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David Paul Black, 3010 Olive Street, also represented IATSE. He said IATSE had been serving the community for many years and had worked at close to 6,000 shows at the Hult Center. He appreciated the union's relationship with the City and welcomed its input. He said the Hult Center was a local masterpiece. He encouraged the council to strive for excellence as the union did when it worked on each show. He spoke of the benefit to the community of the arts and recreation. Mr. Black said the traveling shows as well as the smaller shows spoke favorably to each about Eugene as well. He looked forward to a continuing relation- ship between IATSE and the City. Gary Gillespie, 790 East 23rd Avenue, encouraged the council to reconsider its decision not to place a moratorium on big box stores. He continued to have questions about the expansion of Wal-Mart, such as questions about its impact on nearby wetlands. He asked why Eugene would encourage a business in direct competition with union positions. Employees of Wal-Mart supercenters made 30 percent less per year than comparable employees who work in the same field. One of every 115 Americans already worked at Wal- Mart, which had inadequate health benefits that cost employees a great deal out-of-pocket for minimal coverage. He pointed out that Wal-Mart based its advertising campaigns on what it had been sued for in the past, such as not hiring minorities and women in management positions. Gary Lyle, 1615 Oakpatch Road, said that businesses with no regard for wage and hour laws and that mm to the tax payers for subsidies were not good corporate citizens. He called for more community input into the subject of big box retail developments. Bruce York, 349 Suburban Avenue, noted his background in the retail grocery industry, which provided him with a decent wage, benefits, and a pension plan. His company's attitude toward its employees had changed since Wal-Mart came to town. Grocery companies were seeking wage concessions and reductions in benefits to compete with Wal-Mart. He advocated for a council discussion on the subject of big box retail uses, and for community input into that process. He said such developments were a drain on tax payer dollars. Art Farley, 1667 Fairmount Boulevard, noted the presence of three members of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Comprehensive Parks Plan. He supported the council's decision to hold a work session on a possible ballot measure related to parks. He called for a bond measure to support acquisitions and a levy to support ongoing operations. He did not think an increase in the operations and maintenance budget could be ignored. He said the committee would provide a possible list of projects prior to the work session. Citizens want more park amenities, and should be given an opportunity to support a measure. Roxie Cuellar, 2050 Laura Street, Springfield, a member of the parks planning committee, encouraged the council to hold a work session on a bond measure and levy. She said the parks planning process made it clear there were deficiencies in the system. It was easier to pass such a measure during a general election. In addition, interest rates were currently low. A three-year delay could see interest rates increases. She said the committee's proposal would be for a variety of parks serving all areas of the community. The amount would be affordable. She pledged to work on a campaign for a new measure, and thought the homebuilders' history argued its support for such a measure. Steve Johnson, 1825 Longview Street, supported a work session on a parks and open space measure. He acknowledged the short time line before the election but did not think that the council would lack options to take to the voters. He said the City was far below national standards in regard to parks. The money from the last bond measure would be spent before the new bonds were sold. He wanted to "keep the ball rolling" on parks improvements and acquisitions. He believed the City had been clear in the past when communicat- ing with the voters that more was needed, and hoped that the measure was one of six or seven more he would see proposed. He also pledged to work for the measure, and noted the formation of a new Parks Foundation,