CC Minutes - 08/14/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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harassing black people on bikes without lights. She felt the clear intent of the voters to have a truly independent review system of the Police Department and meaningful accountability was being trifled with and empty promises and grabs at power by the City Manager did not engender trust. th Michael Carrigan, 1439 West 4 Avenue, Eugene, said that the Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC) supported Measure 20-106, which was overwhelmingly supported by the voters of Eugene. He felt the opinion by the City Attorney that employees in the Police Auditor’s office came under the authority of the City Manager was incorrect and the legislative intent of the ballot measure was that the auditor’s office be fully independent. He said the ballot measure gave the auditor the complete authority to hire, supervise and manage the office and employees under the auspices of the City Council and a legal opinion by Art Johnson differed with the City Attorney and affirmed that conclusion. On behalf of the CALC board of directors, he urged the council to affirm the voters’ decision and give the auditor the authority she would require to manage a truly independent office by approving a resolution to that effect. Charles Biggs, 540 Antelope Way, Eugene, speaking as a community activist involved with several City groups, thanked the City for its recognition of volunteer efforts at the annual picnic on August 13, 2006. He commended the City for empowering its citizens to make a difference and urged more people to volunteer. Speaking as a private citizen, he expressed concern about the location of the Nobel Peace Laureate monument in Alton Baker Park. He did not feel that was an appropriate location and the monument would be better located where it would enhance the area. He thought the monument was a lovely gesture but was not certain it was in the best location because parks and open spaces should reflect the natural beauty and be appreciated for their own uniqueness; monuments should be in surroundings where they would engender solidarity in the community. Majeska Seese-Green, PO Box 1214, Eugene, speaking for the Whiteaker Community Council, said the council had been calling for truly independent police review, which meant that the staff in the auditor’s office needed to be truly independent and accountable to the auditor and City Council through the auditor. She hoped that the council would take action to affirm that independence and not return to the voters for clarification as they had already decided on an independent external auditor. She said the council had the authority to implement the oversight function consistent with the will of the voters, even though the City Attorney may have advised differently. Ruth Duemler, 1745 Fircrest Drive, Eugene, said she thought when she voted for an independent police auditor it really meant a completely independent department – independent of the City. She had great respect for City administrators and felt their positions would only be enhanced by having a completely separate auditor for the Police Department. She did not see the point in another vote on the issue as the people expected to have a separate auditor and office. She read an excerpt from a statement by the attorney for victims in the Magana and Lara incident that described the terrible injuries suffered by those women and stressed the critical importance of the police auditor having complete authority over the her staff. She emphasized the need for both the auditor and staff to be completely independent and not susceptible to even the appearance of bias. John Attig, 2335 Terrace View Drive, Eugene, spoke as a member of the citizen group sponsoring the Nobel Peace Laureate monument. He said the site in Alton Baker Park was selected in consultation with the Parks and Open Space Division and staff also participated in design selection. He said selection criteria required the design to be consistent with the overall atmosphere of Alton Baker Park. He said the design–a peace path–was a great work of landscape architecture and appropriate to its location. He said the monument would be a great asset to the City, the State and the country and the design was intended for MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 14, 2006 Page 3 Regular Meeting