CC Minutes - 03/15/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Rayor agreed, saying that the council should have had its questions answered before an issue comes before the public. Ms. Taylor disagreed, saying raising questions would illuminate issues for both the public and the council and if the council exercised self-restraint, it was manageable. Mr. Meisner cautioned against having ex parte contacts, saying he could agree to getting written responses to council questions from a witness later that were made part of the public record. Mr. Lee said he preferred flexibility and appreciated and trusted the mayor's facilitation skills and was sure he could manage the time as needed. Mr. Meisner observed that at least four council members favored the opportunity to pose questions of those providing public testimony to be answered then or later in writing as part of the public record. Self-restraint was urged. He emphasized that asking questions remained an option for council members. For continuity's sake, Mr. Torrey said he favored individual questions from the council immediately following an individual's testimony. Ms. Nathanson agreed but said close attention would need to be paid to the distinction between council question and discussion times. She added that the council queue lights for councilors requesting to speak, on the mayor's control panel are pale orange and could be easily missed. City Manager Jim Johnson acknowledged the problem and said it called for expert facilitation on the Mayor's part. Mr. Torrey encouraged councilors to help him maintain control and help facilitate at meetings. Ms. Walston summarized the discussion: the council wants the opportunity to ask questions of witnesses, either immediately after an individual's testimony or at the end; asking questions is optional; councilors should exercise self-restraint in seeking further information; and the meeting's facilitator carries the burden of managing the meeting. Mr. Kelly added the codification of the council's question and discussion period after the close of the public hearing. There was general consensus to adopt new Section 7, Conduct at Meetings. City Manager Jim Johnson referred the council to the section on Councilor Request for Staff Assistance, saying Jan Bohman had some time available for "generalist" issues that council members might have that required research. He invited council members to contact her directly. Mr. Rayor ascertained that councilors would be advised of any request requiring more than two hours of staff research time by bringing it before the council for direction. Mr. Pap8 arrived at the meeting. The council reviewed new Section 9, Representing City Positions and Personal Positions and adopted it by consensus. Mayor Torrey urged councilors addressing the State Legislature to Minutes--Eugene City Council March 15, 1999 Page 2 5:30 p.m.