02/17/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e support the reopening as part of the City's general plans for the downtown and not inconsistent with maintaining a pedestrian mall. Mr. Robinette anticipated that Mr. Nicholson's concerns would be addressed by the time a decision is made. He said that he would have voted to open Willamette Street without a vote and would like to open Olive Street without a vote. However, he said that the question was, did the council want to make a point or open the street? If it wanted to open the street, it needed to have a vote. Mr. Boles agreed with Mr. Robinette's remarks. He said that the community would believe that the council had not met the spirit of the charter amendment and would respond to that issue rather than to the issues of downtown. Ms. Ehrman said that a vote on Olive Street would pave the way for the vote to come regarding the library. She said no time would be gained by avoiding a vote. The council discussed the issue of the voters pamphlet. Mr. Boles recalled that the council requested the City Attorney's Office to investigate a situation that could bring up a home rule issue that could be resolved in the City's favor. The City Attorney had indicated that the council could most appropriately do so by considering a ballot question that was not a "yes" or "no" question. Ms. Bascom said that she supported referring the issue of the reopening to the voters but did not support the voter's pamphlet. Mr. McDonald said that the council should consider the home rule issue at a later time. He said while he was sympathetic to Mr. Rutan's remarks, there was more at stake than the reopening of the street. The council's credibility and the credibility of the Eugene Decisions process was also at stake. Mr. Nicholson expressed his concern regarding the advisory nature of a vote. He said that the council should avoid such half measures as they would not be satisfactory to either side concerned about the issue. Mr. Green indicated his opposition to the motion. He did not believe that the public would make a distinction between Olive Street and Willamette Street. Mr. Green said that the council should make a decision about the street and proceed with the reopening. The motion passed, 5:3 (Mr. Rutan, Mr. Green, and Mr. Nicholson voting no). Mr. McDonald moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to not issue a voter's pamphlet in conjunction with the referral of the opening of Olive Street to the voters. The motion passed, 6:2 (Ms. Ehrman and Mr. Nicholson voting in opposition). MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 17, 1992 Page 5