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<br />e <br /> <br />items that other councilors have not had an opportunity to hear about before- <br />hand. <br /> <br />Mr. Boles suggested that council set aside three minutes for each councilor <br />to raise issues. This would force each person to choose only those items of <br />greatest importance and to have discipline during discussion. <br /> <br />Mr. MacDonald pointed out that the number of agenda items each councilor <br />needs to raise becomes particularly unwieldy when several Wednesday work <br />sessions have been cancelled in a row. This is the only forum for councilors <br />to raise these important issues. <br /> <br />Mr. Robinette said that some items brought to the council are very important <br />and require more than three minutes for discussion. He recommended that the <br />council set an overall time limit on this agenda item and that each councilor <br />be allowed to present one agenda item at a time around the table, to ensure <br />that each councilor has the opportunity to raise an issue. <br /> <br />Mayor Miller observed that some of the items which are brought up at this <br />time could be more easily discussed one-on-one with City staff, rather than <br />seeking clarification during council meetings. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />After discussion, the council agreed on the need to have more discipline in <br />selecting items to come before the council. It also agreed to set a <br />30-minute maximum time limit for the items from the City Council, Mayor, and <br />City Manager, and a 3-minute per person time limit. The council agreed to <br />try this process until the next process session and then modify it, if neces- <br />sary. <br /> <br />B. Who Do We Represent When We Speak to the Media? <br /> <br />Mr. Nicholson said that when a member of the council takes a position on an <br />issue that does not represent the position taken by the full council, it <br />should be made clear that the position taken is not the position of the full <br />council. He said that instances have arisen recently when it has not been <br />clear whether councilors were speaking on their own behalf or on behalf of <br />the City Council. <br /> <br />Mr. Rutan emphasized that the council should not use the media to debate an <br />issue. Mr. Green agreed and said that when an individual councilor has a <br />concern with a statement made by another councilor, he or she should talk <br />directly to that person to eliminate potential misunderstanding. <br /> <br />Ms. Ehrman noted that the council has a ground rule which indicates that all <br />written material submitted to the press should first be submitted to the City <br />Council. <br /> <br />Mr. Nicholson voiced concern that sometimes the position taken by City staff <br />on an issue is not neutral. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br />Quarterly Process Session <br /> <br />June 5, 1991 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br />