01/20/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e to use the triple majority issue because of the decision by the Court of Appeals. The City can legally use the double majority method, although she said she has some reservations about it. III. LOCAL VOTER'S PAMPHLET ORDINANCE City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the item. Mr. Holmer presented the report. He said the impetus for a pamphlet came from the two previous elections where staff has been criticized over the explanations describing ballot measures. He said the pamphlet has been suggested as one way to provide additional information to voters and give proponents and opponents of a measure a forum to state their arguments. Mr. Holmer said he, Mr. Rutan, and Mr. Miller have compiled a draft ordinance. He asked that the council review the pamphlet and suggest improvements as needed. In response to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Barb Bellamy, Community Relations Director, said 49,000 of the pamphlets will be mailed to residences. In addition, there will be extra pamphlets distributed to local post offices. Mr. Holmer said it is cheaper to mail the pamphlets by residence than to send them to registered voters only. e Ms. Schue asked about an apparent discrepancy between the number of days listed on page 2, 2.995 and page 3, paragraph 3. Mr. Sercombe said the two time periods should be synonymous. Ms. Bascom asked why only three councilors and not a council majority can overrule the City Manager in determining if a voter pamphlet should be published. Mr. Holmer said that provision is to assure that a significant minority of the councilors can request a pamphlet be published on a particular measure. He said it was felt that a majority of councilors is not needed to do so. Ms. Bascom said publishing a voter's pamphlet is significant enough that it warrants a majority of the council's favor. Ms. Ehrman asked why the council is involved in the process at all. Mr. Miller said the subcommittee is attempting to respect the diversity of views that might exist on the council. He pointed out the ordinance requires a significant minority to get an issue in the voter pamphlet. Ms. Schue said she does not want a precedent set whereby a minority of councilors can control issues before the council. Mayor Obie called for a straw vote on whether a majority or minority of councilors can overrule the City Manager in determining if a voter pamphlet should be published. Mayor Obie broke a 4:4 tie that it require a majority of councilors to overrule the City Manager. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 20, 1988 Page 9