08/06/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Miller pointed out that as indicated in the State Statute, the role of the Budget Committee is to ensure that the budget is in line with council policy. The council needs to decide to what extent it is willing to allow the Budget Committee to become active in policy-making decisions. Mr. Boles stated that the council underutilizes the expertise provided by Budget Committee members. He felt that the council should listen more closely to the committee's advice, but agreed with Ms. Ehrman that it must be made clear that the council has the authority to make the final decision. Mr. Holmer noted that the lay members of the Budget Committee want to be able to interact with the council and arrive at a joint decision. Financial planning is one of the most important areas of City planning; the Budget Committee should playa major role. Mr. Miller urged the council to consider the tremendous amount of staff support which is often consumed on Budget Committee meetings with relatively little result. Regarding the council's Financial Planning workshop, Mr. Whitlow asked that the council remain sensitive to staff time limitations. Ms. Bascom voiced support for having the Budget Committee discuss its recommendations regarding financial planning at separate Budget Committee/City Council meetings. e (At 7:30 p.m., the council recessed for 5 minutes.) After deliberation, the council agreed to invite the Budget Committee members to participate in its Financial Planning workshop scheduled for October 1. Mayor Miller will preside at this meeting. The meeting would be an information-only session, with a decision meeting set for a later date. Mr. Holmer suggested that Mayor Miller be given a position on the Budget Committee. Ms. Ehrman said it should be made clear in the invitation that through this meeting the council is attempting to respond to the concerns raised by the Budget Committee members. G. New World, New Mind Mr. Boles invited the council to join him in reading a book entitled New World, New Mind by Robert Ornstein. Operating on the assumption that the world's resources are rapidly declining, this book offers new visions for resource utilization in the future, particularly focusing on the governmental entity. Several members of the council agreed to read this book. The council decided to allow a half-hour discussion of this book at the council's next goal-setting session. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 6, 1990 Page 6 Quarterly Process Session