04/30/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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" .- - Councilman Williams recognized the need for more quickly considering legisla- tion and stating a position, at the same time still supporting the intent of the Council's resolution asking Council approval before statements are made in the City's name. He moved seconded by Mrs. Bea1 that the Mayor appoint a Council subcommittee to review legislation and authorize that subcommittee to state a City position to be reported to the full Council; if any two members object in writing to the position taken, that position would be held until formal Council consideration; if no protests are rendered wi thin 48 hours, the position can be construed as that of the City. . '-- Councilwoman Bea1 expressed her approval of the proposed procedure. Council- man Wood felt it would defeat the purpose of the resolution requiring prior Council approval of statements made oni ts-beha1f, and that it would 1i~t con- sideration of legislation to just a. few members' of th~ Council. He felt limita- tions on Council members' time would prevent proper consideration by all Council members. Mayor Anderson explained that many of the bills are of a mundane nature and could be handled by ~ subcommittee. However, any major piece of legiSlation he was sure would not be passed on until discussion by the full Council. He cited the land use bill as one upon which Eugene could have had . more voice if a position could have been taken more speedily. He favored use of a subcOmm~ttee' to act with greater speed and to take care of routine legisla- tion, saying alternative procedure could be worked out if this is not successful. Councilwoman Campbell wondered about the suggestion in Mr. Luce's memo with re- gard to the proposed subcommittee's doing some of the lobbying in ,Salem. She favored shifting some of that responsibility to the staff because she felt only one or two Council members would be able to respond. Others felt appearance : and statements of elected officials would have rrore impact in the Legislature. Mr. Luce noted that the League of Oregon Cities in many instances has been handling the lobbying, if a posi tion has been taken by the Ci ty. However, un,der present procedure any effect Eugene may have had upon legislation has been non- existent. Mr. Wood in clarification of his protest said his reservations were also that only one or two Council members would have the time to devote to this task. . Vote was takel.1 on the, motion as stated. Motion carried unanimously. Comm 4/18/73 Approve - .' .._, .,. ,- "." Mayor Anderson appointed Councilwoman Beal to chair the subcommittee and COuncil- men Williams and Wood as the other two members. It was understood the sUbOom- 'mittee would meet late each Monday afternoon to consider bills before the Legis- lature at that time. N. S .B.15 - Requires that all meetings of governing bodies of public bodies be open' to the public Bill has passed the Senate, now in House:oommittee. Amended to delete the exception pertaining to public bodies' meeting with counsel. Staff feels there are times when that privilege of privacy is very essential, and would like to oppose the amendment. Support of the bill otherwise was recommended. . Councilman Williams wondered about the Council's legal position with regard to any action taken in a private meeting. Consensus was that occasions when it is felt essential to meet with City Attorney without public knowledge would be in the nature of meetings between an attorney and his client and confidential. In- formation from such meetings could prejudice the City's position. Mr. Williams moved seconded by Mrs. Bea1 to support reinstatement of the exception 'b to S.B.15 which would allow private sessions between a governing body and its ..- .- - i _._- counsel, and to support the bill itself if not amended to delete that exception. Motion carried unanimously. , .lComm 4/18/73 Approve o. , S.B.826 - Creates Planning Districts, Councils of Governments Memos from Lane Council of Governments and copies of the bill vious~y forwarded to Council members. itself were pre- Mr. Williams IOOved seconded by Mrs. Bea1 to support S.B. 826. Motion carried, all councilmen present voting aye, except Councilwoman Campbell abstaining. Comm 4/18/73 Approve P. Council Chamber Remodeling - Manager showed sketches of suggestions for r~mode1ing the Council Chamber in line with memo previously distributed to Council members. The remodeling would provide a different seating arrangement for Council, office space, canopied entrance on the south side, and wheelchair ramp on the north side. Modification of the existing Council table to allow better communication between Council members themselves was estimated to cost $7,200. provision of offices in the two south corners of the Ch~~ber, a canopy over the south entrance to the . I'~o 4/30/73 - 10