Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Ms. Ortiz recalled that she had requested the sunset provision initially but now had no problem opposing the motion because she did not think there was much backlash from the two-cent increase. She had considered it an incremental step in the right direction. The tax did not bankrupt anyone. She felt that retaining the two-cent increase was a good idea and said if the council repealed the tax it would be taking a step backward. Mr. Zelenka also did not support the motion and agreed with Ms. Ortiz’s remarks. He assured the viewing public that every penny of the gas tax was going to fix pot holes. It was not being used for other purposes. City Manager pro tem Angel Jones concurred. Mr. Pryor suggested that the council take the opportunity to ask the voters about their support for the two- cent increase given that the issue was already going to a vote. He thought it demonstrated good faith with the public. Mr. Pryor said there were other things he wanted to ask the public to fund, and he did not want the gas tax to become a contentious issue that threatened the other elements of the funding package. He had faith that the voters would support both increases because of their interest in having the streets fixed. He supported the amendment. Mr. Clark agreed with Mr. Pryor. He offered the motion because he thought the voters wanted to fix the problem and he wanted to give the voters their say. Mayor Piercy did not support the motion because of the lack of objection to the initial two-cent increase and because those who signed the petitions were not specifically asked their support of that increase. She suggested that the council “shared a role” with the public in regard to deciding such issues through its role as elected representatives of the people. Mayor Piercy said the City did not need to roll back the two-cent increase. The vote on the amendment was a 4:4 tie; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, Ms. Ortiz, and Mr. Zelenka voting no; Mr. Poling, Ms. Solomon, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Pryor voting yes. Mayor Piercy cast a vote in opposition to the motion and it failed on a final vote of 5:4. The vote on the motion was 6:2; Mr. Pryor and Mr. Clark voting no. Mr. Poling indicated his vote of opposition was due to his belief the voters should decide on both increases. C. ACTION: Approval of Motions Relating to Production of a Voter’s Pamphlet for the November 6, 2007, Special Election City Recorder Mary Feldman was present for the item. She called attention to the proposed motions related to the item. She said the deadline for arguments was September 15, so the council needed to take action today, given it was going on recess. Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to direct the City Manager to publish and dis- tribute a local voter’s pamphlet for the special City election scheduled for November 6, 2007, on a measure concerning a motor vehicle fuel dealers’ tax. MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 15, 2007 Page 5 Work Session