CC Minutes - 08/11/03 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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that the Central Area Transportation Study (CATS) and the Downtown Refinement Plan processes had not included enough opportunity for students to provide input and suggested that their approval be postponed. He asserted that the CATS would make Franklin Boulevard impassable for pedestrians. He provided councilors with photocopies of articles with information related to his concerns. Mr. Vishanoff recommended holding a planning forum with University students. Jeanne-Marie Moore, 2852 Willamette Street #103, spoke in support of including a ramp for accessibility in the design of the Lane County Courthouse. She related that she had been in buildings in which fire drills had been conducted and that people in wheelchairs had been advised to stay put and wait for the fire drill to be completed. She declared a ramp to be the only safe way to get people out of a burning building. She reminded those present that elevators had not provided escape for the people in the World Trade Center tragedy. She urged the council to take a stand on the issue. Ms. Moore added that she was a therapist and expressed her support for the placement of the POW/MIA flag on top of Skinner Butte as "symbols mean everything" for people who are grieving. Mayor Torrey closed the Public Forum and invited comments from councilors. Councilor Nathanson, in response to testimony regarding the cattery and the budget process, explained that prior to the budget process, the Budget Committee had gone through a prioritization exercise. She related that she had identified animal control as an item of public safety. She said that financial circumstances indicated that the animal control and animal shelter operations would have to undergo some kind of restructuring. She added that it had become apparent that the situation would have to attain a level of crisis before it would be addressed. She requested information on possible options to mitigate the crisis. Councilor Nathanson asked City Manager Dennis Taylor what it would take to have the POW/MIA flying on Skinner Butte on September 19. She expressed her hope that, at a minimum, the City would fly the flag on the six days that the nation had designated in remembrance of the POWs and MIAs who had not been recovered. Councilor Pap~ concurred with Councilor Nathanson. He commented that the issue seemed to be not so much whether or not to fly the flag, but rather what precedent would be set. He noted that there had been difficulty in the past with the procedure used to establish memorials. He felt that something could be done for September 19 while the City worked on a policy on how to proceed with the creation of physical memorials. City Manager Taylor stated that staff was still trying to attain some clarity. He thought it likely that there would be a response in time to prepare for September 19. MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 11, 2003 Page 7 Regular Meeting