06/14/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. IV. CONSIDERATION OF ISSUE RE: FORt~TION OF ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION-- e Memo and proposed bylaws distributed. Manager said the purpose of the Council discussion today was to provide guidance to the Council representative, Eric Haws, to the L-COG Board which is now considering bylaws for the formation of the Economic Improve- ment Commission {EIC}. Issues of concern were identified for council: The one man, one vote rule; financing; staff assistance and creation of the EIC, and appointment of a director. Regarding the voting power, some members of the L-COG Board feel that by invoking the one man, one vote rule, E~ene would have too much potential authority in decision-making process. anager su~gested the Council could use a one vote per 5000 or even one vote per 10,000 population. The effect of using a process by enlarging the number of persons represented would reduce the numerical vote influence of the larger units of government. On the basis of a one vote per 1,UUU population, Eugene and Springfield combined would have 52 percent of the votes cast; on the basis of one vote per 5,OUO population, combined Eugene-Springfield would have 45 percent. Regarding the formation of the EIC, Lane County wants initially to provide the staff work and financing. However, City staff feels L-COG should provide the initial formation of the staff and that all jurisdictions should contribute financially. The information distributed did not address the question as to why some groups are altogether against formation of EIC. However, Eugene is increasingly interested in the formation because it would qualify for EDA grants and the City is seeking a higher level of e commitment for economic planning in the County and more particularly for all governments. One of the roles of the commission would be to annually develop an overall economic plan for the area, which is now being done by LCOG. Regarding EDA grants, Manager said the city is now seeking such for the Civic Center auditorium development. Mr. Delay said he was not encouraged about moving away from the stance of a population-based representation. He said after 1979, the City of Eugene would have about six persons which would give it 30 percent of the vote on a strict membership basis. Springfield would have 10 percent, giving these two jurisdictions 40 percent of the vote representing 60 percent of the population. However, the County would have 6U percent of the vote representing 4U percent of the population. He continued further that the actual control would be by the two rural County Commissioners who would have control over selection of nine members. Regarding the undue power for the City, he felt the concern was the exact opposite: Are Eugene and Springfield adequately represented? He felt the issue was to ensure the jurisdictions are comfortable that actions will not be taken that will be counter-productive to the jurisdictions. He thus felt the one man, one vote was the best assurance. Mayor Keller felt that to be the best approach, noting it was the Council's responsibility to Eugene citizens. He noted also that vote had not been invoked in the seven-year experience with L-COG. Assistant Manager said the one man, one vote had been included in 1971 as part of Federal regula- tions. e 6/14/78 - 5 ~~3