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to be there and were excited to teach. She enjoyed the more recent text books to be found in her school, and <br />her participation in and opportunity to travel to competitions with the speech and debate team. Ms. Jones <br />said the community's support for the high schools was phenomenal. She thanked the council for its support <br />of youth in Eugene. <br /> <br />Mr. Evans reported that students in the leadership class at Sheldon High School each pledged five hours of <br />community service to United Way. He said that students at his school were also very excited and happy <br />about the new youth sports parks and looked forward to their construction. <br /> <br />Zak Zerzan from Marist High School reminded the council of his previous report on the poor condition of the <br />intersection of Goodpasture Island and Kingsley roads. He said that growth in the area has had a <br />considerable impact on the intersection and it was no longer adequate to support the traffic that goes through <br />it. Students traveling through the area to reach Marist High School were at risk. Mr. Zerzan said that he had <br />requested a traffic signal at the intersection, and the City indicated to him one would be installed, but that had <br />not yet occurred. He requested the council's assistance in getting the traffic signal installed soon. <br /> <br />Shane Skyler and Josh Jordan of New Roads joined the council. Mr. Skyler discussed heroin use near his <br />school, which was located at 7th Avenue and Van Buren Street. He said that students found dirty syringes <br />near the school and in nearby parks, and did not feel safe. Mr. Skyler requested the council's help in reducing <br />heroin use near the school. Mr. Jordan said that many students at New Roads were training for jobs but many <br />were not old enough to legally work, and they wanted to work. Mr. Skyler agreed, and suggested that there <br />could be City work that young New Roads students could do during the summer. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson asked if Public Works responded to calls regarding dirty syringes in the right-of-way and in <br />parks. City Manager Jim Johnson said that Public Works staff were trained to clean up such materials safely <br />in the parks, and should be contacted when such items are found. Citizens with questions should contact <br />Parks Maintenance staff for information on the disposal of needles. City staff would not respond to calls <br />regarding syringes on private party. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Nathanson regarding the traffic signal discussed by Mr. Zerzan, Mr. <br />Johnson said that he would check on the timing of installation with Public Works staff. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly thanked the student leaders for their attendance. He said it was always a positive experience. <br />Regarding Ms. Jones' remarks, Mr. Kelly said that the council was not the governing body for the school <br />districts, and he suggested the youth leadership visit the two local districts and encourage a similar forum <br />before the boards. <br /> <br />Regarding the suggestion that the City provide work for youth during the summer, Mr. Kelly said the idea <br />was intriguing and asked the manager to consider if there could be some sort of summer school opportunity <br />with a work component. He suggested staff consult with Northwest Youth Corps on the legal issues related <br />to youth employment. Mr. Johnson agreed. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly wished the North Eugene High School representatives well in their voter registration drive. <br /> <br />Regarding the requests for traffic signals, Mr. Rayor said that the City was attempting to manage a large <br />transportation system with ever-increasing demands, and part of that effort was encouraging people to use <br />alternate modes of transportation. He said that the City lacked money to quickly facilitate the passage of all <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 23, 2000 Page 2 <br />Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />