01/08/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Green later reported briefly on his participation, saying the Eugene Decisions process was well-founded. A City of Corvallis councilor has asked for information and wants to be kept apprised of the City's progress. F. Political Campaign Ms. Bascom announced that she will make her first issue-oriented campaign statement at 11 a.m. in the Hult Center Lobby. She said this will be the first of a series of such statements. Noting that the lobby is set up for free concerts on Thursdays, Ms. Bascom has suggested that that facility be made available for anyone making announcement for City office. G. Opening of Olive Street Ms. Bascom wondered if the opening of Olive Street to vehicular traffic is a legal issue. City Attorney Bill Gary said that council has the authority to open Olive Street to vehicular traffic, and there is nothing in the charter that prohib- its such action. He noted that the charter amendment that was passed last year prohibiting traffic on the mall without a vote of the people does not prohibit opening Olive Street. He said the mall area protected by the amend- ment is described as Willamette Street from the south margin of 8th to the north margin of lOth Avenue and Broadway Avenue from the east margin of Charnel ton Street to the west margin of Oak Street. He noted that Olive Street was conspicuous in its absence in the charter amendment. e Responding to a question from Mr. Boles, Mr. Gary said that there is no defi- nition of "vehicle" in the charter or City Code; therefore, he was not sure if bicycles are considered vehicles. He said it is a difficult question because it is not clear what the intent of the charter amendment was. Mr. MacDonald asked that the City Attorney's Office define vehicle as it relates to bicycles in the development of its opinion. Responding to a question from Mayor Miller, Mr. Gary said there is a provi- sion in State Law whereby the City can go to court in a single-party proceed- ing and ask the court to declare that the City has authority to do whatever it is undertaking. He did not recommend this because the legal system is designed to have an adversary process before the court. The results from this form of litigation is no better than legal advice. Mr. Gary said the best approach is to take whatever legal advice is available, make a political judgement about how to proceed, and answer challenges as they arise. Mr. Nicholson said the council will make a serious mistake if it treats the opening of Olive Street as a legal rather than political issue. He said he firmly believes that if the voters are presented with a sound proposal, they will respond with a sound decision, without raising further cynicism. Mayor Miller suggested asking the Downtown Commission to develop a proposal for opening Olive Street to vehicular traffic. Councilors agreed with the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 8, 1992 Page 2