CC Minutes - 05/08/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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received, it could be a real asset to getting the bond measure passed. She said the group was working hard to develop the park and needed the council to “come along with us.” She echoed previous testimony urging the council to place the park in the bond measure and to reclassify its development as a Priority 1. Rick Bennett , 9200 Southeast Sunnybrook Boulevard, Clackamas, spoke on behalf of the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP). He stated that the AARP had more than 475,000 members statewide and nearly 23,600 members in the City of Eugene. He provided his testimony in writing and indicated that AARP members were consistently opposed to predatory lending practices, such as payday loans, and in support of legislation to regulate it. He urged the council’s support for the ordinance. nd Jana Jackson , 1012 East 22 Avenue, requested that the eight citizen members of the Budget Committee be required to be representative of the eight wards of the city. She said three of the current members resided in the same ward and this could be construed as lop-sided representation. Peter Leung , 2040 Shasta Loop, announced that a Chinese delegation would be coming to visit the State of Oregon at the invitation of State Senate President Peter Courtney. He related that the delegation would be visiting Eugene as well as the State Capitol in Salem. He stated that the delegation was interested in the University of Oregon because of a potential working relationship and ongoing communications that recently transpired. He noted that the states of Oregon, Washington, and California were prepared to establish relationships with fast-growing China and East Asia. He related that Oregon State University was taking advantage of this opportunity and planned to send a delegation to China during the first week of September. The University of Oregon was also taking the initiative. He provided a proposal as to how the City could receive the delegation from China and he hoped that the City Council and the Mayor would take advantage of this opportunity to improve the city’s relationship with China. Mayor Piercy closed the Public Forum and asked for comments from the council. Councilor Kelly thanked everyone for their testimony. He continued to be impressed with the LEAD program and what the young people were doing. He requested that the City Manager pursue other sites for the teen center. He also thanked LEAD for the invitations to the May 24 event, noting that councilors would not be able to attend because a council meeting was scheduled. Regarding the Wayne Morse Youth Program, Councilor Kelly stressed that Mayor Piercy contacted the County Commissioners as soon as she had heard about the situation and asked that electricity be restored to the terrace. Councilor Kelly also thanked everyone who spoke regarding the payday loan industry. Additionally, he noted that he agreed with those who considered the EWEB steam facility to be a valuable community resource. Councilor Papé echoed Councilor Kelly’s comments regarding the LEAD teens. Referring to Golden Gardens Park, he pointed out that there would be no bond money realized in 2006 because of timing, but there could be other funding possibilities. Councilor Papé requested a memorandum regarding Mr. Conte’s concerns about zoning in the Jeffer- son/Westside neighborhood. MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 8, 2006 Page 7 Regular Meeting