CC Minutes - 06/09/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Kelly thought the current situation related to confidentiality at executive sessions was sufficient. He questioned what the penalty for such an action would be. He suggested that the council's mutual respect and professional demeanor enforced the confidential nature of executive sessions. While he had not been tempted to disclose the subject of an executive session in the past, he could imagine a situation where, at the risk of his future electability, he might feel the need to disclose such situation, and he preferred not to institute a rule against it. Mr. Kelly added that such a situation would be a very rare, "once-in-a-lifetime" situation. Mayor Torrey asked what the threshold for a conflict of interest was, and when it must be declared. Mr. Klein said that one has to have an actual conflict to declare a conflict. If a councilor had such a conflict, it must be disclosed when the council discussed the subject. If the conflict was a potential one that might not necessarily affect a councilor, that must also be disclosed, and the involved councilor could participate in the council's discussion. In the case of an actual conflict, the conflict must be disclosed, and the councilor could not participate in the meeting. Mr. Klein said that was only at the meeting that the conflict must be disclosed. Ms. Bettman determined from Mr. Klein that one's need to declare a conflict existed at any time when one was a member of a decision-making body. Mayor Torrey determined there were no further questions or comments, and moved on to the next item. C.WORK SESSION: West University Neighborhood Task Force Report The council was joined for the item by Assistant City Manager Jim Carlson and former Acting Assistant City Manager Jim Croteau. Jeannine Parisi of the Eugene Police Department and Richie Weinman of the Planning and Development Department were also present for the item. Mr. Carlson provided background on the formation of the Joint University of Oregon-City of Eugene Task Force on the West University Neighborhood. He reminded the council that the task force was formed as a result of the riot that occurred in the neighborhood in late August 2002. Mr. Carlson emphasized the importance of moving from the study to implementation stage given current conditions in the neighborhood. He said that some progress had been made. The police foot patrol in the neighborhood was being funded, commencing July 1. Half the funding was being provided by the University of Oregon. In addition, as a result of the task force's findings, staff recommended the use of Community Development Block Grant funds to underwrite the cost of additional street lighting. That request had been funded. Mr. Croteau acknowledged task force members present, including John Brown of the Police Commission, Cheryl Eyster of the University of Oregon, Carmen Von Klein of Von Klein Property Management, Christine Lewandowski of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Sheila Abbott of the University Small Business Association, and students Jesse Harding and Jackie Reed. He also noted the presence of Dan Williams and Ann Levitt of the University of Oregon. Mr. Croteau emphasized the public safety and livability focuses of the task force's recommendations. Mr. Croteau noted the recent disturbance in the neighborhood on Saturday, June 6. He believed that in spite of that incident, progress had made been toward improving conditions in the neighborhood. He characterized the neighborhood as an important one that needs to be MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 9, 2003 Page 6 Work Session