08/13/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Holmer said he worries about the effect of the petition on the city's economy because the petition would create a costly Nuclear-Free Zone Board . which would be composed of "super snoopers" who would look into many contracts and economic activities to determine if businesses are engaged in something that is prohibited by the ordinance. He said the petition would discourage private investment in Eugene. He said the council should either adopt the petition or recommend its rejection. He emphasized that the voters will not see the petition. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Mr. Rutan, to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED: that the citizens be urged to vote against the ballot measure that prohibits specific nuclear weapons and nuclear power activities in Eugene. Ms. Wooten urged other councilors to vote against the motion and to do nothing about the petition. She said the voters should have an opportunity to become informed about the issue. She said approval of the motion would be counter-productive and would manipulate the process. She said the cities that have become nuclear-free zones have not suffered inordinate economic impact. She said citizens should decide if they want to live in a city where component parts for nuclear weapons are made. She said she does not. She said a special voters pamphlet with pro and con arguments to inform people of the petition might be appropriate. Mr. Rutan hoped the other councilors had read the entire petition. He . said it is radical. He said the measure that the Lane County Commissioners put on the November ballot is not as far-reaching. He sa i d he shares Mr. Holmer's concerns about nuclear weapons, but the initiative petition goes beyond reason and judgment. He said the passing of the petition would send dramatic signals about the city's economic development. He said the councilors should exhibit leadership, evaluate the petition, and state opinions about it because it is very important. Mr. Miller said the councilors had not discussed the petition but he was concerned about it. He favored a voters pamphlet that would indicate the councilors' concerns. He said he trusts the voters and thinks the petition would not pass. He said he favors a nuclear-free zone that would be beneficial to the city and the country. Ms. Schue said she does not favor the elected Nuclear Free Zone Board but there has been no public discussion of the petition. She emphasized that the councilors may act as individuals. She favored no council action on the petition. Ms. Ehrman said the intent of the initiative process is to let the citizens vote on a petition and she favored no council act i on on the petition. She said there are 80 nuclear-free zones in the United States. One of them is New York, and she did not think its economic development had been injured by the designation. . MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 13 t 1986 Page 8