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There were three remaining items raised by councilors: 1) redistricting, 2) living wage, and 3) <br />whistle blower protections. Ms. Walston noted that information about redistricting was included in <br />the meeting packet, and the council was holding a work session on the subject of the living wage <br />on August 14. Regarding the issue of whistle blower protection, Ms. Walston noted the <br />distribution of information regarding State law on June 24. A quick Internet survey had provided <br />no further information about cities with charter provisions related to whistle blower protection. <br /> <br />Ms. Walston called attention to the resolutions the council would be asked to consider on July 31, <br />which were distributed to councilors at their places. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlson distributed confidential information from an outside legal counsel he asked the council <br />to review prior to the next meeting. He noted the information was labeled confidential as it was <br />exempt from disclosure under attorney-client privilege. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey asked Council President Kelly how he wished to proceed with the order of items, <br />suggesting that the council could determine, using a simple up or down vote, whether it wished to <br />consider the items. Ms. Bettman objected to any attempt to control the content of the meeting <br />through process. She asserted that there was a council majority that voted as a block that could <br />choose to eliminate items that had been under consideration for months with no further review. <br />She wanted to take the items in order they were put on the table. <br /> <br /> Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to take the items in the order <br /> listed. The motion passed, 6:1:1; Ms. Nathanson voting no, and Mr. Fart <br /> being out of the room at the time the vote was taken. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson spoke to the issue of redistricting and her support of greater frequency of <br />redistricting to the extent that money and technology allowed. Mayor Torrey determined from Mr. <br />Klein that what Ms. Nathanson wished to accomplish could be done through ordinance rather than <br />through the charter. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson requested a work session on a process for more routine redistricting. Mr. Fart and <br />Mr. Meisnerjoined in her request. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman withdrew the proposal related to a living wage because of the scheduled work <br />session. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman reviewed a proposed motion related to the issue of whistle blower protection and <br />spoke in support of the motion. She said that the text, which was intended to guide the <br />development of Eugene charter provisions, was drawn from charter provisions, state statutes, and <br />codes from around the country. She noted she had a list of jurisdictions with such whistle blower <br />protections. <br /> <br /> Ms. Bettman, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to direct the City Manager to <br /> prepare for the ballot a "whistle blower" charter amendment which <br /> encompasses the intent of the following language: <br /> <br /> City employees, appointed and elected officials, are encouraged to report on <br /> improper governmental action. The Eugene City Council shaft codify by <br /> ordinance a process for reporting improper governmental action and <br /> protection from retaliation for anyone reporting such activity in good faith. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 24, 2002 Page 9 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />