CC Minutes - 10/12/98 Work Session

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Mr. Meisner indicated his concurrence with many of the remarks made by Ms. Swanson Gribskov and Ms. Nathanson. He noted his own foreign background and said he appreciated the opportunities created by the program for more understanding and openness. Mr. Meisner said that he sometimes wished the community did as well on local civil and human rights issues as it did on the issue of international relations. Mr. Meisner concurred with Ms. Nathanson that the foundation needed to communicate more with citizens about what the programs actually do and broaden activities beyond trips and ceremonial activities. He also concurred with Mr. Johnson's suggestion that the issue was best referred to the budget process. Mr. Meisner said that there was little the City had funded that was not valuable, but Ballot Measure 47/50 forced the City to put everything "on the chopping block." He said the program must be considered in the context of everything the City does, and in light of the appropriate social and fiscal role for City government in such an effort. He was unprepared to select a funding option at this time, although he concurred with Ms. Swanson Gribskov this was not a time for growth in the City's contribution. He urged the council to "step back from the numbers" and examine the appropriate role for municipal government, noting a previously expressed concern that the City was the funder of first and last resort for social and cultural programs. Mr. Meisner said the council must make funding decisions in a conscious manner, and make conscious policy decisions about the international role of local government. Mr. Meisner agreed with Ms. Nathanson's remarks about the lack of private contributions to offset the loss in City dollars, and said given the planned phase-out of City support, he was concerned about the lack of foundation responsiveness. Mr. Tollenaar asked if it was unusual for a municipality to have four sister cities. Ms. Arbogast said no. Ms. Nathanson indicated she had secured information from Sister Cities International about that issue. Mr. Tollenaar suggested that the number of sister cities diluted the media and community's interest in the program. Mr. Laue asked if the revenue from the money market account in the budget was interest. Ms. Arbogast said that figure represented the total of the account. She added that the foundation had made an effort to raise private funds but it was difficult in a volunteer organization with participants primarily interested in the exchange program rather than in administration. She said the foundation had made some attempts to increase its visibility, membership, and funds, but acknowledged that the effort had not gone well. Mr. Laue suggested that it was time for examination of how well the planned five-year program phase out had worked. He observed that the City had rejected two requests for new sister city associations in recent years because it was difficult to support the four existing relationships. Mr. Laue commended the program and concurred it should be considered in the budget process. He noted his disagreement with Mr. Meisner's remarks that the City was the first and last resort for social and cultural programs, pointing to the contributions of organizations such as United Way. Mr. Laue moved, seconded by Mr. Fart, to revisit the Sister City Program in the upcoming budget cycle. Mr. Lee believed staff was needed to increase the program's visibility and do fund raising. He indicated support for the motion as a signal to the Budget Committee that the council was interested in revisiting program funding. Mr. Lee said that the council should be aware as volunteers of the effort required for such programs. MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 12, 1998 Page 3 5:30 p.m.