CC MInutes - 02/10/03 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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C. Proclamation -"Stop, Drop, and Read" Program Mayor Torrey proclaimed Monday, March 3, 2003, as National Read Across America Day, and encouraged community members to stop on March 3 at 10 a.m. and sit and read to a child. He added that, although he would be in Washington, DC, on that day, he was committed to participate there at 10 a.m. II.PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Torrey noted that there were more people signed up to speak than the time allotted allowed for. Councilor PapS, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to increase the time of the public forum to a maximum of 45 minutes. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 6:1; Councilor Solomon voting in opposition. Terry Connolly, 1401 Willamette Street, spoke regarding the Downtown Vision options. He said the Chamber of Commerce agreed with the staff recommendations and requested that the City Manager be asked to initiate the necessary processes to extend the life of the Riverfront Urban Renewal District. Henry Luvert, 2036 Shasta Loop, thanked the council for considering a proposal to change the name of Centennial Drive to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. He said the change was not a liberal move by the City. He said it was about honoring a man that had changed things in all of our lives. He stressed the importance of educating children on what Dr. King had achieved. Jim Hill, 1388 Barrington Avenue, spoke in favor of renaming Centennial Boulevard in honor of Dr. King. He said there were occasional opportunities to make significant changes at little or no cost. He stressed the importance of the issue and said it was an opportunity to partner with the City of Springfield in a positive way. He urged the council to move forward with the renaming. Marilyn Mays, 1081 North Pond Road, spoke as the President of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She said the local chapter had already submitted a letter of support for renaming Centennial Boulevard and the idea had her full support. She read a letter submitted by Carmen Urbina and the staff of the Centro Latino Americano supporting the renaming. Sandy Tyndall spoke in support of renaming Centennial Boulevard in honor of Dr. King. Arbrela Luvert, South Shasta Loop, spoke in support of renaming Centennial Boulevard in honor of Dr. King. She urged the council to take a stand for tolerance by renaming the street. She said the renaming would have a long lasting impact in teaching tolerance and hope. Kimberly Buckmaster, 305 Blair Boulevard, said she had trouble with a landlord and had not been successful in getting any City staff to inspect her rental housing. She expressed a hope that the City would do an inspection. MINUTES-Eugene City Council February 10, 2003 Page 2 Regular Meeting