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Candice Freeman, 642 Lawrence Street, stated that she shared a "horrible" apartment with her children. She said she saw problems when she moved in, brought them to the landlord's attention and that the landlord had indicated he would fix them. Seven months later, nothing had been fixed. She said paint was peeling from the ceiling over her two-year-old's bed. She noted that the apartments had been built in the 1940s and her pediatrician warned her that the children were at risk for exposure to lead. She wished she and her family could move, but they did not have the means. She related that she asked the landlord repeatedly to fix the things he had promised to fix, but now every discussion ended in a confrontation. She added that the other tenants in the building were too afraid of eviction to come forward. David Hansen, 2738 Kismet Way, read a statement from Sara Esposita on the issues of poor living conditions within the city of Eugene. She had moved into an apartment that did not have a working heater. The landlord refused to fix it because of the expense. She and her family lived in the living room with a propane heater, but after a few months gave up and moved out. He related that she wished to convey the message to the council that there were many people in the community who lived this way. Mr. Hansen asserted that many citizens of Eugene had experienced these sorts of problems. He said there were ways to address the problems and hoped that the City of Eugene would work toward doing so. Pam Reber, 78302 Swanson Lane, Cottage Grove, urged the council to expedite the process for establish- ing housing standards in the City of Eugene. She felt the need was tremendous. She recommended that, as the City sought sustainability for the City and livability in the urban center, housing standards should be considered as livability criteria. She declared them to be an asset and that they would be a reason for people to move here, to attend the UO, and for parents to send their children to school here. Ms. Reber related that she had fallen from a second floor bedroom in a rental she resided in two years earlier and fractured a vertebra in her back. She said her landlord did not take responsibility, stating he had no insurance, which in fact he did. She stated that she intended to sue him for the cost of medical bills and lost wages, because she had not other recourse. Bruce Miller, Box 50968, complimented the student body president of LCC on her presentation. Mr. Miller commended Randy Papd for attending a Board of Higher Education meeting. Mr. Miller complained about a vehicle purchase that the students of the University of Oregon had voted to undertake. Mr. Miller reiterated his suggestion that Downtown Eugene, Inc. (DE1) move into the Hilton Hotel. He alleged DE1 held secret meetings. Mayor Torrey closed the Public Forum. Councilor Bettman thanked those who testified on behalf of housing standards. She reiterated that she had voted to expedite the issue and expressed hope that her colleagues "would come around." Councilor Bettman asserted that the Chamber of Commerce was on the side of the WOW Hall. She said it MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 8, 2004 Page 3 Regular Session