CC Minutes - 05/22/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

would attend every meeting until they were able obtain a space for a teen center. He conveyed LEAD’s gratitude for the council’s help in procuring space for the center. He said this would be the last time LEAD representatives came to testify on a regular basis, though they would continue to provide occasional updates regarding teen center activities. Jenny Sink , 393 Limerick Avenue, thanked the council for its support of Golden Gardens Park. She averred that councilors had proven they “put kids first.” She said she would be able to tell her kids that they were heard by City representatives and that they should “keep talking.” She reiterated that many Bethel-area families would help the Parks Bond Measure be successful. Shauna Davis , 2350 North Terry Street, #11, echoed Ms. Sink’s testimony. She said, on behalf of her family and her community, that adding the funding for Golden Gardens Park and elevating its priority in the bond measure meant a lot. She wished to assure the councilors that they would help get Bethel voters out to pass the measure. She thanked the council for its time and consideration. Mayor Piercy closed the Public Forum. She commented that the City was counting on community help to gain approval of the PROS bond measure. She also wished to convey the council’s appreciation for the activism of the LEAD group. She said everyone was counting on the teens to change the minds of downtown businesses and residents about the teen center and its participants. She encouraged the LEAD representatives to conduct outreach. Mayor Piercy called for council comments. Councilor Kelly thanked everyone for their testimony. He called the activism of LEAD representatives “stunning.” He acknowledged that the space was smaller than had been hoped for, adding that this would be a temporary space until a larger one was found. He felt LEAD teens had their “act together” and that they would continue to set a great example and put a positive face on the youth of the community. He urged them to keep up the good work. Councilor Poling said the LEAD teens had placed themselves in a fishbowl and he had no doubt that once people were able to see what LEAD was about and how it operated, the teen center would gain more community support. He recommended, however, that for the present, LEAD teens get out and educate the community. He wished the teens good luck and expressed some disappointment that the young people were not going to continue coming to meetings every week. He was glad they were going to provide occasional updates, adding that the teens were “our future leaders.” Councilor Papé stated that he was very impressed with the LEAD teens. He said they had a vision, they picked a strategy, and they worked tirelessly to achieve their goal. He echoed comments regarding the level of responsibility the LEAD teens were taking on and wished them good luck. Councilor Papé related that several councilors toured Golden Gardens Park earlier in the day and he was impressed by its size. He expressed admiration for the persistence and vision that the Friends of Golden Gardens Park displayed. Councilor Solomon thanked the council for its support for the Friends of Golden Gardens Park as they navigated their way through the local democratic process. She looked forward to meeting with the group on May 24 to begin strategizing for the successful passage of the bond measure. MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 22, 2006 Page 3 Regular Meeting