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James Dean, 665 West 5th Avenue, spoke in support of the City Manager's decision on Christmas <br />trees. He raised concern over the divisiveness in the community that the decision caused. <br /> <br />Doug Black, 4994 Center Way, seconded the testimony of Mr. Hornbuckle and Mr. Baldwin. He <br />raised concern that there was a conflict of interest in the law firm currently representing the City. <br />He urged the City to find another law firm to do its legal work. <br /> <br />Laura M. Ohanian, 840-1/2 Lawrence Street, thanked the council for its consideration in revising <br />the City Charter. She raised concern over legal council for the Citizen Charter Review Committee <br />and the City. She expressed a hope that the City Council would be able to hire an in-house <br />attorney to address questions of conflict of interest that could arise if the its legal counsel was <br />also representing other interests in the community. <br /> <br />Rick Szakalski, 2115 Brittany Street, commented that the City Manager's Policy on Christmas <br />trees was a mistake. He commented that the City represented the people and expressed his <br />feelings that the reluctance to reverse the decision was a lack of proper representation. <br /> <br />John Herberg, 568 Fenster Street, reiterated previous testimony regarding the desire to see the <br />Council allotting funding for the Charter Review Committee to have its own legal counsel. He also <br />reiterated the request for the Council to hire its own in-house attorney. <br /> <br />Jan Spencer, 212 Benjamin Street, expressed concern over the Citizen Charter Review <br />Committee and its lack of independent legal counsel. He shared the concern about conflicts of <br />interest expressed by Mr. Baldwin. <br /> <br />Regarding TransPlan, Mr. Spencer remarked that the Oregon Department of Transportation was <br />just a lobbying delegation for building more roads. He stressed the importance of encouraging <br />alternative modes of transportation in the plan. <br /> <br />Bayard McConnaughey, 1653 Fairmount Boulevard, maintained that the West Eugene Parkway <br />was the worst proposal ever to be considered by City officials. He said that it was unnecessary <br />and would destroy one of the City's most valuable remaining wetlands as well as being expensive, <br />increasing traffic, and pollution. He called for a new vote or rejection of the plan. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey called for council remarks. <br /> <br />Councilor Nathanson did not agree with the testimony of the people representing WISTEC. She <br />said that the testimony offered an incomplete picture and noted that both the City and the <br />University of Oregon had made offers to make up the parking revenue that would be lost. <br /> <br />Regarding the decision over Christmas trees, Councilor Nathanson stated that it was the City <br />Manager's job to maintain order in the work place as well as in the streets of the City. She noted <br />that there had been a serious issue and concern raised by employees and stressed the <br />importance of fair and nondiscriminatory treatment of workers. Councilor Nathanson said that she <br />did not view the Christmas tree as a religious symbol but viewed it as a symbol of a holiday where <br />people remember family and friends in an otherwise dark and bleak season of the year. <br /> <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 11, 2000 Page 3 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br /> <br />