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