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- that City government should look at. He said the plan would have a major impact on the community, and he recognized that the plan was complex and that City Councilors were not experts, however he felt that CCED should make a recommendation to the council about input on the plan. Mr. Rutan added that he had no preconceived notions about what that input should be, but he did want to raise the issue. Ms. Wooten said the City in the past had been asked to examine forest management plans, but that never had been done, and it was unprecedented for the City to enter that controversy. She said she did not deny the impact or the need for interest in the issue, but she was opposed to offering input for several reasons, including 1) the technical and complex nature of the matter, involving details of economic, silvaculture, and biological issues, which if looked at, should be considered thoroughly and with more expertise than the council has; 2) the time-consuming process and the other items on the council's agenda; 3) the divisive and controversial nature of the issue; 4) the lack of new information or political influence that could be offered; and 5) the requirement for a public hearing, which would repeat other hearings already held by the State and the County. She added that she favored addressing secondary wood products manufacturing, looking at the value of timber products in the economy, not just at their volume. - Mr. Holmer referred to the draft Economic Development Strategic Plan, noting that lumber and wood products represented 38 percent of manufacturing employment in Eugene and that Chapter 3 stated an intent lito continue to assist the wood products industry to sustain or increase the availability of raw materials." He said he favored a firm position representing the City's interest in an important industry. Mayor Obie reported that he had held several meetings with Mike Kerrick, manager of the Willamette National Forest Service, and had been kept informed, and he said forest representatives would appreciate a City posture, whatever that might be. Responding to Ms. Ehrman's question, Mr. Rutan said the public comment period had been extended to May 15. Committee members said the committee could fashion a recommendation for council discussion. Ms. Wooten added that if the City Council chose to proceed, it could not do so in a blithe way, but the process must be done well, she believed with lots of public participation. She said she did not want the community to turn its back entirely on the issue of the natural resource base of the area and its contribution to the economy, but she also recognized that a City position was wholly unprecedented. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, that the City Council request CCED to examine the proposal and the alternatives and to make a recommendation to the council about whether the council should take a position, and if so, what that public process might be. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 2