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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/19/1984 Meeting . M I NUT E S e Eugene City Council Special Meeting Mayor's Office, City Hall I December 19, 1984 11 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Brian Obie, Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Richard Hansen Debra Ehrman, Ruth Bascom, Cynthia Wooten (11:20-1:30). The Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon was called to order by Council President Brian Obie. I. COUNCIL GOAL SETTING SESSION Mr. Obie asked if the other councilors preferred to have the goal setting session on an evening or a Saturday. Ms. Schue and Ms. Ehrman preferred an evening meeting. Mr. Holmer and Ms. Schue did not want to meet on Friday evening. Ms. Ehrman said it is not necessary for all department heads to attend the council's goal setting session. It was agreed the session should be in February. e II. INTERVIEWS FOR APPOINTMENT TO CITY COUNCIL SEAT, WARD 6 Councilors had received an application from each of the four candidates for the Ward 6 Council seat. Each of the candidates was interviewed separately. Each introduced himself and spoke of his motivation in seeking a council set. Then each candidate answered Questions from councilors. Mr. Obie thanked each candidate for his contribution to the City and interest in the position. A. James Ashley, Sr. Mr. Ashley served in the armed services for 21 1/2 years. He holds positions in many veterans' organizations. Answering Questions, Mr. Ashley said he is a political moderate. He was sure the position of City Councilor would be less stressful than lobbying in Salem and Washington, D.C. He has service-connected injuries and is on "hard medications." He foresees no additional medical problems. He would have voted as the council voted the first time on the widening of 6th and 7th avenues. He loves trees, but they are not worth $10,000 each. He thought the councilors were doing a fine job, although he had not understood all their votes. -- MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 19, 1984 Pa ge 1 B. Jeff Miller e Mr. Miller is a minister of the Allison Park Christian Church. He has worked with the Active Bethel Citizens. He likes to redefine problems into needs and to find solutions to the needs. Answering Questions, Mr. Miller said oldtimers in Ward 6 feel they are paying city taxes and not getting city services; however, they do not want to pay to bring streets up to city standards. The more recent residents are concerned about things such as schools. Economic development and a sensitivity to livibility issues is his major concern for the whole City. Sixth and Seventh avenues are dangerous at some times of the day. It is frustrating to think the community can not move ahead because of six or seven trees. West Eleventh Avenue needs to be improved. The street system needs to be revitalized as a part of economic development. He is a political moderate. If he is effective at representing the ward, he will run for election in two years. Time to attend council and committee meetings will not be a problem. He does not plan to move from the City in the near future. C. Arden Munkres Mr. Munkres is a Research Assistant in the Rehabilitation, Research, and Training Center at the University of Oregon. He serves on the Eugene Budget Committee. Answering Questions, Mr. Munkres was aware the councilor appointment would e take at least 20 hours a week. The Director of the Center at the University indicated the time Mr. Munkres would spend on City business would be acceptable. Mr. Munkres supported widening Sixth and Seventh avenues because better access to the area is needed. He is a political liberal. The council appointment would give him an opportunity to see if he wants to run for the position in two years. Finding jobs for unemployed people is his greatest concern. There are many discouraged workers in the Bethel area. He would also be concerned about parks in Ward 6. He voted against the measure to require a vote to approve the widening of Sixth and Seventh avenues. The City should estahlish a climate for industry within the urban growth boundary. The BATe am and the proposed Partnership are examples of good things. The City should display an interested attitude toward business. Limitations and cost effectiveness must be examined. If the City is committed to economic development, funds for needed social services might be obtained elsewhere, but essential services are more important than a gamble on economic development. Discussing a possible property tax limitation, Mr. Munkres said the legislature must fund schools. The cities will have to lobby hard to get funds. A property tax limitation in order to get a sales tax approved would be short-sighted. Creative solutions are needed. A city sales tax, a gasoline tax, or a restaurant tax are examples of ways the City could get funds. He would not be in favor of a city sales tax now without a vote. The schools should not be subject to voters I whims. The proposed sales tax will -- MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 19, 1984 Page 