02/17/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Ms. Schue discussed a Register-Guard letter to the editor written by Mr. Miller which indicated that councilors attend neighborhood group meetings. She said she does not attend all neighborhood group meetings in her ward. Mr. Miller explained the letter. Ms. Schue suggested councilors who wish to represent the council in written material submit the material to other councilors before it is mailed. Mr. Holmer said it is important for City officials to speak with one voice when councilors agree on a position; but, when the councilors do not agree, it is important for the Federal congressional delegation to know that the councilors differ. He said sometimes differences of opinion should be allowed because they involve fundamental political policy. Ms. Schue said a councilor can write anything on personal stationery; but, when a councilor speaks as a member of the council, when being a member of the council is a part of the message, or when City stationery is used, a councilor should advocate opinions that are held by the rest of the councilors. Mayor Obie restated his opinion that the City should not pay the expenses to Washington, DC, of councilors who will lobby against an official City position adopted by the council. Ms. Schue agreed with him. Mr. Rutan said that official City policy is determined by a majority vote (over 50 percent) of the council. Mayor Obie agreed with him. Mr. Holmer said congressional delegates are entitled to know the council vote on issues which are being discussed with them. He hoped councilors will lobby in Washington for the airport expansion and other things on which they agree. He said the City would not need to pay his way to Washington in early March because he serves on the National Council on Public Works Improvement and it will be meeting about the same time as the National league of Cities Conference. Mayor Obie said it would not be appropriate for a councilor who voted with the minority to discuss that position with the congressional delegates when other councilors are discussing the official City position. Ms. Schue said it is difficult for the City staff to relate to the staff of congressional delegates when some councilors speak against official City policy. It makes the congressional staff wonder what is going on in Eugene. Mr. Holmer said Ms. Schue's and Mayor Obie's statements make it difficult for councilors who feel deeply about a specific City position. He said the process does not seem very democratic if it is not proper for an elected official to express an opinion to congressional delegates. Ms. Ehrman suggested councilors who voted with the minority speak to the congressional delegation at another time. Ms. Schue emphasized that such a contact should include a statement that the councilor is expressing a minority view which is not the official City position. Mr. Holmer said, if Ms. Schue's last statement is true, then discussions advocating an official City position should include a statement that the vote was not unanimous. Mayor Obie did not agree with Mr. Holmer. Mayor Obie said he represents the position of the majority of the council. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1986 Page 7