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"biked" through the neighborhood at times and considered Crest Drive to be the least safe street on which to travel. Councilor Taylor thanked everyone for testifying. She acknowledged that the council could not interfere in bargaining, but echoed Councilor Bettman's request for information. Councilor Taylor complimented the lobbying efforts of ECFS. Councilor Taylor opined that the City should listen to the Crest Drive neighbors. She said if people do not want to designate their street to something else, it should not be so designated. She said, though testimony seemed to indicate otherwise, there were likely some neighbors in that area that could not afford to pay for future improvements. Councilor Kelly thanked everyone who took the time to come down and speak up. Regarding the Crest/Storey/Friendly street designation, he noted that the Mayor had spoken at a previous meeting about building bridges. He felt the City was doing exactly the opposite with this issue. He urged staff not to bring the street designation issue before the council until the City was closer to an agreement with the neighbors. Councilor Kelly said, regarding the discussion of vacancies in AFSCME positions, he was open to receiving the information during the budget cycle. He asked if there was data on comparable jurisdictions on how many positions were open during a budget cycle. Additionally, he wished to convey his objection to the suggestion that Councilor Bettman was trying to interfere with bargaining. Regarding the concerns expressed by the Crest Drive neighbors, Mayor Torrey said it was apparent the process had not reached a point where decisive action could occur. Mayor Torrey acknowledged the testimony of AFSCME representatives. He reiterated that the responsibility of negotiating the contracts was assigned to the City Manager. He believed the Union had supporters among the City Council and people who believe strongly that the council should do the best job for the taxpayers and the service provisions required by the City. He recognized that AFSCME workers did a good job. He said it was up to the City, its elected officials, and staff to provide the citizens of Eugene with the best product for the best price. And, he continued, it was the job of AFSCME employees to get the best benefits for themselves and their families. He stressed that he did not hold this against the employees, but held in high regard the responsibility of the challenge and task of City employees to attain these benefits. Mayor Torrey announced that the proclamation for "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" had been delivered to him. He read the proclamation into the record, which declared the month of October 2004, "Breast Cancer Awareness Month." 2. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of City Council Minutes - September 8, 2004, Process Session - September 22, 2004, Work Session B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 11, 2004 Page 5 Regular Session