10/25/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . Mr. Obie objected to the advertising by Tri-Agency which brings more business and thus generates more costs. He felt the two key questions e to be answered were: 1) Are costs being subsidized; and 2) should the City be in that business? Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, to withdraw the distemper shot services to the public. Assistant Manager said there was some diversity of opinion in the community and the Council may want to consider taking public testimony. Mr. Delay noted this could not be a unilateral decision as it involved Lane County. He had heard no reason why this service should be discontinued. Two years ayo the Council had decided to go ahead with a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, licensing, and creating more responsi- bility on the part of citizens for their animals. He felt this distemper shot program was part of a whole program being provided by Tri-Agency. He saw no rationale against it and felt it was nit pi c k i ny . Mr. Obie clarified the intent of this motion was to stop the service right now. He felt if there was enough citizen interest and demand, those wishes could be made known and Council could reconsider. He felt the City may be providing some services to the community that many citizens do not know about, do not want, and he felt it timely the City put a stop to such services. He did favor a public hearing if there was enough interest in the community. Ms. Smith .supported the concern regarding adding more City services. - However, she expressed another concern regarding time and costs of continued public hearings for each service that might be offered to the community. Mr. Williams felt possibly it would not be long before government would be providing all services if the philosophy behind the providing of services was a low-cost service. Mr. Delay reiterated he felt it necessary to look at the entire program) and zeroing in on this one issue was putting it entirely out of context. He said it seemed there were a handful of citizens who have a particular pecuniary interest and see themselves as being unfairly treated by the City government. Opposed to that small group are thousands of citizens who do need the low-cost service. He felt it was normal, appropriate, and good in terms of programs to deal with animal control. He felt it important the Council look at this issue in context of the entire situation, rather than isolating this one small matter. Mayor Keller felt the key issue to be considered by Council was that it was dealing with Lane County. He felt it more appropriate for Council to make a recommendation for consideration by the Tri-Agency Board, and get documented proof as to the concerns over this program. He noted the struggle. Tri-Agency has had, and felt the Eugene City tt 10/25/78--4 102.