12/12/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ e In response to a Question by Councilor Wooten regarding the level of public contribution to the organization, Mr. Obie said he assumed the public funding would remain at its current level. He said the City may wish to recommend alternate funding sources to the organization in a year or two. Councilor Holmer said he felt that Mr. Obie had performed a good job thus far in his negotiation with the chambers of commerce, but he believed that many uncertainties still existed. He said the City must become involved in the private-side areas if the organization is to be successful and that many of the Questions raised cannot be answered until after the organization is formed. He said it would be appropriate to proceed with the agreement if a commitment was made to carefully monitor the City's position. Mr. Obie felt that the City will have sufficient representation in the organization with the Mayor and Council President as members of the organization and the Mayor on the Interim Executive Committee. In addition, the City Council would have the opportunity to appoint three representatives to the partnership. He suggested that Ms. Briner provide monthly reports on the marketing plan to the City Council for the first six months, with a full report to the council at the end of the first Quarter. Mr. Hansen said he was more con- cerned with having set goals, stating that the council must be aware of the organization goals in order to evaluate its progress. Referring to the December 12, 1984, letter from the League of Women Voters, Councilor Bascom stressed that it was important for the council to answer legitimate Questions in order to ensure the success of the program. Mr. Obie commented that some of the Questions were unanswerable at the e present time. In response to item #2 in the letter, he said that $160,000 allocated for the organization was currently in the City budget and was unspent and available. In response to item #9 regarding at-large members, Ms. Briner said the Interim Executive Committee has suggested that members from the Oregon Pacific board fill the at-large positions and one position on the Executive Committee for the first year because of the merger. She said the appointees from the governmental agencies will follow the normal application procedures. Mr. Obie said the regional at-large positions will be filled with individuals having a regional influence. In response to a Question by Ms. Wooten, Mr. Obie explained that the private at-large posi- tions were non-institutional. He said that the council could provide direction to clarify the application procedure after the first year. In response to item #6 in the League of Women Voters letter, Mr. Sercombe stated that legal restraints were present, explaining that the City could not grant public money without receiving some goods or services in exchange. He said that the City must have a contract for any services provided. Mr. Gleason stressed that any contract by the City was based on expressed public policy. Councilor Bascom suggested that the League of Women Voters should send an observer to the organization meetings to provide additional feedback to the City Council. Councilor Schue said she recognized the difficulty in the development of the organization, but she was concerned with how the council was keeping the public informed of its involvement in the organization. She suggested that e the public should have the opportunity to comment on the process. Mr. Obie Minutes--Eugene City Council December 12, 1984 Page 7