09/19/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Bennett stated that he was not interested in using computers for communication for council business. At Ms. Wooten's suggestion, Mayor Obie asked staff to provide information about School District 4J's resolution of the question of open public meetings being circumvented by computer communication between board members. He also directed staff to provide information about the school board's use and experience. Additionally, he asked that information about estimated capital and maintenance costs be provided for the Goals Session discussion. Mr. Boles added that it is not necessary for the entire council to adopt computer use, and he intended to raise the issue in the larger context of information and communication. Mayor Obie noted that the issue would have to receive a sufficient number of council votes at the Goals Session to be placed on an agenda and he advised Mr. Boles that he would have the opportunity to lobby prior to the session. IV. COUNCIL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS Ms. Wooten expressed hope that appointments to the Lincoln School committee would be made soon and she asked to work with Mayor Obie to expedite the process. Mayor Obie noted that the application of non-City of Eugene residents had delayed the decision-making process. e Ms. Wooten expressed the opinion that the council is having difficulty making decisions. She pointed out that when recommendations come to the council from boards and commissions, the council delays making controversial decisions by holding a work session. She said the council is on the verge of obstructing its own ability to get things done by the length of its deliberations. Mayor Obie observed that the nuclear free zone and Willamette Street issues were examples of important decisions requiring thoughtful deliberation. Mr. Bennett cited the historic preservation ordinance as a situation in which the council received a specific recommendation from an appointed body and then heard public testimony that differed with the recommendation. Mr. Bennett thought it would be inappropriate to make a quick decision without careful consideration of both sides of the issue. Mr. Holmer suggested that when the council is faced with the types of situations referred to by Mr. Bennett, it would be possible to deliberate without postponing the matter. He said there was a tradition of avoiding making amendments during regular meetings without referring issues back to staff, but if the council was willing to spend the time having policy discussions during its meetings, issues could be addressed and decisions reached without further delay. He referred to the purchasing issue as an example of unnecessary delay of a needed discussion. _. MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 19, 1988 Page 12 Quarterly Process Session