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Association to be noticed through a quarter-page ad like the rest of the citizenry. She asserted many people do not read the newspaper or have access to the internet. She felt the CIC ensured that dedicated citizens from the voters' pool participated in the decision process. Mr. Meisner supported the motion. He stated that citizen involvement had been most impacted by a City Council decision in 1992 which eliminated "dozens" of committees and, by virtue of this elimination, curtailed citizen access to involvement. He related that every year the CIC had been asked to look at new and different ways of reaching out to citizens and every year the committee responded that it would need additional funding to do so. Mr. Meisner expressed hope the City not only consider existing best practices but, was also is imaginative in looking for new ways to inform and attract citizens to involvement. He agreed with Ms. Taylor that the internet did not reach everyone. He opined that, in practice, use of the voter pool resulted in the same people participating on committees. Ms. Bettman commented that the Mayor often said he wished a broader range of people would testify at public hearings. She asserted the CIC, when it was adequately funded, had the ability to bring more citizens to speak to issues. She added that the CIC had been integral in the creation of the voter pool. She felt feedback from the public had deteriorated without it and declared she would not be voting for the ordinance. In response to a question from Mr. Kelly, Mr. Taylor said the new advisory group of key employees with public involvement experience had yet to be named, but the talent had been identified. He stated that he would provide the list of who would be on this committee via e-mail to Mr. Kelly. Mayor Torrey called for the vote. The motion passed, 5:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bett- man, Mr. Kelly voting no. C. ACTION: Roosevelt Yard Property Acquisition Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to authorize the City Manager to move forward with the purchase of the property as soon as possible using the financing plan described in the Agenda Item Summary and to include the inter-fund loan and other necessary appropriation changes for the purchase in the next supplemental budget. Mr. Meisner said he would support the "discreet motion" before the council, but felt the master plan should have been brought before the council and not just passed administratively. Mr. Meisner conveyed his satisfaction with the response to his concerns regarding liability. He stressed that the City was self-insured and should be vigilant in monitoring activity in the area of the proposed purchase. Additionally, Mr. Meisner noted the property would remain on property tax roles so long as it was leased to tenants. He recommended that it remain leased out until the City was ready to prepare the property for Public Works uses. Mr. Kelly opposed the motion. He suggested potential efficiencies in Public Works that could come about due to partnerships with the County could dramatically change the master plan and the need for the land. He MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 11, 2004 Page 7 Work Session