08/09/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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C, Charter Revision Mayor Anderson noted this was further public hearing only, and that no action would be taken at this meeting with regard to revision of the City Charter. -e He called attention to draft copies available for those wishing them. Public hearing was opened. 1-A-4 EstherLoy for the League of Women Voters read a prepared statement, copy of through which was presented to the Council. The League suggested that election on the 1-B-8 Charter be held in January, rather than in September, to give time for public study of the revised document. William Carlstrom, 1091 West Broadway; Monte Marshall, 1865 East 28th Avenue; and Michael A. Gravino, 2850 Kincaid Street concurred with the League's request for delaying election on the revised Charter. They were particularly concerned about wording of the freeway amendment and asked for more time to give the re- vised version more detailed study. They felt the wording of the initial amend- ment differed significantly from the revised wording. Charles Stephens, chairman of the Library Board, with regard to appointment of the Librarian, urged the Council to include the wording recommended by the Council subcommittee in meeting with Board members - that the Librarian be appointed by the City Manager only upon recommendation of the Board. He said the Board had not agreed unanimously to that wording - two of the members felt the Board should continue to be the appointing authority rather than as provided in the draft which makes the appointment of the Librarian the sole responsibility of the City Manager. However, all felt the Board should be directly involved in selection of the Librarian. Ray Wolfe, 1926 Potter Street, suggested several changes in the proposed Charter .- revision with regard to the EWEB amendment: (1) The addition of wording with regard to generation, collection, and distribution of power that would require utilization of the most energy efficient and environmentally sound manner; (2) addition of a section that would clearly define the responsibilities of the EWEB general manager; and (3) addition of a section that would set out the geo- graphical limits of Board representation. Mr. Wolfe also suggested inclusion of sections that would provide for public participation in city goverance and a balanced and unbiased presentation of information with regard to public issues. Orlando J. Hollis, South Park Building, spoke for the members of the Eugene Water & Election Board, urging the Council to include in the proposed Charter revi- sion the working draft as presented on July 28, 1976. He read Section 24 of that draft which provided for election of Board members and filling of vacan- cies by the Board itself. Mr. Hollis reviewed in detail the history of the Water Board since its establishment by the original City Charter in 1905 and implementation by ordinance in 1911. He said the intent at that time was that the Board should fill any vacancy by appointment of aperson from the ward in which the vacancy occurred, otherwise the Council at that time would not have adopted an ordinance contrary to a Charter so recently adopted. He said that practice has been consistently followed to the present time. Elections held at various times over the years were noted by Mr. Hollis in which the voters consistently upheld Charter language that vested power and authority for opera- tion of the water and electric utility with the Board itself. Mr. Hollis called attention to the tradeoff in language of the proposed Charter . revision, agreed to by all in a meeting between Council subcommittee and Board representatives, icluding staff of both bodies. This agreement, he said, made 8/9/76 - 6 3q~