Laserfiche WebLink
<br />executive team not acting as a democracy, his lack of visibility in the organization, and assertions the <br />organization was “polarized” and communication had lessened over the past few years. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy thanked the manager and staff for their work. She said that it seemed like every week, the <br />City or its staff was recognized for excellence in performance, and she appreciated that. She commended <br />the manager for the City’s current state of financial well-being. She commended the manager and Police <br />Chief Bob Lehner for their investigation into the Eugene Police Department and pursuit of recommended <br />improvements, and for their support of the independence of the Police Auditor and Civilian Review Board. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy recognized the work that was being done to move the council’s goals forward, and looked <br />forward to working with consultants and community members on making Eugene a great city for the arts <br />and outdoors. Mayor Piercy said it was a real coup for Eugene to be name the site of the 2007 Olympic <br />Trials and staff deserved credit for its participation in that effort. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy said she was pleased with the community outreach occurring in conjunction with a discussion <br />of a new city hall. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy thanked the manager for his work with the City’s interjurisdictional partners in finding a <br />collaborative way to resolve west Eugene traffic issues and protect wetlands. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy said in spite of recent disappointments in downtown, interest in the area remained strong and <br />possibilities were good. She said that Eugene needed to ensure that downtown was safe and pleasant in the <br />meantime. She looked forward to continued discussion of a permanent Farmers Market. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy commended staff for its continuing commitment to the council’s race and homelessness <br />priorities, and for working to ensure Eugene was a welcoming community. She expressed appreciation that <br />the manager was participating in one of the City Club’s study groups on race, and that he was willing to <br />meet with those on both sides of an issue. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy expressed appreciation for the hiring of Susan Muir as Planning and Development Director. <br />Ms. Muir was very pleasant to work with and open to new and improved levels of public engagement. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy also was happy to see that that manager took the council’s focus on neighborhood organiza- <br />tions as a key means of effective communication. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy said that roads remained a major issue and she looked forward to working with the manager <br />on that. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy expressed appreciation to the staff for its commitment to the council’s sustainability goals, <br />and said it was time for Eugene to do more in conjunction with its intergovernmental partners. She said that <br />Eugene needed to “move up to a whole new level of commitment” as it faced climate change and fuel <br />shortages. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy called on the council for a second round of comments. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council May 31, 2006 Page 5 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />