01/11/1982 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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. it is sometimes easy to forget what a cultural asset it will be. I firmly believe that it will be the center of art and culture in Eugene. Besides boosting our economy, it can also give a boost to our many arts organizations, our spirits, and our quality of life. How we address intergovernmental relationships, providing efficient local services, and various land use issues will partially determine how many strides welre able to take in the direction of making Eugene a prosperous and pleasant place to live. We have a year ahead of us in which therels a lot of work to do. It's been said that it is lithe task of leaders to call forth the vast and restless energies of our people to buil d for the future. II But as I look at the three council members who have announced that their names will not be on the ballot next May, I am concerned about what we are demanding from our elected officials. e- Back 100 years ago, in 1882, when Eugene firefighting was going from a bucket brigade to mechanical equipment, the council authorized the City to spend twenty-five hundred dollars for three pieces of modern firefighting equipment. When the pieces were delivered, the bill came to twenty-five hundred ten dollars. The councilors paid the difference out of their pockets. Times have changed, yet we st ill are aski ng the City Council to II payout of their pockets," so to speak, by giving the City 20 or more hours per week with no compensation. I believe that the time has arrived when, once again, we have to address the council pay issue. A few years back, a citizensl committee produced a report about compensation for the council. That report is still available, and now it needs to be updated. I am going to take a look at the report, and I may reconvene the committee, but in any case, we will do something to address the issue of council pay this year. ---- With the tough agenda that's ahead for us this year, it may look like all work and no play in 1982. But I want you to remember that therels also some fun in sight. On Septanber 24, the handcrafted curtain will go up in the Eugene Performing Arts Center; local and national art works will grace the entrances and sparkle in out-of-the-way corners; the Eugene Symphony will tune up with "Home Sweet Home" inscribed over the orchestra pit; and, with six weeks of entertainment and excitement, we will toast the start of a new chapter in the life of this community. I hope all our citizens--all of you--will put that party on your calendars. Join us. Itls your center. You stepped forward to pay for it; its success will benefit all of us. And it1s going to be one heck of a good time! I want to thank all of you for coming tonight. And I especially want to express my gratitude to those citizens of Eugene, including the council, board and commission manbers, and all the others who so faithfully attend meetings, work on committees, and give us the benefit of your ideas and advice. People have talked about lithe alienation and rebellion" of the 60ls and the "cynicism and pessimism" of the 701s. I would like for the watchwords of the 80ls to be "cooperation and hope" and a sense of community for our citizens. e There really is no dividing line between us. To paraphrase that sign in the back, "together we are the city. II MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 11, 1982 Page 6