11/10/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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B. Invitation of the City of Kathmandu, Nepal, to Become a Sister City Professor Tom Ballinger of the University of Oregon was present to outline. the proposal. Since World War II, he said, attention of the State Department and the nation focused on Asia has been noticeable. The country of Nepal e is on the southern border of Tibet and falls into an area of greater and newer concern as regards American foreign policy. particularly exciting, he feels, is the fact that the request to become a sister city came to the City of Eugene rat~er than Eugene initiating the request. In 1955-60, he added, 38 Nepalese students attended the University. There are still 3 here. Person to person contact seems imperative and, because of the uniqueness of the University, students will continue to come here. A former Nepalese student is now the ambassador to France; his son is, today, a pre-med student on the U of 0 campus so the program has reached the second generation. Mayor Anderson conunented that Dr. Ballinger is prepared to spearhead any program which might resul t. By way of background, he said that up to this date Eugene's only sister city has been Chinju, Korea. While it was a close relationship in the late 1950s and early 60s, it has not been close lately probably because of the infrequency of visits by Eugeneans, as the city is not on an easily accessible travel path. Too, the political situation in Korea does not foster a relationship of that kind. The Mayor's International Cooperation Comrndttee has given their blessing to continuing the relationship with Chinju, as there is still in existence a rrodest scholarship program and. some infrequent exchanges. By adding another city, Eugene could become rrore active in the sister city type of program. As far as the program is concerned, funds are not being requested. Eugene should feel honored to accept the invitation, Mayor Anderson concluded. Mr. Bradley requested a Council tour of the site. Mr. Murray rroved seconded by Mr. Hamel to authorize sending e word to the Mayor and City Council of Kathmandu, Nepal, accept~ng Comm with appreciation their invitation to become a sister city and to 10/29/75 authorize the comrndttee to proceed on activities. Motion carried unanirrously. Approve C.Consideration of Revised Growth Study Planning Director has prepared a rnerro dated October 24 which has been distributed to Council, outlining the history, concerns and goals of the growth study. The merro suggests that the City Council and Planning Comndssion members who served on the Eugene Conunimity Goals Conunittee be requested to meet to develop for Council consic1eration an area of emphasis for this year.'s growth study effort and a work outline to complete the effort. It was further suggested that the City make application for funds to assist in further evaluations and actions, should financial planning assistance become available through LCDC or HUD. Mr. Williams raised concerns as to what the conunittee would be doing in this area. The position was written. into the community goals document with much thought, he said, and the LCOG staff was in agreement with the fundamental thesis in it, that being that any effort is an urban area type of thing and should have philosophical and financial support of other government entities. Mr. Williams is by and large comrndtted to that kind of philosophy. Bill Sugaya, planning Department, noted that it was probably the intention of the Planning Director to reconvene the committee for the purpose'of raising e specific issues, testing the ground and developing a focus for study. Clarification of this type might alleviate some of the reluctance by other jurisdictions to participate. 11/10/75 - 14 989