Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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methodology was possible, but MWMC did not have discretion to raise the SDCs except for inflationary factors without an amendment consistent the statute. Councilor Bettman alleged that there were “lots of ways” modifiers were built in to the recalculation of SDCs. She averred that choices that had been made resulted in an inadequate SDC. She asserted that the City had a policy dictating that growth pay its own way and that the MWMC budget was in conflict with that policy. She said it was not that difficult to engage in the process to increase SDCs. Roll call vote; the motion to ratify the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission FY07 Regional Wastewater Program Budget and Capital Improvements Program passed, 7:1; Councilor Bettman voting in opposition. Regarding Item F, Councilor Poling recalled that the council discussed changing the maximum time for the Public Forum at its process session. He said that while he valued the Public Forum, he felt the councilors owed it to the people who voted them into office to ensure of the conclusion of its business. Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor Solomon, moved to amend Section 1.05 of the Eugene City Council Operating Agreements to read that the Public Forum should not exceed 45 minutes unless it was extended by a majority council vote. Councilor Kelly did not believe that the council settled on a time limit. He noted the proposals ranged between 30 and 90 minutes for Public Forum. He could not support the amendment in the face of the recent lengthy Public Forum segments of the council meetings. He noted that there had been some sentiment to adding a third Monday meeting devoted to public hearings. Council Coordinator Lynda Rose recalled that when the council discussed adding a meeting, it was determined that it would take several months to implement and it was possible that some trial meetings could be held to see how feasible such a change would be. She said the decision to change the operating agreements to reflect this potential addition was thought to be subsequent to this trial period. City Manager Taylor indicated that he favored the additional meeting. He said there had been a discussion of this possibility at both the Executive Managers’ meeting and regular agenda-setting meeting in an effort to anticipate how staff should prepare. He was not yet able to propose a strategy because of other pressing items of business, most notably the budget. Councilor Ortiz said she felt very passionate about people being able to come before the council. She could not support the amendment as she did not wish to restrict the Public Forum. She supported the idea of convening a third meeting devoted solely to public hearings. Councilor Taylor did not want to restrict the time for people to speak. She added, however, that she felt somewhat hesitant about holding a third meeting. Councilor Pryor observed that the issue before the council was one of a proper balance. He did not want meetings to “go on endlessly” because of public input, but if there was an issue around which there was a lot of passion, the council should hear it. He felt that 60 minutes was an appropriate amount of time for the Public Forum. He suggested that the council allow for up to 60 minutes and hopefully there would not be many issues that would inspire a greater amount of participation. He was reluctant to add a third Monday meeting for public hearings unless the council was hearing an abundance of public testimony on a regular basis. MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 22, 2006 Page 7 Regular Meeting