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Ms. Bettman acknowledged the charter prohibition on council interference with hiring City employees, but <br />pointed out that Mr. Klein was not a City employee. She said that it was a contracting issue, and if the City <br />Council could give the manager specific direction about the contractor to be selected as the downtown <br />developer, it could direct him with regard to the City Attorney, because he was a contractor, not an <br />employee. She did not think Mr. Klein had provided an accurate representation of the existing situation. <br />Mr. Klein said the charter provision that prohibited the council from interfering with the manager in the <br />hiring and firing of personnel was broader than just personnel. Ms. Bettman said that was true with regard <br />to individual councilors, not the council as a body. Mr. Klein said that Section 16 of the charter granted the <br />manger certain powers to do certain things, such as acting as business agent. The manager also has the <br />power to choose the City’s contractors in most circumstances. He said he could provide more information if <br />desired. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy expressed appreciation to Mr. Klein for his comments clarifying the role of the City Attorney. <br />She believed it was important that the council be clear about what it did and did not support. That was the <br />key to providing the manager with direction. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Dennis M. Taylor <br />City Manager <br /> <br />(Recorded by Kimberly Young) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 9, 2007 Page 12 <br /> Work Session <br />