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stated with difficult economic times ahead it is uncertain whether extra services can be afforded <br />and Council should be having this discussion in context with other service provisions needed in <br />the total budget. <br />• Mayor Vinis - recognized how fundamental the library and the services it provides are to helping <br />individuals, families and the community sustain and recover in this time; stated these are <br />essential services, not extras, and it is unfortunate they fall outside of general fund resources. <br />• Councilor Semple - stated she was opposed to the levy four years ago because library services <br />are essential and should be funded by the general fund; stated she is concerned about finances <br />and the recovery that is coming; suggested forgoing a levy for a year. <br />• Councilor Pryor - stated council needs to address that it cannot link the money it has to spend <br />with priorities it has set; Council is reluctant as a body to set priorities, so consequently <br />everything is a priority even though it can't afford it; stated good business is linking money <br />spent to the priorities established and Council has a hard time doing that; suggested Council <br />schedule a planning session to determine priorities. <br />• Councilor Clark - stated his agreement with Councilor Pryor; stated he believes library services <br />are critical, however, the levy was brought forward to fund extra services that might not be <br />affordable compared with with other priorities the City has. <br />• Councilor Syrett - stated it is frustrating not to be able to fund what feel like basic services from <br />the general fund; stated she would like to see branch library hours funded as the branches are <br />not extra but part of the main system; stated Option 1 makes the most sense and a process <br />session is not needed before considering that question. <br />• Councilor Yeh - stated her preference would be to go with Option 1, and with economic <br />uncertainties ahead does not feel that anything more is appropriate; stated she also sees the <br />branch libraries as part of the library system and not separate. <br />• Councilor Zelenka - stated he was leaning toward Option 2 but could also support Option 1. <br />Councilor Taylor - stated she was in favor of Option 1 and that for a time in the past the Library <br />was fully funded by the general fund; stated she would like to see branch libraries in more parts <br />of the City; asked when the Library would re -open. <br />Councilor Clark - stated Council needs to have a more robust conversation before agreeing to <br />put something on the November ballot. <br />• Mayor Vinis - stated there is a team in the City looking at economic recovery overall and library <br />services are presumably part of that; suggested it might help Council to have a sense of that <br />recovery framework and how library services fits into it. <br />The meeting adjourned at 1:39 p.m. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />,6 W <br />Beth Forrest <br />City Recorder <br />(Recorded by Jessica Gebb) <br />Link to the webcast of this City Council meeting here. <br />MINUTES - Eugene City Council June 10, 2020 Page 3 <br />Work Session <br />