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Ms. Nathanson expressed trust in the council process and said she often refers contacts to a council liaison, committee, or point person. III. COUNCIL GROUND RULES A. Review Council Ground Rules and Operational Issues Mr. Pap~ wondered why council ground rules were necessary. Several councilors expressed support for the rules, saying they were very helpful and deciding they should be called "operational" instead of ground rules. There was agreement that some rules are more important than others and they should be reviewed every two years and tailored for the specific council at the time. The council reviewed each ground rule individually and suggested the following changes. I. Meeting Requirements Work Sessions. The second sentence was changed to read: "Other work sessions may be held on the second, third, fourth, and fifth Wednesday of the month." There was no decision on changing the time to 5:3 0 p.m., although the majority was amenable, with Ms. Taylor and Mr. Meisner opposed. Ms. Taylor felt strongly that changing the meeting time precluded participation and/or observation by people who could not go out after dark and those who chose to spend evening time at home with their children. Mr. Meisner urged the council to consider that many in the community set their schedules around the council's meeting schedule. Mayor Torrey said the meeting duration must be held to two hours even if the time of the meeting is changed. Mr. Kelly suggested that any changes in the meeting time be effective in April. The issue of voting at meetings held outside the city limits was raised and those votes will be considered on an ad hoc basis. Notice of Meetings, Special Meetings, Emergency Meetings. Mayor Torrey asked that votes during work sessions be taken only on items that have been listed in public notices as "action items." The council did not make a formal decision on votes at work sessions but agreed that votes informing/directing staff were appropriate. Staff was asked to clarify that the mayor and/or the city manager or three councilors may request a special meeting of the council. Public Forum. The council voted on the following changes as follows: No time limit on overall forum--1:8; Ms. Taylor in favor. Set the public speaker time limit at three minutes, regardless of the number of people wishing to speak--3:6; councilors Kelly, Pap~, and Taylor in favor. Should there be a council response period at the end of the forum--8:1; Mr. Rayor opposed. Minutes--Eugene City Council February 6, 1999 Page 2 9:30 a.m.