CC Minutes - 03/07/05 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilor Solomon asked, in the spirit of compromise, that the council ask the City Manager and not the Toxics Board to come back to the council with a process that would arrive at the answers the council sought. She pointed out the ordinance that was proposed for action was the result of the Toxics Board process. She opined that the Toxics Board was an artificially balanced body, as demonstrated by its frequent near-tie votes. Councilor Solomon, seconded by Councilor Poling, moved to amend Councilor Kelly's motion to substitute ;City Manager' for the ;Toxics Board.' Councilor Poling asked if the Toxics Board had, under the City Charter, the authority to take that action. City Attorney Glenn Klein replied that the council had the authority to ask the Toxics Board to undertake the work dictated in Councilor Kelly's motion. City Manager Taylor stated, given that the Toxics Board members were experts on the subject matter, that any process he would bring back to the council would include consultation with the board in an official way. Councilor Pryor said he would not support any Toxics Program expansion that was not based on some sort of authoritative resources or empirical data. He did not think merely taking input from public testimony and affected businesses provided enough information on which to base a decision. He wanted more complete and precise data before he could consider the ordinance. Councilor Kelly opposed Councilor Solomon's amendment because he thought that the City Manager would be part of the information loop regardless. He preferred to leave the Toxics Board in charge. He said the Toxics Board had the benefit of the public testimony and that his motion would give them the directive to consult with affected businesses. He thought the Toxics Board also benefited from the work of its lead staff, Glen Potter, management analyst for the Eugene Fire Department. He added that, ultimately, it was up to the City Council to decide whether an expansion of the program should occur. Mr. Klein affirmed, in response to Councilor Bettman, that the Toxics Board was created by City Charter. Councilor Bettman called the Toxics Board the ~most balanced committee that exists within the City organization." She felt the City benefited from the debate that the Toxics Board had and also from the expertise of the people at the table. She indicated she would not support the amendment. Roll call vote; the amendment to the motion failed, 5:3; councilors Pap~, Solomon, and Poling voting in favor. Councilor Solomon asked how she could be assured that the Toxics Board would not be the only board reviewing data and weighing in on which businesses should report. City Manager Taylor responded that it was the preference of the City Council that any item that came before the council had a recommendation from the City Manager. Councilor Poling expressed reservations about the Toxics Board but felt that to move forward he would have to support Councilor Kelly's motion. He agreed with Councilor Pryor regarding a need for more empirical data in order to expand the program. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 7, 2005 Page 13 Regular Session