CC Minutes - 11/13/01 Work Session

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suggest them given the commission's proposed work load. She reiterated that an earlier check-in would be useful. Referring to the Sister City Program, Budget Committee, and Planning Commission, Ms. Nathanson suggested that the commission's assistance could help those groups reach their full potential. She wanted to see some brainstorming and collaboration occur between the commission and Sister City Program, and indicated she would talk about the commission's relationships with the Budget Committee and Planning Commission at another time. Ms. Taylor also endorsed the commission's work on a domestic partnership registry and suggested it examine the ordinance passed by the City of Ashland. She was glad to see the work proposed for pedestrian safety, and hoped that the effort encompassed all types of pedestrians. Ms. Taylor thought that more people than those the commission identified needed advocacy in court, suggesting that those who were not accustomed to being in court or those who were not career criminals also needed help. She commended the annual report and thanked the commission. Ms. Bettman said the commission did great work. She acknowledged the commission's liaisons with other committees and commissions, and said members brought both expertise and a sense of inclusiveness to those groups. Ms. Bettman asked the commission to consider advocating for inclusiveness and diversity on City boards and committees, adding she was "envious" of the applications the commission received for membership. She asked the commission to encourage its applicants to apply for other City boards and commissions. Ms. Bettman expressed appreciation to the Human Rights Commission for its response to the events of September 11. Ms. Bettman commended the work plan. She was glad the commission had the enthusiasm to take on the tasks it had identified. Ms. Bettman indicated she would ask the City Manager to schedule a work session on Eugene as a Human Rights City. In response to Mr. Meisner's earlier comments, Ms. Rich noted that the commission had drafted a City Manager/Leader Crisis Response Memorandum that it hoped would help those in positions of leadership to respond in a crisis. Mr. Meisner clarified that he was less concerned about what to say than when to say it; he had not been called to respond to events in the past. He reiterated the need for the commission to contact the council. In response to Ms. Nathanson's remarks about the need for earlier examination of the work plan, Ms. Ortiz noted that the commission's joint meeting with the council had been pushed out because of the council's heavy work. Because of that delay, she asked the council to approve the work plan with an end date of June 2003. Mr. Pap~, the council's liaison to the commission, said the commission was composed of fine citizens who did excellent work, and he was pleased to be a part of it. He acknowledged the many MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 13, 2001 Page 8 Work Session