Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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tax by two cents, and to refer a three-cent increase to the voters. Mr. Tyree said both increases were mandated to be voted on, and by taking the action contemplated, the council was dismissing the democratic process. He said that was “political arrogance in action” which damaged the integrity of the democratic process in Eugene. He was embarrassed the leaders of his community would consider such an action, and expressed concurrence with a recent editorial in The Register Guard that the council action would shift from the public debate from one of the merits of the tax to the credibility of the council. He assured the council he would work to refer the two-cent tax as well. Paul Romain , 707 SW Washington Street, #927, Portland, agreed with the remarks of Mr. Tyree. He said the council made an interesting political move during its last discussion but he questioned whether it was well thought-out as essentially it meant the two-cent increase would go to the ballot in March 2008. He did not think that was a good approach, and recommended that the entire increase be placed on the ballot. All the council was doing by its action was ensuring that two elections would occur, which he termed a waste of money. Terry Connelly , 1401 Willamette Street, representing the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, recom- mended that the council repeal Ordinance 20384, pertaining to a local gas tax, and further recommended the council take no further action on the tax at this time and focus on other funding methods, such as a capital local option levy. He acknowledged the desire of some councilors for a complete transportation funding package but suggested the council think about the sequencing of such a package. The chamber preferred that the council begin where there was the most common ground and potential for collaboration, which was the capital local option levy. Mr. Connelly suggested that such a levy would enjoy greater support if it was discussed without a lingering debate about the gas tax or enactment of other fees. He suggested that alternatively, the council refer the entire five-cent increase to the voters. Mayor Piercy closed the public hearing and invited questions and comments from the council. Ms. Bettman believed the gas tax was the revenue source with the most support among councilors. She also thought the council supported a capital levy, but pointed out that only revenue could only be collected from residents, while a gas tax would capture the impact of nonresidents. Ms. Ortiz believed the council was only asking for a “few measily pennies” and took exception to sugges- tions that the council was not acting with integrity. She found that “very offensive” and she personally believed her integrity was high and that she worked really hard and did not appreciate such “personal attacks.” Mr. Clark noted his focus on street repair when running for office, which he considered a chief job for local government. He also generally supported a gas tax increase as he thought there was a logical nexus that existed and that it was important to capture the cost of the nonresident users of the road. While he also took exception with the characterization of the council’s action, after reading The Register-Guard editorial he believed the voters should be given an opportunity to vote on the two-cent increase as well. He believed to do otherwise was to create voter cynicism that might threaten other council goals and objectives. He did not want to erode the voters’ public confidence in the council. Mr. Zelenka accused the oil industry of profiteering from the war and noted that the gas tax had not been increased by the State since 1978. He said that the community had been “abandoned” by both the State and federal governments with regard to funding for street maintenance. The money kept decreasing while the need continued to increase, which was not acceptable “to a lot of people I talk to.” Subsequently, the council created a funding package that included a gas tax increase. He favored the gas tax because of the MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 15, 2007 Page 2 Work Session