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Mr. Lee stated that he had placed his own name in nomination because it was tradition for the <br />Council Vice President to be elected Council President in the following year. He said he <br />appreciated the clear thinking and historical perspective contributed by Ms. Nathanson to council <br />deliberations and suggested that an "ex officio position" be created for her as an advisor to the <br />Council President. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly stated that he did not believe it should be assumed that the Council Vice President <br />would be elected Council President in the following year because each councilor was capable of <br />serving in the role. He said he believed all councilors should be given an opportunity to serve in <br />a leadership role and that he supported the nomination of Ms. Taylor. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner stated that he preferred not to be required to express a preference among the <br />nominees for Council Vice President because each was well-qualified and that he believed he <br />could work well with any of them. He said a major responsibility of council officers was to <br />propose motions which reflected a perception of the will of the council. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner said he did not believe there was a strong tradition for the Council Vice President to <br />be elected Council President in the following year. He noted that it was not required by the City <br />Code, or any council regulation or agreement, and was regularly broken in practice. He said he <br />had some sympathy for a process that provided all councilors an opportunity to serve as an <br />officer. <br /> <br />Mr. Rayor said he agreed that the decision of whom to chose was difficult because each of the <br />nominees was qualified. He suggested that council officers should have a calm and steady <br />leadership style. He said he believed it was positive to have honest differences of opinion <br />among council leaders and that he wanted council officers to be respected and respectful. <br /> <br />Mr. Lee said he hoped his suggestion of an advisor role for Ms. Nathanson would be accepted <br />and that a new perspective on the role of the vice president could be developed. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson stated that she would always be willing to serve as a consultant to the Council <br />President, but that she was concerned that establishing a role, as suggested by Mr. Lee, would <br />not be appropriate because such a position was not described in the City Charter. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner stated that, whatever the outcome of the election for Council Vice President, he <br />would consult Ms. Nathanson as unofficial historian. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap8 stated that he did not believe the Council Vice President should be automatically <br />elected Council President in the following year, but that the best person available should be <br />elected each year. <br /> <br />Mr. Farr noted that, as Council Vice President, he had been called on to preside at council <br />meetings on several occasions. He expressed his respect for each of those nominated as <br />Council Vice President. He noted that the terms of each of the nominees would be completed in <br />two years, eliminating the possibility of at least one from serving as leadership. <br />Mr. Lee said he was pleased there seemed to be little concern that the Council Vice President be <br />automatically elected Council President in the following year. He said he wished to withdraw his <br />nomination as a candidate for Council Vice President. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 20, 1999 Page 4 <br />11:30 a.m. <br /> <br /> <br />