CC Minutes - 09/24/01 Work Session

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but suggested that City staff, Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County, and the school districts could be involved. Ms. Taylor noted the past involvement in the Eugene Sister City Program by the school districts and the fact the convention and visitors association was represented on the foundation's board of directors. Ms. Nathanson elaborated on her suggestion, saying that she was talking about a meeting where participants discussed how to combine resources and collaborate in tangible ways to increase the effectiveness of all the organizations involved. She hoped there was an opportunity to begin such a discussion. Mr. Andrews reported that ten years ago there had been cooperation between the local Rotary Club and the Irkutsk Sister City Committee when the Rotary Club wished to establish a branch in that community. Such a club was subsequently established. He noted programs established at the library by the foundation. Mr. Andrews reminded the council that the program was established by the City, and was not just the purview of a "bunch of warm, fuzzy citizens." Ms. Nathanson thanked Mr. Andrews for the examples. However, she was trying to respond to the letter sent by Mr. Dougher to the council regarding the foundation's financial status. She was looking for ways the foundation could share resources in a tangible, lasting way to solve its budget problems. Ms. Taylor believed that the foundation was carrying out a City duty and she thought the program should have more staff time devoted to it. She acknowledged the budget constraints that led to the establishment of the foundation. Ms. Harris spoke of the varying levels of participation on committees and the varying number of volunteers, and noted the foundation's attempts to get greater publicity. Mr. Meisner responded, saying that in the absence of greater public support, the media would not pay the foundation much attention. He observed that all those who lobbied the City Budget Committee for additional foundation funding were members of foundation or the committees, not the general public. He said that he did not need the newsletter; the public does. Mr. Meisner encouraged the foundation to find a way to get the newsletter to the public. Ms. Walston requested any further information requests for staff follow-up. There were no requests. Ms. Taylor thanked members of the Eugene Sister City Foundation for their work. D. Work Session: Contingency Account Ms. Walston was present for the item. She provided background on the past use of the Contingency Account and the subsequent establishment of the City Council Contingency Account MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 24, 2001 Page 10 Work Session