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-........ 427 ___~ _~ __ .._. _n..._.'__ Council Chambers, Eugene, Oregon January 27, 1941 I The minutes of the adjourned meeting of the Common Council held in the Council Chambers on January 27, 1941 at 7:30 o'clock p.m. Mayor Elisha Large presided over the meeting. Councilmen present were: Sam C. Bond, Fred C. Carlson, A. C. Farrington, Louis Koppe, E. A. Barette and Orren Brownson; absent: Ira O. Stewart; a vacancy existed in the second ward due to the recent of Councilman A. A. Reid. ~. ('C:. ......] death I 1'-- The minutes of the previous meeting were presented and ordered placed on fil . The meeting was herewith called to order. Mayor Large called for statements from the people present in the audience at the request of Mr. Walter B. Bennett, representing the railroad brotherhoods the Mayor handed the City Recorder a letter signed by L. M. Erickson, Division Chairman of the Portland Division Protection Committee of the Southern Pacific Company and asked the City Recorder to read aloud the same. The letter respectfully requested the council to reconsider its hasty and unwarranted action in dismissing Charles Sullivan as Supt of Parks. The City Recorder also read a communication from the> Order of Railway Conductors requesting the council to reconsider its action. Mr. Walter B. Bennett then addressed the council stating that the railroad brotherhoods had circulated petitions respectfully requesting the Common Council to reconsider its hasty action in the dismissal of Charles Sullivan. He also reported that the stoves, dishes, piano and other equipment in the Community Hall behind the Skinner''S Butte were not the property of the City of Eugene but the property of a number of service organizations who had made VOluntary contributions to purchase the same. Mr. Stanley Stevenson addressed the council stating he had neither heard nor read of any criticisms as to the work being performed by Mr. Sullivan and briefly outlined the progress and development of the parks particularly in the past five years and respectfully requested the rouncil to reconsider its action and to re-appoint Mr. Sullivan to his position as Supt. of Parks. Mr. Karl L. Wagner addressed the council stating he had not approved of the manner in which Mr. Sullivan had been dismissed. Although he knew nothing of the facts as to the council's position or Mr. Sullivan's position, he felt that the council should afford a fair hearing to Mr. Sullivan and the hearing should be public so that both sides could put their positions to the general public. He stated he was of the opinion that tivil Service should be provided for all city employees so there could be no dismissals without just cause. In this way the employees would be guaranteed certain basic rights. Further, he had heard of no particularly outstanding qualifications about the man appointed to take 'Mr. Sullivan's place. Such a position should be filled by an individual who was properl qualified. Mr. Wagner pointed out that if we would not maintain the basic principle of American Democracy in our own local home town and city government, then we could not expect to maintain these principles through the $tate and national governments. Mr. C. A. Huntington addressed the council and Mayor in behalf of himself, and at the same time representing a number of people he had contacted, and they were of the same opinion in the dismissal of Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Huntington stated that a number of years ago he was a member of the Park Commission and at that time he nor any members of the Commission had any complaints to make against Mr. Sullivan. It was his understanding that the Park Commission, prdor to his service, had no complaints to offer and'thersucceeding council park-committee chairmen had no complaints ~ offer 2X~xxkEXXmggK2~ until Mr. Barette took over the chairmanship. Mr. Huntington stated that no statements being made or justifications being shown for Sullivan's removal, he was having to state that the action of the council was a rank injustice and the trouble existing between Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Barette must be from Barette's side rather than Mr. Sullivan's. It was his understanding that the successor to Mr. Sullivan was an old personal friend Of Mr. Barette~s and the appointment was made for personal reasons. Such action naturally smelled to the high heavens. So in closing he asked the Mayor and Common Council to re~consider its action and reappoint Mr. Sullivan as Supt. of Parks. Dr. M. L. Handshuh spoke in behalf of Mr. Sullivan and stated that as far as hevwas concerned it was nothing Ibut a matter of politics and politics were pulled in behalf of a frienq. He leertainlY would endorse a Civil Service provision for all city employees andrequested the Mayor and Council to reconsider its action and re-appoint Mr. Sullivan to his priginal position. At this time the City Recorder presented petitions having more ~han 900 signatures asking the council's reconsideration in its dismissal of pharles Sullivan. Mr. A. A. Reese addressed the council asking the council to stand pat on its position and not permit itself to be persuaded by any labor unions. It I~as his opinion there were no politics involved in this case. The Mayor at this ~ime asked the council if it had any decision to make. Councilman Farrington then made a motion, seconded by Council Barette, to place the petitions on file and it ~as so ordered. The Mayor then announced that the council by its action had closed ~he case and the regular order of business would be resumed. Mr. Jacob Brenner addressed the Council stating he had purchased the property ~ying just West of the Cavenah Lumber yard on West 8th Street. In the plans for ~he construction of a building on this property it was discovered that the city sewer line extended across the property and he wished some action on the part of ~he council to cross this so he could proceed with the construction of the building. City Engineer Clubb, at the request of the council, stated that in the neighborhood I I I ~