Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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percent in deferred compensation with a similar health savings account for AFSCME workers. He underscored that health savings accounts could only be spent on health benefits. Mayor Piercy closed the Public Forum. She said they were proud of the City’s employees and supported the negotiations and the achievement of a fair deal. Mayor Piercy stated that she served on the Commission on Children and Families and they had worked on the infant mortality issue. She felt it was of deep concern to people in this area. She also wished to point out that a facility had been opened in the downtown area for the Leadership Education Adventure Direction (LEAD) teen program in a building owned by the City and that the City participated in the Safe and Sound program. She noted that there was a Network Charter School in the downtown area, along with a New Roads facility. She said Mr. Collins’ comments were important but she wished to assure him that they were working on those issues. Councilor Clark thanked everyone who spoke. He expressed appreciation for the AFSCME employees’ work and the way they served the community. Councilor Bettman thanked the members of AFSCME for coming and bringing “to light quantifiable issues.” She had requested a work session. She had inspected the City Charter and interpreted it to say that the City Manager will conduct bargaining on behalf of the City Council and that this meant that the City Council could give policy direction regarding that process. She averred that asking for equity in collective bargaining was within the purview of the council. She felt that if they were in an economic downturn the City should economize from the top down and not from the bottom up. Councilor Zelenka announced, at Mr. Vishanoff’s request, that the Hearings Official hearing on the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the University arena project would be held in the Council Chambers at 5 p.m. on October 7. He encouraged those who were impacted by this to come and have their say. Councilor Zelenka thanked the AFSCME people for coming and for the work they do for the City. He supported the idea of holding a work session. He also thanked Mr. Sonnichsen for his work on the I-5 bridge project. He noted his preference for the design that was not chosen. Councilor Ortiz echoed her colleagues’ agreement with the AFSCME representatives. She said the council’s employee was the City Manager. She related that in his evaluation she had asked how the people who earned the least money were treated. She had found it informative to have so many AFSCME representa- tives say what they wanted and needed. She indicated her support for a work session on the subject. She expected the City Manager to bargain with fairness. She agreed that in a bad economic time everyone should “take the hit.” Councilor Taylor supported holding a work session. She agreed that if sacrifices were made they should be made at the top instead of lower down. She averred that they should be very concerned about health care for everyone. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of City Council Minutes - June 9, 2008, City Council Meeting - June 9, 2008, Work Session - August 11, 2008, Work Session B. Approval of Tentative Working Agenda MINUTES—Eugene City Council September 22, 2008 Page 4 Regular Meeting