Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Ms. Bettman agreed with Mr. Pryor about the word count. She said if there was still room on the page after it contained 325 words, staff could determine how many more words would reasonably fit in and still be readable. Ms. Bettman said she did not think the council should have the discretion to not produce a voters’ pamphlet in conjunction with City elections. In situations where there were just EWEB candidates on the ballot, she asked if there was a way to require voters’ pamphlets for such elections. Ms. Feldman said yes, if the council was willing to spend the money. Ms. Bettman thought that it was important to have pamphlets for such races given how disengaged people were and how important such races were. She indicated she would give the issue some thought. Ms. Feldman asked if Ms. Betttman’s focus was on contested races. Ms. Bettman said yes. Ms. Feldman clarified that the City did not have discretion to not have a voter’s pamphlet when it had a measure on the ballot; the City only had discretion when there was an election with no City measures. Only candidates in municipalities of 50,000 or greater could participate in the State voter’s pamphlet and special districts were not included. Ms. Bettman asked if there was a way to require a voters’ pamphlet for such elections. Ms. Feldman said yes, if the council wanted to pay for the pamphlets. Ms. Bettman supported voters’ pamphlets for such things as Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) commissioners’ races and indicated she would be considering text to that effect. Speaking to Section 2.994, Ms. Bettman suggested that the “ballot title” be defined in the glossary because it was news to her that the ballot title included the question, the summary, and the caption. She suggested those terms should be defined in the glossary as well. Referring to Section 2.996, Ms. Bettman asked if staff was proposing to change 54 days to 56 days for the deadline. Ms. Feldman said that 54 days appeared to be “taken out of the air.” Fifty-six days constituted eight weeks, and it was easier to think in terms of weeks and easier to reference. Mr. Zelenka asked how much it would cost to send a voters’ pamphlet for EWEB races to all residents in the case of a contested at-large commission seat. Ms. Feldman indicated she would have to calculate that cost. Mr. Zelenka asked if EWEB could underwrite the cost. Ms. Feldman said the school districts pay their per-page cost on a voluntary basis. She said that option could also be suggested to EWEB. Mr. Zelenka thought that made sense. He said that EWEB could make that choice, and he did not think the City should have to pay for it. Referring to Section 2.996, Ms. Bettman recommended the addition of a provision that proscribed how the City accepted arguments for inclusion in the voters’ pamphlet in terms of their order of appearance. Ms. Bettman referred to Section 2.997 and asked for a provision that stated the City voters’ pamphlet would be mailed no later than the day the ballots were mailed. Ms. Feldman noted that the ballots were mailed thth between the 18 and 14 day before the election. Ms. Bettman wanted similar text. Ms. Feldman said the City might want to look at the deadlines for submitting materials and candidate’s statements as well. Ms. Bettman did not think it made sense for people to be able to vote before they had received the pamphlet. Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 11, 2008 Page 10 Work Session