11/23/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Smith wondered if it was the intent that City Council would be making recommendations in these categories for the Economic Commission. e Mr. Porter replied yes. Mr. Haws felt it important for Council to become involved, but only under the conditions as recommended. He questioned the 40-percent representation, noting it was his understanding the final appointments would be approved by the County Commissioners. He thought City Council should have the final approval. Secondly, he said, since the membership was supposed to be citizens from Eugene, he felt it important Council appoint only Eugene residents, noting a Lane Community College board member might not be a resident of Eugene. He wondered if a modification should be made to state Eugene residents only. Mr. Porter replied the intent was to have Eugene citizen membership only. He said as far as the final appointing power, that might be some political negotia- tion City Council would have to work out with the County Commissioners and L-COG. Mr. Delay asked for clarification as to whether Mr. Porter was saying the City Council would present a list of persons from these categories to be members on the Commission. Mr. Porter replied that was the intent. He said if the County Commissioners did not like the list, then it would be a matter to be worked out between the two bodies and staff. He said he felt these categories were a good representation of citizens in the community and would have a balancing effect. He continued that City Council ought to have a say on who is- on the Commission, and that was the intent of the memo. He reiterated if the Commissioners did not accept the list, then it would .have to be negotiated. Mr. Obie expressed concern that Council was getting involved in the e appointment process. He said the issue at hand was whether or not Council was going to accept joining the Economic Improvement Commission. Mr. Haws felt the issue, as explained by Mr. Whitelaw, was that an economic situation exists in Lane County and in Eugene where there are certain particular kinds of needs for economic development. As he remembered Mr. Whitelaw's presentation, he said it was suggested the community should train people to put them in jobS and a vehicle was Reeded to obtain that goal. He understood staff was saying this was the best vehicle available. He felt if that were the suggestion, and this was the best vehicle available, he would only support joining this commission with the understanding of conditions as outlined by staff. He felt Council should proceed with caution and control. Mr. Delay thought the reason Council was talking about appointment was, to him, that was really the issue. He said there were two elements involved: 1) That Eugene should have some quasi-proportionate represen- tation on the Commission; and 2) Eugene should be sure to have some kind of review power to be sure action cannot be taken that would be counter productive to Eugene. He said Council should be assured that Eugene maintains a certain degree of control over the direction the group takes. He also felt the other jurisdictions should have the same review power. 11/23/77--8 e g~3