07/29/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Hatch stated that there are probably no materials more respected than 2,4-0, and it was easier to get people involved with rumors than with facts. The facts e are available from each point of view. His children have not been harmed by this innocuous weed killer, and he does not feel it is poisonous. Danger is related to exposure and dosages received. The use is being reduced with alternatives, and he is not sure manual control is effective in weedy turf. He would rather not be in the vicinity of parks with weeds. He is not sure that the majority of Eugene citizens dislike the use of 2,4-0. He hopes the council will make a decision based on input from knowledgeable experts on both sides. He read an article from Dow Chemical on 2,4-0. He said he does not feel that the producer of the brochure would cause its accuracy to be any less just because they also manufacture the substance. Ms. Wooten stated she did not believe a debate on the merits of use of herbicides is appropriate. She does not think this controversy will be resolved within her lifetime. If the council chooses to err, it should be on the side of health and safety. Mr. Gleason added that one item in Tier II is equipment to maintain healthy turf without use of chemicals. IV. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE SELECTION PROCESS (memo, ordinance distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Sandra Franklint Municipal Court. Ms. Franklin stated that her presentation is in response to the request for more information of alternative selection processes for municipal judges. Several options are available. For selection, the council could choose to have: a - bar poll, applications from interested candidates, or nominations of eligible attorneys by the councilors, and any of these could be handled through a screening process of the Mayor, the council, or staff. By charter, the council may appoint judges by terms and at salaries it specifies. In regard to terms, the options include: specific terms of office; a continuing appointment termi- nable without cause, or a continuing appointment with periodic formal reviews. Several Oregon cities were contacted regarding their methods of judicial selec- tion and retention. Performance appraisal methods vary from city to city, with most of them being informal. The council was provided with a tabulation of the results of the contacts by staff. There are many possible systems by which judges are selected, appointed, and reviewed, but there is limited comparability to Eugene's situation. Mr. Obie stated that he would like the department heads' and judges' opinions on the proposed ordinance. Ms. Franklin responded that this would change the current system and could cause it to be more political than it is now. Also, it would limit the council's options somewhat. Judge Bocci, Municipal Judge, stated that he does not understand the purpose of this proposed amendment. The current system, although allowing the same judge to continue, provides the City with good service. The City's municipal court is reknowned throughout the state. He cannot understand how this ordinance would give the council any greater authority than it now has. The council can discharge a judge now with or without cause. If this is to be a mechanism for performance review, then the council could have a committee look specifically at that issue. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 29, 1981 Page 7