11/09/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

" .. ~ foundat ion. Mr. Moreland said the foundation would continue to raise funds, but e would become quieter and meet every three to six months. He said a foundat ion executive committee would interface with staff and direct staff in the area of budget, but not in the area of policy. Ms. Borland said the foundation would raise the money needed, but would have no say in how the money is spent. Mr. Lindberg expressed his concerns about the forum providing representation from the full spectrum of public opinion in its consensus-building efforts. He said he was especially concerned about the unemployed and whether their views would be considered. Mr. Moreland said the representation occurred on the floor of the forum and people should be encouraged to come and speak. He sa i d those speaking or submitting written testimony should recognize they are speaking for the record, which would be widely distributed. He said the forums were designed to deal with an economic region, and not just a specific locality. He said individuals and neighborhood groups should also recognize they have a moral responsibility to come and be heard. In response to Ms. Smith's questions, Mr. Moreland said he hoped the foundation would complement the City's efforts in the area of economic diversification. He said the foundation's staff would help the less sop~listicated, as well as the more sophisticated areas of Lane County with economic development. He said staff would introduce businesses to the possibilities in small communities in the county. He said the competition is fierce, and to be successful in attracting the most desirable businesses and industries the area must have its act well put together. He said what the City of Eugene was doing under the council's direction was most gratifying. He said both the City and the founda- e tion needed to better understand the roles each was playing so they could complement each other and efforts would not be duplicated. He said that, if possible, the council and staff members should participate in the forum so the record would adequately reflect the opinions of the community. Ms. Miller said the public sector was not suited to nationwide recruitment and that could perhaps be accomplished better by the private sector. She sa id it was important, however, that the private sector, when it makes those con- tacts, provide a realistic description of the area. She said she liked the idea of a county-wide forum so there would not be competition between Junction City or Florence or even Roseburg. Ms. Mil~er and Ms. Wooten both asked how the forum could decide what is public consensus. Mr. Moreland said public consensus would be based on the findings of the economic audit, and also on the percep- tions of input at the forums. He said it was most likely that there would be a public hearing on any recommended strategies. He said the foundation would not dictate direction. He said the professional staff would prepare the work plan. Ms. Borland said that was one reason the professional consultants to be hired would be ones with proven ability in economic development. Ms. Schue sa id that wh il e the council shared the same goa"' s as the foundat i on, it did have some practical concerns about who would ma~e decisions. She said reaching a public consensus was not a simple task. She said her work as the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 9, 1981 Page 3