Laserfiche WebLink
conversation, although study circles and forums could be better opportunities to increase communication and <br />understanding than a council work session. <br /> <br />Ms. Piercy thought it was premature to identify champions until there was a strategic plan. Her priority was <br />to integrate thinking about race relations into everything the City did and not place it in a project-specific <br />silo. She believed that the people long to see the diversity in the community reflected in a building. She <br />observed that people often did not know how to react when confronted with inappropriate behavior and it <br />was important to put those tools out for the community to use. She said there was grant funding available <br />for community initiatives to improve race relations. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor said it was not necessary to build a cultural center; the City could make facilities like the <br />Bascom-Tykeson Room available to community groups free of charge. She preferred to build a youth center <br />open to all races and cultures. She also wanted to see greater recognition of Eugene's four sister cities. She <br />suggested that the council's ceremonial matters could be used to celebrate different cultures with dance and <br />music. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz appreciated the suggestion to make meeting rooms available to community groups. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman stated her support for the other priorities within the context of the strategic plan. She <br />reemphasized value of Eugene sponsoring the hate crimes conference, as it was an excellent way to reach <br />out to the broader community and continue dialogue and education. She had learned through her participa- <br />tion in the Portland conference about an educator who contracted with school districts to go into schools and <br />work with children while they were young to promote appropriate behaviors. She wanted to see the City <br />contract for that training on behalf of the school district. <br /> <br />Ms. Piercy said the district's response to a racial incident at North Eugene High School could possibly be <br />replicated at other schools. She said the youth action board regarded themselves as a diverse group and <br />wanted to be part of community cultural diversity activities, including a cultural center. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka said his interest in a cultural center was related to providing space and a forum, possibly in <br />City Hall, than building a new facility. He liked Ms. Taylor's suggestion to celebrate cultural diversity at <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 10, 2007 Page 6 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />