10/09/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Hershner suggested the motion include a statement to indicate the reasoning of the Council in taking this posi tion. Manager called attention to the next .agenda item with regard to Council statements on all of the November election measures, and it was agreed that would be discussed separately. ~MaYOr Anderson commented on the difficult position of the Council in approaching . ;situations involving franchise of the people to express their desires in a vote, 'but said he felt this proposed amendment is so faulty and would lead to so many :problems that it would really be an injustice to present it to the voters in its 'present form. In addition, he said, this community is attempting to develop a ,strong regional plan and vital to that plan is development of land use and trans- ;portation links to determine where urban services will be extended. This would 1set up a real roadblock with no opportunity without cumbersome procedures to de- 'velop any kind of regional plan. It must be recognized decisions have to be made by elected officials - people have opportuni ties through the courts, remonstrances, referendums, and even "voting the rascals out" to vent their frustrations. The question is whether people are sufficiently concerned to use those channels. Mrs. Beal said she agreed with much of the Mayor's point of view. In addition, ,she strongly favors mass transi t on a regional basis and feels it is concei vable : the proposed amendment would hamper that achievement in trying to work out a ; regional street system. She said she feels no charter should be a straightjacket . I ' to government, but a workable, simple, clean document. ' Comm 9/27/72 :. Vote was taken on the motion as stated. Motion carried unanimously. Approve D. Appointment, Council Comrndttee, Voter's Pmaphlet Statements - Manager suggested ~ appointment of a Council comrndttee to review statements with regard to City measures, being prepared by staff for the voter's pamphlet. He said a statement could be pre-, pared on the initiative petition measure also for this Council comrndttee to review together with a recommendation on how to pay for them. I Mrs. Beal rroved seconded by Mr. Willi ams to appoint a Council comrnd ttee to review I ballot measure statements. I ;, Manager called attention to deadline of October 5 for submi tting statements for the ; pamphlet and suggested the commi ttee be empowered to act for the Council. ; . Vote was taken on the motion amended to include empowering the committee to act for the Council.. Motion as amended carried unanirrously. Bob Golden, 577 Madison Street, said it was not clear to him whether the Council had decided to place a statement opposed to the Charter amendment in the voter's 'pamphlet. He said he does not feel it is proper for the Council to use tax money to oppose a measure on which voters are being asked to express an opinion, and that the proper role of the Council would be to remain neutral, publishing only .an explanatory statement. Mayor Anderson said it has not yet been decided whether to file a statement, but . the opportunity would be made available to anyone wishing to support the amend- .ment to enter such a statement in the pamphlet. Mr. Bradshaw said it would be necessary to know if a statement is put into the pamphlet whether it is official Council position or being done by an outside agency. Mrs. Beal suggested deci- . sion be made now on whether to file a statement and whether it would be paid for wi th Ci ty funds. She said she feels it is improper for the Council to present its position against this measure at City expense. Assistant Manager said specific requirements in State law govern cities on initia- tive petitions. Costs must be borne by those presenting statements, there are no free pages. Manager disagreed wi th the idea that Ci ty funds should not be used for this purPose, saying Council members as elected representati ves have the re- sponsibility to determine what is proper use of City funds and responsibility for spending City funds to oppose what they feel is detrimental to City purposes. There has been no problem in paying for Council opposition statements in previous elections and no difference is seen between this issue and the limited access Charter amendment adopted in 1961 and repealed. Mr. Williams noted that City funds are used in lobbying the State in instances of legislation deemed detrimental to Eugene and could see nothing wrong with paying for statements strongly opposing . this measure. Mrs. Beal repeated her belief that it is unfair not to pay for the proponents 'point of view if the ci ty' s is presented, saying it is a matter of principle ra- ther than law. Assistant Manager said different rules govern initiative petitions than City measures in answer to Mrs. Campbell's remark that her understanding was that the first page opposing a measure is wi thout charge. . c:< 9 t' 10/9/72 - 6