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<br />Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 7:0. <br /> <br /> <br />9. ACTION: <br /> <br />A Special Ordinance Granting an Exemption to the Application of Eugene Code, 1971, Section <br />6.200 (Ordinance to Renew Five-Year Exception to Application of Eugene Code 6.000 (Open <br />Burning) for Prescribed Wetland Management Burning) <br /> <br />Councilor Solomon, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved that the City Council <br />adopt Council Bill 4927, an ordinance concerning a five-year exception to the <br />Eugene Code for prescribed wetland management burning. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman said it was disturbing to her that a concerned citizen had been unaware of the public <br />hearing that had been held on this item. She expressed appreciation for the explanation that had been <br />provided and for staff’s response to that citizen. She asked for an explanation of the noticing process. <br /> <br />Natural Resources Manager for the Parks and Open Space Division, Sarah Medary, stated that the process <br />had begun in early May. She related that staff had begun preparing materials at that time to meet the <br />deadlines. She said notice of the hearing had been published in The Register-Guard on May 26 in the same <br />manner as all public hearings. She added that it had also been listed in the public meetings calendar. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman ascertained from staff that the public hearing was publicized in the form of a legal <br />notice. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor emphasized that the hearing was publicized in the way that all of these types of <br />actions were publicized. He said since this action was a renewal of a previous action and was backed by <br />scientific information provided by Parks and Open Space staff, it did not seem to require any extraordinary <br />public involvement process. <br /> <br />In response to a question from the City Manager, Ms. Medary acknowledged that no one spoke at the <br />public hearing and the only communication received had been the email sent earlier in the day. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman commented that she really relied on the public to bring forward issues that would give <br />her a more comprehensive look at the decisions before her. She wondered if it would be possible to publish <br />City Council agendas and notices for public hearings on the Metro Television channel before or after the <br />scheduled meetings so people could see what was coming up and be engaged in issues they were concerned <br />about in a timely way. <br /> <br />City Manager Taylor pointed out that this information was available on the City Web site. He thought <br />staff could explore the possibility of including notice on Metro Television. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman opined that when no one testified at a public hearing on an important issue it repre- <br />sented a failure on the part of the council. She felt it was the council and staff’s responsibility to make sure <br />the public was informed. <br /> <br />Councilor Taylor said she knew the two people who were concerned about this item. She asserted that they <br />were active in their neighborhood association and seemed to be on top of the issues. She wondered if it <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council June 26, 2006 Page 10 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br />