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Bruce Miller, PO Box 50968, conveyed his displeasure with the Downtown Eugene, Incorporated (DEI). <br /> <br />Mr. Miller announced that Lane Community College had scheduled a candidates' forum for October 21 and <br />that the Lane County Democrats were also meeting that day. He noted that The Oregonian had endorsed <br />John Kerry for President and The Register-Guard had endorsed Don Hampton for County Commissioner. <br /> <br />Mr. Miller called attention to the map that was at the election board. He thought the map did "a horrible <br />job" of designating the boundaries of State representatives and senators. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey closed the Public Forum and called for council comments. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman thanked everyone for their testimony. She commended the Eugene Citizens for Housing <br />Standards (ECFH) for their vigilance and for their articulate testimony. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman agreed with the Crest Drive neighbors that the meeting was confusing and difficult. She <br />asked for draft language for an amendment to designate the streets as local and not collectors as the council <br />would be considering street designations soon. <br /> <br />City Manager Dennis Taylor said he would work with City Attorney Glenn Klein to craft the intended <br />motion for her. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman apologized to AFSCME members for having to work without a contract since June. She <br />surmised that the sense of insecurity and unpredictability must have an impact on their daily lives. She <br />stated that the council was forbidden from interfering with bargaining. However, she acknowledged that <br />AFSCME members had brought up an interesting issue and asked City Manager Taylor to speak to it. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor said that mediation was set for Wednesday, October 13, and he believed the two <br />bargaining teams would agree to a fair contract. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman asked City Manager Taylor to speak to the allegation that significant sums of money <br />were being budgeted for unfilled positions. City Manager Taylor said he was not prepared to provide an <br />analysis of vacancy savings at the present time. He did not think such an analysis could be completed within <br />the time that a council assignment was limited to. He suggested that the item be brought for consideration <br />during the Budget Committee process. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman asked if there was validity to the claim that there were 100 unfilled positions, budgeted <br />at $6 million. City Manager Taylor responded that the City bargained at the bargaining table and not <br />through the newspaper, rallies, or City Council meetings. He thought Councilor Bettman was trying to get <br />into the bargaining process by asking the budget question. He did not feel he could gather the information <br />prior to the mediation meeting with AFSCME. Councilor Bettman suggested he provide the information on <br />vacancy savings after the mediation meeting. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap~ thanked everyone for coming down and speaking. He asked staff to provide the percentage <br />of benefits in relation to the actual wage of employees. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap~ commended the work of the Crest Drive neighbors in lobbying for the street designation. He <br />felt some form of consistency was needed and wanted to know if other neighborhoods were exempt from <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 11, 2004 Page 4 <br /> Regular Session <br /> <br /> <br />