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

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Ms. Walston reviewed the proposed changes to the council's operating agreements. She noted a suggestion from Mr. Poling to reduce the number of councilors needed to get an item on the agenda from five to four. Councilors discussed the concept at length and agreed that four councilors would be sufficient to get an item on the agenda. The council discussed a suggestion from Ms. Nathanson that the council schedule short work session items that gave the sponsor of an item time to explain the idea. Councilors agreed that it was not necessary to use the poll form to explain an item. Mr. Kelly recommended that Section 2.01 be modified with a sentence that read ~The city manager and mayor may then decide to place the item on a future agenda." There was no objection. The council discussed a concern raised by Ms. Nathanson about how a councilor could request that action be postponed in his or her absence. Councilors agreed that the agreements covered the issue but that it was not always clear that the council would take action and better communication was essential. Ms. Bettman referred to Section 1.05, Public Forum, which indicated that people could not speak on an item decided by the Hearings Official, and asked what happened if someone wanted to complain about the outcome of the process. Mayor Torrey said that his practice was to allow people to speak about anything they wanted unless the item was on the evening's agenda. Mr. Kelly asked for a legal opinion. Staff indicated that it would follow up. Councilors discussed a concern raised by Ms. Bettman in regard to Section 9.03 about whether councilors in attendance at conferences or organizations such as the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) should vote in a manner consistent with City positions. Mr. Meisner maintained that councilors should not be able to vote contrary to City positions at National League of Cities or LOC meetings. Ms. Bettman concurred, as did Mr. Kelly. Ms. Walston indicated she would follow up with revised text. Ms. Bettman requested a legal opinion on the issue. 4. Skill-Building: Parliamentary Procedure Mr. Klein joined the council for a brief training on parliamentary procedure. Ms. Solomon left the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Mr. Meisner left the meeting at 8:41 p.m. Mayor Torrey adjourned the process session at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dennis Taylor City Manager MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 10, 2003 Page 7 Process Session