Item 3A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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Dr. Marlan Carlson , Chair of the Music Department of Oregon State University, thanked the council for taking the time to hear from the members of the delegation to China. He said that the Oregon Cultural Delegation’s relationship with China dated to the year 2000. He stated that in that time there had been at least a dozen exchanges on a cultural and educational level. He underscored that the relationship developed without any governmental assistance, having been entirely funded by donors with an interest in promoting the area’s relationship with China in general and the Hunan Province in particular. He said it was the hope on of the cultural education exchange program that these visits would form the basis for a much more intensive business and governmental relationship. He averred that business was good for culture and culture was good for business. He felt there were many opportunities for the business component of this relation- ship. He distributed handouts that summarized where they had been, where the process was now, and where they hoped it would go. He also passed out copies of a Memorandum of Understanding between represen- tatives of Hunan Province and the Oregon Cultural Delegation. He pointed to item (6), which stated that they would collaborate in organizing a visit to Oregon of approximately 15 top governmental heads from the province in order to discuss specific job creation opportunities in both Hunan and Oregon. He stated that the representatives of Hunan understood that “jobs, jobs, jobs” were the top three priorities of this country. He believed that something would come from this relationship to create economic opportunities for businesses in the Willamette Valley and for the work force in general. Peter Leung , no address given, chose to speak on diversity from his position as an NAACP official. He related that he came to the United States in 1972 and he felt that much had changed since then. The country moved from being “Eurocentric to world-centric.” He likened China to a rising giant and underscored the importance of working to understand this large nation and to cultivate a working relationship with it. He said there was an opportunity to join in three events this year, but the City Council needed to take the initiative. He related that he spoke with the Mayor about this and she indicated that Eugene had “a lot of sister cities” in mostly Asian countries. He did not think that should mean that all of the resources were allocated. He encouraged the council to show its leadership and that the City of Eugene cared about its evolving relationship with China. Mayor Piercy thanked Mr. Luvert, Mr. Leung, and Dr. Carlson for coming and for the presentation of the gift from Shangqui, Hunan. John Brown , 101 East Broadway, thanked councilors Solomon and Poling for their willingness to serve another four-year term. He also thanked Councilor Kelly for his service. He said Councilor Kelly always did his homework and was diligent and respectful. He noted that he disagreed with Councilor Kelly on some things, but nonetheless he would be “sorely missed.” He also thanked Councilor Papé for doing a “great job.” He said Councilor Papé made the example of getting out “and actually doing it” in his efforts to clean up trash along the Willamette River and participate in other civic endeavors. He felt the two incoming councilors were “admirable replacements” for the two councilors who were departing. Zachary Vishanoff , Patterson Street, wondered why the old federal building was not slated for any sort of adaptive reuse. He thought it could be a police station or a city hall. He wanted a detailed explanation of why it could not be reused for either one of those purposes. He thought if it could not be used it should be “wiped out” and a park should be constructed. Mr. Vishanoff said he had heard that the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) would engage in master planning with the City regarding its riverfront property and that this was required by law. He wondered if the Governor or “somebody in Salem” had done anything to make the council conduct this master planning process. He said it was “interesting if the Governor was prompting it.” MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 11, 2006 Page 2 Regular Meeting