interest before directing staff to proceed with research. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br />Quarterly Process Session <br /> <br />February 26, 1990 <br /> <br />Page 5 <br />