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Roll call vote; the main motion passed unanimously, 8:0. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy moved on to Item F, the resolution to take a stand against torture and ensure that all United <br />States agencies abide by international treaties. <br /> <br />Councilor Solomon explained that she had pulled the resolution because she did not agree that it was <br />within the council's purview. She was most concerned because the resolution had come before the <br />council with only two votes out of the Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations (CCIGR) and <br />had been placed on the Consent Calendar. Had she not pulled the item, it would have been voted on <br />without discussion. She pointed out that she would have to solicit four votes should she want to place an <br />item on the table. She did not think this was transparent government. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly underscored that the CCIGR majority represented only two votes because there were only <br />three councilors on the committee. He averred she had the same mechanism open to her, which was that a <br />matter she believed to fell under the purview of the CCIGR could be brought to its attention and voted <br />upon there, and then subsequently brought forward to the council for approval. He agreed the item should <br />have been a stand-alone item. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly disagreed with Councilor Solomon's assertion that the resolution was not under the <br />purview of the City Council. He reiterated that the councilors had taken an oath of office to uphold the <br />United States Constitution and the resolution was the business of all of the residents of the country to <br />defend and uphold the Constitution. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman averred that as the greatest "superpower" of the world, the United States needed to set <br />the highest standard for human rights. Because the City was not asking the federal government to make <br />new laws, it was asking the government to uphold existing treaties and agreements, she believed it "very <br />appropriate" to reinforce this position through the resolution. She noted that the resolution was not <br />precedent-setting as the council had taken a stand on the Patriot Act. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap~ supported the spirit and substance of the resolution. He did not, however, believe it was a <br />matter that belonged before the City Council. He averred this resolution was different than the resolution <br />that took a stand against the Patriot Act in that the Patriot Act affected local residents. However, he <br />indicated he would support the motion. <br /> <br />Councilor Taylor urged support of the resolution. She said she was proud of the council for passing the <br />Patriot Act resolution. She felt the City of Eugene was a leader in the nation. <br /> <br />Councilor Ortiz concurred. She stated that local residents asked the council to take positions on such <br />issues and the council should do so. She felt the council should take a stand against war crimes. <br /> <br />Councilor Poling said he originally intended to vote in opposition. He commented that the council could <br />not even "get through [its] own business" and yet found time to weigh in on federal issues. He indicated <br />he would support the resolution, however. <br /> <br />Councilor Solomon did not think there had been adequate public participation in this item. She pointed <br />out that there was an alternative path; that councilors and citizens could write letters as individuals. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 11, 2005 Page 10 <br /> Regular Session <br /> <br /> <br />