04/11/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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had indicated at the polls. He felt this action by Council showed a lack of respect for the voters. If government is to be meaningful, elected officials have to respect the wishes of the citizens. He requested no other official statement be made by the City government ~ on the issue. ., John Hubbard, 215 East Beacon Drive, reviewed election returns by wards, which indicated every ward except Ward 3 (Delay) voted to repeal the ordinance passed by Council to include homosexuals in the human rights non-discrimination clause. Mayor Keller responded as to why he had appropriated time for these statements. He felt it to be in the best interests of the city to allow citizens to speak their wishes before the Council. He made it clear this did not deal with any particular issue, but that he was responding to the wishes of the people to address the Council. This was his way to support an open form of government and hoped that would continue in Eugene. He noted there was not time on the Monday1s agenda and thus it was scheduled for this Wednesday. Ms. Schue noted Mr. Hi lty I S comments about wards and preci nets were incorrect. She said that no Councilorls ward contains just one precinct. Mr. Obie appreciated the Mayor allowing citizens to speak. He felt the Council had a definite credibility factor that goes beyond the issue, in that Councilors are representatives of voters of the com- munity. Thus they have a responsibility to represent what the voters wa nt . e Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that Council direct any staff or persons representing themselves as representatives of the City, i.e., human rights commissions, to indicate in their testi- mony before the State Legislature that the Council supported the bills; to include in their testimony the results from the voters of Eugene that came about from the City's referendum on the sexual orientation ordinance; and to include the Council IS split vote regarding the proposed State legislation. Ms. Smith noted her amendment presented at last week1s Council meeting to allow the Human Rights Council to testify in support of the bill, but that the Council not take a position in support. She did feel the Council action indicating support was inappropriate and she supported Mr. Obiels motion. Mr. Haws questioned how the motion would be enforced and to whom it would apply. Mr. Obie responded it would apply to anybody testifying on an official basis for the City of Eugene. Manager said it would be enforced by so instructing the City's lobbyist, staff, and members of the commissions. 4/11/79--4 e 215