Laserfiche WebLink
months when people were waiting for meetings in the cold. She acknowledged the staffing issue, but wanted <br />a more open door policy as a “nice gesture” to the community when it came to talk to the council. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor indicated that there was a staffing issue given that the same staff was involved in both <br />the work session and regular meeting, but he would look into opening the door earlier. Regarding an added <br />night meeting, he indicated he would follow-up and suggested it might take four months to get everyone used <br />to the new system so the council had some experience with it prior to the next process session in September. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy believed the public forum was very important and noted that often, important issues such as <br />the Golden Gardens Park situation were raised by the public. <br /> <br />Ms. Shepard summarized the discussion, determining from the council that it would implement the new <br />system as soon as staff had an opportunity to discuss the proposal and give the council feedback on its <br />implementation. <br /> <br />Mr. Pryor determined from the council that while those speaking in the public forum would get three <br />minutes to speak, the item would still be time-limited. He was willing to let it be an issue of judgment on a <br />case-by-case basis. <br /> <br />Speaking to the suggestion for an added meeting, Ms. Solomon said the council needed to recognize that <br />there were months that the council would be on break. <br /> <br />The council agreed to cut off the deadline for signing up to speak in the public forum at 7:35 p.m. <br /> <br />Responding to a question regarding follow-up from Mr. Papé, City Manager Taylor indicated he heard no <br />sentiment for initiating an electronic sign-up. <br /> <br />Ms. Rose noted that the suggested changes would require amendments to the operating agreements to <br />implement and the council would be asked to approve those via resolution at a future meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Pryor reiterated his question about whether the public forum was established for a time certain or if it <br />would continue until all who signed up spoke. Ms. Bettman suggested the 30-minute time limit be rescinded <br />given the discussion. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor agreed the 30-minute limit should be dropped. She pointed out that not all speakers would take <br />the full three minutes allotted to them. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor pointed out that a determined group of people could “game the system” and postpone <br />council action on items by signing up for the public forum in such numbers that other items were pushed off. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz suggested that the agenda be printed on large print format and placed on a reader board to inform <br />the public. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly believed that many people were confused as to what was occurring at the council and suggested a <br />reader board or magnetic board could be employed to explain the meeting agenda and format. He endorsed <br />Ms. Ortiz’s suggestion. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 17, 2006 Page 6 <br /> Process Session <br /> <br />