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- e e Ms. Bascom said her second had been made under council rules, and she spoke against the motion. She said a position would be shallow, while the issue was complex and had been the subject of other lengthy hearings. She said she believed that a diversity of opinions existed and had been stated, and she did not favor a council position. Mr. Bennett said he wondered whether a way existed for the council to convey its interest in protecting wood products employment without having to try to address all the specific, technical issues. He said he was worried that involvement of too much public process would dilute the council's position. Mayor abie said he hoped the committee would address that in its recommendations. Ms. Schue expressed concern that the council already had a heavy agenda. She said she agreed with the concerns expressed by Councilors Wooten and Bascom about the lack of expertise and effectiveness. Ms. Ehrman agreed, adding that individual councilors were free to follow the issue. Mr. Miller said the committee might decide not to make any comments, but he favored allowing that decision. Mr. Holmer said he believed the committee should look at the issue because the plan appeared to affect many jobs in the area's economy. Mayor abie said he felt a responsibility to the Forest Service and others who had been trying to do outreach and to get input from the community, and he did not want to avoid that responsibility. He said he agreed that the council in the past had "ducked" the issue. He said the foundation of this community was based on the woods products industry more than 100 years ago. He said threats to an industry that provides 38 percent of the area's employment should concern the community and the council. Mayor abie added that he had been depressed to learn this morning that housing starts last month had been at a low going back to 1982. He said he thought the community could be in a very difficult time ahead, both because of a reduction in housing starts and because of legislative reductions in natural resources. Roll call vote, the motion carried 5:4, Councilors Bascom, Ehrman, Schue, and Wooten voting nay; Councilors Holmer, Bennett, Miller, Rutan, and Mayor abie voting aye. Ms. Wooten said she thought bias had been demonstrated going into the issue. Mr. Bennett said he was concerned that results of the committee might not have much weight at the council level. He suggested that CCED look at whether to take a general position that the full council could support. Mr. Rutan said the committee would establish process first. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1988 Page 3