CC Minutes - 01/24/00 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Kelly said that the program was an evolutionary process modeled on federal legislation and that he would like to see the program eventually expanded to include significant toxics users in service- based businesses. He concluded that he was not interested in another public vote until after the 2001 legislature. Councilor Pap~ clarified that the charter amendment did refer to manufacturers. He went on to comment that putting the Toxics Right-to-Know Program in the City Charter was a misuse of process and that the City would have been better served to have gone through the City ordinance process so that things could be changed more easily when complications arose. Councilor Nathanson also called for more information on the City Manager's proposal. She com- mented that it was the voters' intent to keep the link between polluters and paying fees. She stressed that the voters thought that the program would be fee-supported. Councilor Rayor said that the severability clause left the rest of the amendment intact. He commented that the program was not extreme and that eventually other communities would have similar programs. He urged that people work together to find a middle ground. Councilor Taylor stressed her desire to keep the program fee-supported. She was against having another public vote. Councilor Meisner commented that the program could not just be shelved, because it was part of the City Charter. He was against having a new vote on the issue and commented that the people against the fee structure had been against the entire program. Councilor Fart said that he was not convinced of the fairness of the fee structure. He said that the City Council did not have the authority to change the charter language and expressed a desire to have another vote. Mayor Torrey stressed the importance of consistency from the City Council. He raised concern over the changes that were being proposed. He reiterated that the issue would have to be addressed in a work session and expressed a desire for the chair of the Toxics Board to attend. Mayor Torrey said he was convince that the public wanted the program and had an idea of how the program would be paid for, but noted that the State had changed the rules. He was not convinced that the new proposals met the intent of the public. Mayor Torrey stressed that he was opposed to policy by charter unless it was the overwhelming will of the people. He urged businesses to work with the Toxics Board on the issue. Councilor Lee called for legal analysis regarding how governments dealt with unenforceable issues. VI. AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING TRAFFIC REGULATIONS; READOPTING SECTION 5.005 OF THE EUGENE CODE 197'1; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY Councilor Pap~ excused himself from the meeting. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. Seeing no one wishing, to speak he closed the public hearing and called for questions from the council. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 24, 2000 Page 8 7:30 p.m.