CCMinutes - 06/14/04 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES Eugene City Council Regular Meeting Council Chamber--Eugene City Hall June 14, 2004 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Bonny Bettman, George Poling, Nancy Nathanson, Scott Meisner, David Kelly, Betty Taylor, Gary Papd, Jennifer Solomon. His Honor Mayor James D. Torrey called the regular meeting of the Eugene City Council to order. He noted that Councilor Solomon was excused for the first part of the meeting. 1. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Torrey reviewed the rules of the Public Forum. Gary Nauta, 2300 Oakmont Way, #201, President of the International Alliance of Fire Fighters Local 851, shared information on union bargaining regarding the proposal to privatize fire service at the Eugene Airport. He related that he had met on June 4 with the bargaining team in a ~last-ditch effort" to attempt a possible remedy to the issue, but the meeting lasted 20 minutes and the City's proposal was completely ~unfeasible." He asserted the City was unwilling to consider other options and the two units remained at an impasse. He said bargaining was otherwise complete, with the exception of a few unanswered questions. The only question for the council was whether it would allow the City Manager to continue on the path toward privatization of this service. Mr. Nauta continued to believe this was a policy issue and not an issue on which the City Manager should have the unilateral capacity to decide. He stated he failed to understand how the council, as elected officials, would not intervene on this issue. He stressed the importance of the council taking a stand and sending a clear message to the City Manager that privatization of the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) at the airport was a damaging and unsafe business practice. He underscored that no taxpayer money would be saved by such a change and questioned the wisdom of placing the traveling public at a greater risk in these times of heightened security. R. Kris Millegan, 39830 McKenzie Highway, Springfield, said he was coordinator of a Eugene event that was part of a world-wide movement to legalize marijuana. He asked under what authority the City of Eugene could supercede the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights and prohibit his right to use cannabis. He also questioned the right of the City to arrest, charge, incarcerate, and cause financial loss to a person for possession of marijuana. He called marijuana a ~gifl from nature's God." He asserted that cannabis possession statutes were ~void admissio" and that that elected officials could be held personally liable for wrongful arrest. He noted that the prohibition of alcohol had required a constitutional amendment. He said civil rights were inalienable and should not be denied. He provided his testimony in writing. Councilor Solomon arrived.