07/22/1981 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Hamel stated that ~e finds it hard to make the decision against the residents who would lose 10 feet of their land. He does not think that anyone on the e Bicycle Committee or the council would appreciate the same situation on their land. He does not feel this project would contribute to decreasing the general downtown traffic flow of automobiles and feels this would be mostly used for local trips such as going to the sore. He indicated that he would vote for the motion and against this particular proposal. Roll call vote; motion carried 4:2 with Councilors Smith, Lindberg, Hamel, and Obie voting aye and Councilors Miller and Schue voting no. V. CONSIDERATION OF FRIENDLY AREA NEIGHBORS CHARTER REVISIONS (memo, proposed revisions distributed) Mr. Obie asked why these particular charter revisions are being considered by the council. Mr. Gleason responded that the revisions are too major to be handled administratively by staff. The City Attorney felt that this item should come before the council. Mr. Obie asked why the changes are proposed. Rick Bliss, Friendly Area Neighbors, stated that there have been proble~s in the past of disorganization with this group. In an effort to revitalize their neighborhood group, they have looked at the charter for possible ways to revise it. Many problems in their area are from lack of participation and the proposed changes relate to the number of people required for a quorum, neighbor- hood boundaries, etc. These proposals came from those who have remained active e in the group. They identified problems and gave input on the changes that are being proposed. Mr. Obie asked if this area is receiving Community Development money. Mr. Gleason responded that they are not and they are not a future target area. Mr. Lindberg indicated that, with the changes, it still looks like a democratic process. The Citizen Involvement Commitee is looking at the membership provis- ions of each neighborhood charter and he sees no reason not to approve this proposal. Mr. Hamel stated that he does not feel it is democratic with the quorum of 25 members being reduced to a quorum of 15 to represent 6,000 people. Ms. Miller added that the charter revisions proposed would add owners of busi- nesses to the group and that has been an ongoing dilemma. Mr. Obie stated he is not excited about employees of community schools, employees of businesses, and other who work in the area but do not reside there being involved. He asked how small a group would have to be before it does not represent a neighborhood. Ms. Schue stated that this is the neighborhood that borders Willamette Street and it has had problems with the Gut. Inclusion of businesses could make it easier to deal with their special problem. Mr. Lindberg added that some neighborhood groups include business owners and some do not. Until there is e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 22, 1981 Page 12