CC Minutes - 09/10/03 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Kelly thought the list generated an interesting discussion but questioned its utility. He asked what it would mean if the council adopted such a list, or if it adopted a list on a split vote. He suggested that the council set aside the list rather than spend more time trying to revise it with the goal of adoption. Ms. Nathanson agreed with Mr. Kelly's remarks. She understood the points made by Ms. Bettman and Ms. Taylor regarding the political nature of the council and the nature of its decisions. She was disappointed by the discussion and somewhat saddened, although she was unsure why. She did not think the discussion was worth more time. She did not feel optimistic that the council wanted to work together; instead, it sat as individuals and voted yes or no for items. Mr. Meisner agreed with the remarks of Ms. Nathanson. He also felt sad that the council was choosing to regard itself as a group of nine competitive individuals with no concept that it was a body. The council did not appear to be inclined to work toward being such a body. While he liked the idea of the list, he did not believe that its adoption would make a difference to the current council, although it might help future councils. To the degree that the council acted as individuals, it invited ad hominem attacks or support for individuals rather than as a body. Mr. Kelly observed that at the last process session, the council discussed one phrase for a considerable time, and he had hope from the council's agreement that it would not place anything in the goals that did not have the support of six of eight councilors. Ms. Bettman said that people have different values. She believed that the process will end with the broadest possible statement that all would interpret their way. The majority would have its way in the end. Ms. Taylor noted that all the councilors agreed on the library, even when there were changes on the council, and all had worked for a new library. She did not see forcing people to agree on details when they had real philosophical differences. Mayor Torrey observed that he found a 6:2 vote to be a "win." He said that the council operated under democratic processes, and councilors would not always get what they wanted. He said that the councilors should take the wins that they could. Ms. Taylor asked how the mayor felt when the vote went against him. Mayor Torrey reminded her of the fact that he had not prevailed in advocating for books for children, but said that he did not dwell on it. Ms. Utecht asked Mr. Taylor to discuss his thoughts on legacies. Mr. Taylor said that the council had goals and objectives in place. He suggested that the council consider three things it would like to accomplish as a group as legacies to the community. He noted that, in many cases, a minority idea becomes the majority idea over time as a community accepts an idea. Ms. Utecht suggested that the council think about how it could respond to Mr. Taylor's suggestion. 3. Finalization of Council Operating Agreements MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 10, 2003 Page 6 Process Session