Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Ms. Solomon recognized the Oregon State University baseball team for its recent College World Series victory and said that she, along with 200 other Beaver fans, had welcomed the team home earlier that afternoon. Ms. Solomon noted the upcoming One-on-One event in her ward on June 26 and invited residents to attend. Ms. Solomon reported the Active Bethel Citizens neighborhood organization was being reactivated and would meet on June 27 at Petersen Barn. City Manager Taylor noted the upcoming countdown to the 2008 Olympic Trials at Fifth Street Public Market on June 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mr. Clark said he attended the recent Human Rights Commission (HRC) meeting and the commission welcomed Mary Otten as its newest commissioner. The chair of the Police Commission requested the HRC’s assistance in encouraging public input at the upcoming public forum. He said that some Police Commission members had felt somewhat insulted by the remarks of Human Rights Commissioners and were considering their options. Staff was working to mitigate the conflict. He anticipated further discussion. Mr. Clark said the HRC wished to convey its desire to the council that the City establish a homeless facility that was non-religious in nature. He indicated he was not sure he agreed with that position. Mr. Clark expressed appreciation to Mayor Piercy for her remarks at the recent river clean-up. He had enjoyed the time he spent in a boat with Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) Commissioner John Brown, and was astonished by the things pulled out of the river. There were dozens of campsites along the river. He asked if the City’s illegal camping ordinance was enforced on a complaint basis or if regular enforcement occurred. City Manager Taylor indicated enforcement was both complaint-based and occurred through active enforcement as the City regularly addressed illegal camping on the riverfront. The City responded to complaints working with a social service network to help find homeless people better places to live. Mr. Clark said he had spoken to Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken about the subject of illegal camping and its impact on the river, and they had discussed the potential of working cooperatively. He indicated he would request a work session on the issue. Mr. Clark thanked staff for its work on Water Safety Day. He said it was a great event. Mr. Zelenka said the MWMC settlement was fortunate because it cut the City’s losses, but unfortunate in another way in that it rewarded such lawsuits. He clarified, for the benefit of the public, there were no outflows going to Amazon Creek from the MWMC system as had been erroneously stated in some arenas, and suggested that was a reason the plaintiffs were ready to settle. Mr. Zelenka reported on a recent event of discrimination against a local African American Eugene family. He said it was unfortunate the community still contained such ignorant people and he wanted to make it clear it should not be tolerated in the community. He said it highlighted the importance of the council’s goal related to race. He hoped the council joined him in condemning that action. Ms. Ortiz thanked Mr. Zelenka for his remarks. Ms. Ortiz commended the Oregon State University baseball team for its College World Series victory. MINUTES—Eugene City Council June 25, 2007 Page 3 Work Session