CC Minutes - 02/27/02 Work Session

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Mr. Kelly asked if the Forest Legacy request was for funding for acquisition. Mr. Duckett said yes, the Forest Legacy Program was a new acquisition program. Staff had a short time to submit a grant application, and had submitted a memorandum to the council through the Council Committee on Intergovernmental Relations to familiarize councilors with the program. The program was intended to underwrite the acquisition of land for protection of forest habitats; the parcels identified for acquisition were on the Ridgeline Trail from Spencer Butte to the Willow Creek headwaters. Ms. Taylor hoped that the Forest Legacy moneys could be used to purchase forest lands near the Amazon headwaters. She asked if the request for funding for the National Guard Armory implied City Council approval of the new armory proposed for location on 30th Avenue. Mr. Meisner clarified that the City did not write the summary for the armory request. He said that the City supported moving the armory from its present site so that property could be used for a juvenile justice center, but had not endorsed a new location. He said that representatives would make the situation clear on the United Front trip to Washington, DC. There being no other councilors requesting to speak, Mayor Torrey acknowledged the meeting as the last that Mr. Johnson would attend as City Manager. He thanked Mr. Johnson for his outstanding service, said he would be missed, and invited him to come back to share his wisdom with the council at anytime. Mr. Kelly said that Mr. Johnson would be missed beyond words. He had learned a good deal from Mr. Johnson and he had been a great help to him, even when they disagreed. He congratulated Mr. Carlson on his appointment as City Manager pro tern. Ms. Bettman also thanked Mr. Johnson and said she hated to see him go. Even when they disagreed, she had always admired him for his professionalism, competence, and experience. His would be tough shoes to fill. She wished him well. Mr. Meisner said that Mr. Johnson would be missed as both manager and friend. He said the fact that Mr. Johnson was manager had made it possible for him to decide to run for a second term. He said he would miss his leadership but thought Mr. Johnson had prepared Mr. Carlson well. He said he would never forget that Mr. Johnson had taken the reins of the City organization at a time when morale was very Iow, and raised it within a few months. Mr. Rayor said Mr. Johnson was the best manager of people and the best overall manager he had ever worked with. He thanked Mr. Johnson for his service. Ms. Taylor said she would look forward to seeing Mr. Johnson again. She said he had been a good listener and took it well when people disagreed with him. Ms. Nathanson said that Mr. Johnson had provided great service to the citizens and community. She considered him a friend and thanked him. Mr. Farr said that when Mr. Johnson took over, he had brought the organization back together very quickly. He thanked him for that. He said that he saved the City more than once during the 47/50 budge reductions. He said that Mr. Johnson would be missed at the council table, but not in the community, where he hoped to see him again. He looked forward to working with Mr. Carlson. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 27, 2002 Page 8 Work Session