09/25/1989 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Holmer questioned why the council would create a body to be advisory to the Executive Director of PARCS and to City staff with respect to operational matters and to the City Manager and Executive Director regarding policies relating to the urban forest. PARCS Director Ed Smith responded that the Tree Commission is patterned after other boards and commissions (specifically the Airport Commission) that advise the City Manager, who in turn brings matters to the City Council for approval. Ms. Schue pointed out that the Public Safety Advisory Committee also serves in an advisory capacity to City staff. Mr. Bennett shared Mr. Holmer's concern about assigning an advisory group a role in developing policy. Mr. Holmer responded that he hoped to see the council avoid invading the administrative areas of the organization, but he expected advisory boards created by the council to advise the council, and the City Manager to receive policy direction from the council. Mr. Bennett supported allowing an advisory group to interact directly with staff with respect to already established policies. Ms. Bascom added that she considered the role of the Tree Commission to be to respond to community interest and to develop new policy. She said the group would appropriately deal with both policy and administration. Responding to Mr. Green's inquiry about expenses associated with the commission, Mr. Smith said estimated costs are based on current expenses which are approximately $200 monthly, which includes mailing, minutes, and staff time. e Mr. Holmer suggested amending Section 2.245 to read: liThe tree commission ;s established to serve as an advisory body to the City Council for preservation, enhancement, and maintenance of Eugene's urban forest." He said that, in the process, the commission would advise PARCS staff and the City Manager. Unless the ordinance states specifically that the commission is advisory to the council, Mr. Holmer said there would be an invasion of the administrative province. Mr. Whitlow mentioned the three types of advisory boards and commissions now existing: 1) those that are strictly advisory to the City Council (the majority of boards and commissions); 2) those that are advisory only to the City Manager (Public Safety Advisory Committee); and 3) those that advise the City Manager on operational matters and the City Council on policy matters (Cultural Affairs Commission). He proposed changing Section 2.245 to create a Tree Commission that falls into the third category: liThe tree commission is established to serve as an advisory body to the executive director of PARCS and to city staff with respect to operational matters, and to the City Council on the city's program for preservation, enhancement, and maintenance of Eugene's urban forest. CB 4161--An ordinance concerning the Tree Commission; amending Section 2.013 of the Eugene Code, 1971; adding new Sections 2.245, 2.247. 2.249, and 2.251 to that code; and declaring an emergency. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 25, 1989 Page 7