11/16/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Gleason stated that staff had originally planned to deal with the recog- nition policy issue in September but it was set aside due to modifications of e the council work program to accommodate the Affirmative Action Program as a first priority. He stated that the questionnaires were presently being distributed and staff hoped to have a report by January or February, with some possible resolution by March or April. He suggested that the Oak Hills Association could be recognized under its existing charter and then deal with the present issue within the recognition policy. Councilor Holmer stated that his motion for deferral was not an expression of disapproval or discontent with the neighborhood organizations. He said he was a regular participant in his own neighborhood organization and that he believed the organizations were a useful means of communication between the City and the residents. He said it was offensive to adopt a resolution that stated the council recognized the organization created under the particular set of by-laws as the official voice of the neighborhood. He said the neighborhood group will continue to work whether the council takes action on the resolution or not. Councilor Lindberg said he did not view the council as debating the policy, but whether the present issue matched the existing policy. He said that it did and the council should approve the resolution. Councilor Ball stated there was some apparent philosophical disagreement within the council on the role of neighborhood groups. He said he preferred to specify the policy and to determine the council.s standing on the policy; therefore, he would support the motion to defer. Councilor Obie said he had a difficulty in having the Oak Hills neighborhood e caught in the crossfire of the policy issue. He said it would be easier for him to vote on a policy issue rather than tying it in with the Oak Hills charter. He said business should proceed as usual and that the council should separately address the policy issue. He stated that he would vote against the deferral. Mayor Keller stated that a current policy existed for neighborhood groups and that it was appropriate to raise the policy issue under a separate item. He hoped that the council would vote to defeat the motion to defer. The motion to defer action on the resolution failed 4:3, with Councilors Holmer, Ball, and Hansen voting aye; and Councilors Smith, Schue, Obie, and Lindberg voting nay. The motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously, 7:0. Mayor Keller asked that staff expedite the recognition policy issue for presen- tation to the council. Mr Gleason said staff was presently distributing the questionnaires, stating that a factual basis was desired before any presentation to the council. Councilor Hansen questioned the appropriateness of the councilors in completing the questionnaires. Mr. Gleason stated that different forms of the questionnaire were being distributed to different groups and that it was important for staff to obtain feedback from all involved parties. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 16, 1983 Page 3