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Ms. Taylor was opposed to both the changes being proposed as she perceived it was restricting <br />public participation opportunities and the council's ability to raise items, thus constricting their <br />constituents' ability to get their councilor to introduce items on their behalf. She said that she <br />wanted the public to have an opportunity to comment on the change, noting she had heard <br />concerns expressed. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson said that she would support mini-work sessions for threshold-level discussions, <br />rather than seeing agenda items scheduled with considerable staff work. However, the council <br />had not had that opportunity, being put in the position of scheduling a full work session or nothing. <br /> <br />Mr. Rayor said that he regretted limiting the Public Forum to one-half hour. He said that often <br />people were outraged about something, and it was not good public relations to turn people away. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner said there was nothing in the changes to the operating agreements that limited the <br />Public Forum. The rules remain the same, and the council still had the opportunity to extend the <br />Public Forum. He did not think that changing meeting times from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. would limit <br />the Public Forum, suggesting that it might mean councilors restrain their remarks in response. <br />The change did not limit public hearings. Items could be continued or scheduled differently. The <br />changes merely meant the meetings ended at a fixed time. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey said he had endorsed the recommendation to move back the meetings to 7:30 p.m. <br />to accommodate the public and give it an opportunity to speak. <br /> <br /> The motion passed, 5:3; Mr. Kelly, Ms. Bettman, and Ms. Taylor <br /> voting no. <br /> <br />F. PUBLIC FORUM <br /> <br />Gene Thomas Mooney, also known by the street name "Khi," said he was currently homeless. <br />He said he was elected to represent the homeless camped out on the Lane County courthouse <br />steps. He asked the council to consider a motion to suspend the ordinance involving public <br />sleeping and camping until an agreement can be reached that satisfies both the City of Eugene <br />and Eugene Homeless Initiative. He also asked that a restroom be kept open 24 hours to address <br />sanitary needs of the homeless. Mr. Mooney endorsed the formation of a committee to reach a <br />fair and reasonable solution for all. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly asked Mr. Carlson to talk to relevant staff about opportunities for joint discussions. Mr. <br />Carlson said that the City had dealt with the issue for many years and he would like direction from <br />the council on how to proceed. He said that staff would meet informally with the group Mr. <br />Mooney represented. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner left the meeting. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap~ asked how many beds the Eugene Mission had vacant. He also asked about churches <br />making provision for the homeless, and the City making information on services available to the <br />homeless. <br /> <br />Mr. Farr suggested the possibility that the Council Committee on Homelessness and Youth could <br />reconvene to discuss the current situation. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 9, 2002 Page 18 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />