04/23/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Mr. Guske said the periodic review and adjustment of neighborhood groups suggested in Recommendation #24 is important because it could make the groups more effective. Marilyn Odell, 750 West Broadway, represented the Neighborhood Leaders. She said the Neighborhood Leaders gave the city-wide publication in Recommendation #3 a high financial priority. She said the publication should not replace neighborhood newsletters. It should give information about public hearing dates and issues before City boards and commissions. She said the publication could begin as a one-page insert in the Parks and Recreation Leisure Schedule. She urged the council to consider the publication. Referring to Recommendation #14, Ms. Odell said the City is implementing the recommendation by encouraging applicants, developers, and businesses to contact neighborhood groups before public hearings so that neighborhood concerns can be indicated before an adversaria1 relationship develops. Referring to Recommendations #18 and #19, Ms. Odell said the neighborhood leaders indicated that many people would apply for boards and commissions if encouraged to do so. She said sometimes people do not know that an incumbent will probably be appointed. She encouraged the councilor to find a way to notify people that an incumbent may be reappointed. Ms. Odell urged the council not to change the Neighborhood Organization Recognition Policy as suggested in Recommendation #22. She said the change would dilute public perception of the importance of neighborhood groups. She said CPRT received no proof that people do not express opinions on an issue because the neighborhood group has taken a position on it. Ms. Odell said the neighborhood leaders emphasized the importance of the full-time neigh- borhood liaison in Recommendation #25 and the importance of funds to improve the distribution of neighborhood newsletters suggested in Recommendation #31. She said many people do not receive newsletters. Steve Ade~, 1375 Bailey, said he understood that a variety of places as well as times or public hearings was suggested in Recommendation #12. He said holding formal public hearings in various locations is important because some people feel uncomfortable in the Council Chamber. Referring to Recommenda- tion #16, he suggested the role of the CIC be expanded to include a review of citizen involvement in the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department, and the Parks Department. He said the Joint Parks Committee has only two citizen-at-large members now. He suggested two additional citizens at large be appointed. Referring to the statement in Recommendation #24 that "all areas of the City should be represented by neighborhood organizations if. . .", Mr. Adey said residents should be appointed to the Downtown Commission. He said residents would have different interests from those of the business representatives. There being no additional requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Mayor Obie asked the council to comment on the CPRT recommendations that require policy changes or additional resources. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 23, 1986 Page 3