11/20/1989 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Ms. Barnhart said she felt that requiring more signatures to be collected in order to get an initiative on the City ballot was a human rights issue~ partly because many of the issues raised are human rights issues. Mr. Miller said one of the options the council would consider that night involved conformity with State initiatives. Mr. Boles explained that currently 15 percent of registered voters must petition in order to get an initiative on the ballot, and 10 percent for a referendum. He said the second option being considered by the council that night was an alternative that for other than a charter amendment or revision, 12-1/2 percent of registered voters must be petitioned; for referendums, 8-1/2 percent. He said his information was lacking certain essential numbers. Mr. Whitlow said additional information on the initiative and referendum numbers would be presented in the staff report at that night1s City Council meeting. Mr. Miller said much of the work which would be done that night on this issue involved "housekeeping.1I Mr. Boles said the process would be taken away from referral to council and would be settled in the courts. He said this would put the burden on those who did not meet the test in the attorney1s opinion to cover court costs. He said historically this issue had been referred to the council. Mr. Rutan said the issue was one of a judgment call--what should the public e require of an individual or a group of citizens prior to them having the privilege of putting an item on the City ballot. He said he felt the number of signatures required on a petition should be higher than it is at present. He suggested that determining the number upon which the percentage is based is a matter of personal judgment. Mr. Rutan said he would not support anything which he did not feel allowed people adequate access to the initiative and referendum process. He said this was a "tremendous traditionll in Oregon. He said that several years ago there were 23 measures on the ballot, but Oregonians voted intelligently on a 11. He said he would not impede anyone's chance to get legitimate, general concern issues on the ballot. He said he hoped the council would hear testimony to that effect that night. Ms. Bascom said she was lIastonishedll that people were paid to gather signatures for the petitions. Mr. Miller said this was something the City could do nothing about. Ms. Barnhart said this meant that those with the money could buy their way onto a ballot and those without funding might not get on. Ms. Ehrman pointed out that it is up to the individual whether he chooses to sign a petition no matter how many petitioners may come to his door. She said it was required of a petitioner that he state if he is being paid for his work. Mr. Rutan referred to the Americans with Disabilities Act. He said that when e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 20, 1989 Page 10 Dinner/Work Session