CC Minutes - 07/10/00 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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addressing the police union, he said that it was inappropriate for it to threaten elected officials with law suits. He added that the police needed to act inside the law like everyone else and stressed that the City needed a police force that answered to civil authorities. Shawn Boles, 105 North Adams Street, expressed his support for Councilor Kelly. He said that he was stunned to hear of the lawsuit threatened by the police union and commented that citizens should feel protected by police. He said that the lawsuit was unintelligent. He urged the councilors to poll each other and see who had preknowledge of the lawsuit. Jan Wostmann, 2645 Riverview Street, complimented the work of Councilor Kelly on the City Council and expressed his personal support. Garret Epps, 2298 Columbia Street, expressed his support for Councilor Kelly. He said that he was a teacher of First Amendment law. He said that he had no issues with the council or the Police Department, but expressed resentment over any attempt by any player in the public policy process to take his elected representative out of play by means of intimidation or threat. He urged the council to rally around Councilor Kelly. Speaking as a teacher of First Amendment law, Mr. Epps said that it was black letter law that criticism of the police could not be libel unless it was committed with some form of malice and unless specific individuals were named. He found it difficult to believe that the people who sent Councilor Kelly the letter were unaware of that fact. He said it was a landmark case, New York Times versus Sullivan, which was taught to every first-year law student. He inferred from that knowledge, that the purpose of the notice of intent was simply to intimidate Councilor Kelly, to exact a political price from him, and to send a message to the community that people should think twice before questioning police policy. He urged the council to make an appropriate response to make clear that public debate about police policy was entirely appropriate. He said that it was incumbent on all citizens to defend the values of public deliberation, reason, and free speech whenever they were threatened from any quarter. David Monk, 3720 Emerald Street, expressed his support for Councilor Kelly and seconded the remarks by Mr. Boles. Mr. Monk commended the work of the Stormwater Management Department Advisory Committee and thanked council for scheduling a work session on stormwater issues. He stressed the importance of identifying and prioritizing significant waterways for City acquisition. He called for protection of the headwaters of the Amazon waterway. He expressed confusion that the council would not move forward to protect 20 percent of the headwaters because the entire headwater system could not be protected. Margaret Robertson, PO Box 50204, commented that the City had a responsibility to protect the headwaters of the Amazon Creek and its forested rim areas. She noted that the area was habitat to endangered plants and animals that were unique and irreplaceable. Rob Zako, 1280 East 28th Avenue, expressed his support for Councilor Kelly. Mr. Zako called for a delay of the work session dealing with LUCU. He urged the council not to make land use decisions based on politics. He noted that several groups, that were usually opposed, shared the same goals and wanted them implemented in LUCU. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 10, 2000 Page 2 Regular Meeting