2 . e not fund schools entirely. Schools will still need part of the property tax. If the sales tax funded the schools entirely, the other units of government might be able to rely on property taxes with voter approval. D. Jack Schi ck Mr. Schick is semi-retired from the cable television industry. He has lived in Eugene since last November. Answering Questions, Mr. Scheck said he is not active in the neighborhood group. Coordination between Lane County, Springfield, and Eugene, in order to diversify the economy is probably the biggest issue facing the community. The tax base needs to be broadened. He was on the airport board in Santa Maria, CA. Sixth and Seventh avenues should be widened if there is no other solution to the transportation problem. He is in the "middle of the road' politically. He would decide later about running for the council seat in two years. Problems he had heard of since moving to Ward 6 concerned parks, streets, taxes, and income. Probably governmental operations could be streamlined to gain financial stability, but he would have to study the issue. The meeting was recessed briefly. Councilors briefly discussed a memo from the active Bethel Citizens and then discussed each candidate. Mr. Schick had not lived in the community long enough to have background knowledge on issues. Mr. Ashley had some very e cogent ideas and represents the people in the Bethel area. His health was of concern. Councilors hoped Mr. Schick and Mr. Ashley would be appointed to committees or commissions. Councilors agreed either Mr. Miller or Mr. Munkres would make an excellent council or. They knew the ward well. Mr. Munkres had the better perception of City issues because of his involvement. He had not spoken much at the Budget Committee meetings. Mr. Miller works with the people of the ward and could help to overcome the antagonistic feeling people in the ward have toward the City. Mr. Miller has attended some council meetings and is a fast 1 earner. Mr. Munkres had risen in community service in the traditional way and is familiar with City issues. Mr. Miller had been active in a different way. Mr. Munkres is articulate (although he had been Quiet at Budget Committee meetings), has a good background, and would not have to "cram" as much as Mr. Miller. One councilor interpreted answers to mean only Mr. Miller really hoped he could run in two years. Mr. Miller would have to be a fast learner because he would have much to learn. Not having been involved in government is an advantage for some people because they have a fresh perspective. Mr. Munkres has been a committed member of Ward 6 for a long time. He could represent the socio-cultural aspects of that area. He would not be intimidated because he is comfortable with his knowledge of the ward. Mr. Obie said both candidates knew the ward and the community. The abi 1 ity to communicate to the council and others and the ability to represent the -- City are important attributes of a councilor. The image of the City a councilor projects is also important. MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 19, 1984 Pa ge 3 e The councilors indicated informally how they would vote. Ms. Wooten would vote for Mr. Munkres because he would aggressively represent the people of the ward, is familiar with many citizens, has a good grasp of local government, and would work well with other councilors. Mr. Hansen would vote for Mr. Miller because all his activities are in ward 6, he is sensitive to a broad spectrum of people, and he would represent a new segment of the community that does not have a preconceived idea of government. Mr. Obie felt Mr. Miller would communicate and represent the City better. Arden had not communicated much on the Budget Committee. Mr. Munkres was honest about where he is on the politic spectrum. Mr. Obie did not see much difference in the candidates' philosophies and they both work with people in thei r careers. Ms. Ehrman would vote for Mr. Munkres. The Question about political orientation was fair, but the appointment should not be made to balance the council . Mr. Munkres was more knowledgeable about issues such as taxation and the urban growth boundary. His contacts at the University of Oregon would be valuable. Mr. Holmer was impressed with Mr. Munkres' knowledge of City problems and his ability to communicate with the other councilors. Mr. Holmer would vote for Mr. Munkres. e Ms. Bascom favored Mr. Miller. He would be a fresh face in City government and on the council and would give Ward 6 unique representation. Noting the informal balloting seemed to be tied at 3, Ms. Schue said the City was fortunate because both candidates were Qualified. She pointed out Mr. Munkres works with graphics. She hoped he would stay on the budget committee. Mr. Miller has developed skills working with groups and people. She, too, thought a "fresh face" would be useful. She would vote for Mr. Mi 11 e r . Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to cast a unanimous ballot to appoint Jeff Miller to the council seat for Ward 6. The motion passed unanimously, 7:0. 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