08/11/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Hartman described activities of the -[roup, similar to that of greeters groups in Portland and Salem. He said they met at var.ious places 1 n tuwn to welcome new- comers to the ci ty - new businessmen, di yni tar.i es, etc.- in order to become ac- - quaintcd with them and their families, wllat they do, etc. -~1t.J/Ibers lJf the group .. -pr~sent introduced themselves and stated who they rt3pn>sLnttHl.- commc.'rcial enter- .. pr~ses, health serv~ces, schools, realtors, s(~rv~ce or'JalilzJ.t.;uns. Councilmen Haws and Bradley inquired about the c.ritelia on which it was decided someone should be ~ guest of the group, how it was determined someone should be welcomed. Mr. Hartman answered that people expressing an interest in establish- ing a new business in the area, visiting dign.itaries to the c.ity or University, new people in government, wereinv.ited. He said that the new city manager, Charles Henry, would be the guest of the group next week. Calls are cleared through the Chamber oFfice if visitors are expected who should be we.lcorned in this fa8hion. He said a steering committee is being formed for informational purposes so that an advance welcome can be planned. He cited the exampJe of the /lniversity's call with regard to people from ten or twelve states planning to at- tend the summer sess.! on, aSking that they bl...' given the greeters' welcome _ rolling out the group's red cal'pet and giving the "welcome to Eugene" handshake on arrival. Other examples were the opening of the new Lipman's store at Valley River, welcoming delegates to the recent Stretch-n-Sew convention. Counci lman Bradley wondered if .i t would be more appropriate for the requests for the greeters to come through the city manager's office if the group was to be representing the city. Councilman Hamel didn't think so, he thought it was a Chamber function. If the city knew of visiting dignitaries, they could inform the Chamber office. But Mr. Bradley thought there conceivably could be a case of someone's visiting the city involved in ~ policy issue adverse to the city's posi- tion and the city would not wallt them welcomed. Mayor Anderson thought anyone coming to Eugene would be welcome regardless of their political views, that really should not be an issue. If everyone was aware of the program, merely making a a phone c~l~ to the Chamber would suffice. He suggested some official sanct.ion of ,., the acU v~ ty would help promote the greeters idea. Corom Mr. Murray moved second by Mr. Hamel that the Council approve and 8/6/75 autho~ize establishment of the Chamber greeters group as the official Approve greeters for the city of Eugene, and that appreciation be expressed for the group's willingness to serve in that capacity. Councilman Bradley wanted some interaction between the Greeters groups and the city taff, or some criteria or guidelines designating those who would be greeted. He felt that without some guidance there was the chance for some type of discrimination. Neither did he favor a broad grant of power to the organization without any control by the city when the group was officially representing the city. Councilman Haws wondered how other cities handled such greeters groups. Councilman Keller didn't understand Mr. Bradley's concern. He thought it was making a complex situation of a simple matter, that staff had more important things to worry about. He saw no possible chance of offending anyone and thought the proposed greeting would be a friendly gesture welcoming people who were visiting Eugene. Manager said he had no objection to relaying calls for greeting if some dignitary was expected to visit the city. Councilman Murray felt there was reason to be concerned that a group might misuse official connections with the city, but he didn't feel it was necessary to provide for any particular review. Given the assurances that ~ere given by the Greeters organization, he said, it ap~eared reasonable to.proceed WIth the. program as presented. Mayor Anderson added that If the program was mIsused, the CouncIl ~ would become aware of it and could withdraw any support given. " 8/11/75 - 19 45<0