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<br /> - ----~ <br /> e rights commissions, the commissions conduct most of their work independent of <br /> the council, particularly on those items arising that are not reflected in <br /> the work plan. Ms. Ehrman felt that the council should not be held directly <br /> responsible for the actions of those commissions. <br /> Mr. Boles agreed and said that he anticipates that if the proposed <br /> restructure is implemented, the council will sign off on the Human Rights <br /> Commission work plan at the beginning of each year and maintain a closer link <br /> by assigning the Mayor or a councilor to serve on the commission. <br /> Mr. Rutan pointed out that with some issues, the commission may benefit from <br /> City Council input or endorsement and asked how this might be monitored. <br /> Mr. Holmer pointed out that one important function of the Human Rights <br /> Program is to educate the larger community on human rights issues. He noted <br /> that in the proposed model, recruitment of commission members would be <br /> limited to those persons who have "actively demonstrated interest and <br /> expertise in efforts to eliminate injustices related to discrimination.1I He <br /> felt that the commission should include a broader range of people who more <br /> generally represent the public interest. <br /> Mr. Peter pointed out that one justification for choosing people who have a <br /> demonstrated interest in human rights issues is to ensure that those involved <br /> will have a genuine knowledge of the issues, thus reducing the amount of time <br /> required to bring members up to speed. <br /> e Mr. Bennett echoed Mr. Holmer's concern regarding the importance of selling <br /> the community on the importance of human rights issues. He warned that by <br /> severely restricting the types of people who are allowed to serve on the <br /> commission, the commission runs the risk of not developing communitywide <br /> support for human rights issues. <br /> Ms. Oliver said that the commission composition was not intended to be as <br /> narrow as inferred from the definition. She explained that commission <br /> members should have an active concern in Eugene and be willing to become <br /> involved in human rights issues beyond their current scope. <br /> Addressing Mr. Rutan's concern, Mr. Boles pointed out that either the Mayor <br /> or a councilor will be appointed to the commission. It wi 11 be thei r <br /> responsibility to flag for the full council any areas of particular concern. <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Holmer said that the breadth of <br /> representation on the committee could be achieved during member appointment <br /> by the City Council. <br /> Addressing Mr. Holmer's concern, Ms. Ehrman suggested the possibility of <br /> having a Citizen Involvement Committee (CIC) representative on the <br /> commission. <br /> Mr. Boles questioned whether the council is interested in continuing City <br /> Council appointment of the Human Rights Program members. Mayor Miller <br /> e pointed out that the task force felt it important for the council to continue <br /> to appoint commission members in order to ensure that the council has <br /> ownership of Human Rights Program membership. <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 8, 1990 Page 3 <br />