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Steve Johnson, 1825 Longview Drive, stated that he was a member of the Toxics Board. He urged adoption of the unanimously approved recommendation before the council. He commented that, when moving forward with the law, it was not thought that it would solve all problems with toxins in Eugene. He felt the time had come to make a proposal for a way to improve the law. He indicated, with a chart, that expanding the businesses required to report to those with less than ten employees, noting that businesses such as dry cleaning and auto body paint shops put toxic materials into the environment. He asserted this would add to the base of people to support the program. He added that the program had reached a point wherein the facilitation of reporting had greatly improved. Bob O' Brien, 3525 Gilham Road, made the following points: 1) Many people worked a great deal to gather the signatures needed to put the Toxics Right- To-Know law on the ballot. He noted he had participated in the petition drive. The law was very important to a lot of people. 2) He urged the council to keep the fees the way they are in the proposal. He commented that the board was a balanced body and had come forth with a good proposal. 3) He thanked the City Council for upholding the City Charter. He thanked Mayor Torrey for upholding the law supported by the citizens of Eugene. He noted the City had sent its lobbyist to Salem to lobby on behalf of the law. In closing, he urged the council to support the recommendation for the increase in hazardous substance user fees for 2004. David Monk, 3720 Emerald Street, speaking as the third citizen representative on the Toxics Board, stressed that the ordinance had been passed by a 55 percent majority. He averred that the voters clearly understood that ~ignorance was toxic." He opined that the funding challenges faced by the Toxics Right-To-Know law were a direct result of business owners' opposition to democracy. He commented that the city councilors represented people impacted by industry. He likened the decision before the council as that of being for the ~protection the health of our youngest and most vulnerable citizens" or for the industry's ~right to pollute." He asked the council to adopt the recommendation for the fee structure brought before it by the Toxics Board, reiterating that it had been forwarded by unanimous vote. Hope Marston, PO Box 51434, 3110 University Street, proclaimed her pride in living in a community in which the citizens had passed the Toxics Right-To-Know law. She lauded the MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 23, 2004 Page 5 Regular Meeting