09/07/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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tit Ms. Wooten opposed opening the street to through traffic. She said she has a strong belief in the sanctity of the vote and said if the voters favor closing Willamette Street "forever," the council does not have the right to revisit the issue. She described Eugene as a living city that will grow and she recognized that changing circumstances may make opening the street desirable in the future. She agreed with Mayor Obie and favored a council vote at this time with no referral to the voters. Ms. Schue indicated her preference would be to keep the street closed and she said it was appropriate for the council to go on record regarding the issue. She proposed a two-step process in which the council would vote now and then refer its action to the voters for their consideration. Ms. Bascom pointed out that if the voters determine the street will be closed, that decision now does not preclude the issue from being raised in the future. Ms. Wooten maintained that taking final action at this time without referral to the voters would provide better government. Mr. Miller said only an election would provide the public with a sense of finality. He observed that a voters pamphlet would allow the council to respond to the issue in whatever way it chooses. Ms. Ehrman emphasized the importance of knowing exactly what is being referred to the voters. She described Ms. Schue's proposal as an opinion poll that would serve as a vote of confidence in the council's decision and she supported such a vote. e Because he saw a problem with the ballot language, Mr. Rutan said he would support Ms. Schue's proposal to refer the council's action to the voters for approval. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, that the Eugene City Council go on record to continue to keep Willamette Street closed to through traffic between 8th and 10th avenues. Mr. Miller said he would oppose the motion. He felt costs would be the same whether the street is opened or remains closed and is rehabilitated. He suggested the motion should specify that no additional money would be spent to keep the street closed. Ms. Wooten said the the spending of money is a separate issue the council can discuss later. The motion passed, 4:3:1, with Councilors Bascom, Ehrman, Schue, and Wooten voting aye; Councilors Holmer, Miller, and Rutan voting against; and Councilor Bennett abstain~ng. Ms. Wooten urged delaying any public affirmation of the council's decision until at least 1989, but Mr. Miller's preferred alternative was to refer the decision to the voters to obtain their expressed consent. Until that is done, he said there would be mistrust of the council's decision. 4ItMINUTES--EUgene City Council September 7, 1988 Page 6