HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 01/11/99 WS MINUTES
STATE OF THE CITY
O'Neill/Williams Rooms--Eugene Conference Center
January 11, 1999
11:30 a.m.
I. MUSIC/WELCOME
Mayor James D. Torrey called the meeting of the City Council to order and welcomed various
guests, including City Council President Pat Fart, Vice President Ken Tollenar, and councilors Tim
Laue, Nancy Nathanson, Scott Meisner, Bobby Lee, Betty Taylor, and Laurie Swanson Gribskov.
He thanked the North Eugene High School Jazz Ensemble and Hi-Tones for their performance
and acknowledged directors Bill Robbins and Al Villanueva.
Mayor Torrey recognized and introduced City Manager Jim Johnson, local elected officials, high
school students and principals, and City staff members who were present.
II. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE
Administrative Services Director Warren Wong administered the Oath of Office to incoming City
Councilors Gary Rayor (Ward 1), David Kelly (Ward 4), Gary Pap~ (Ward 5), and continuing City
Councilor Pat Fart (Ward 6). Following the administration of the Oath of Office, each of the
aforementioned City Councilors issued brief remarks. Mr. Pap~ stated for the record that contrary
to allegations that he has a conflict of interest, he has not been the legal owner of Sanipac for
quite some time.
II1. RECOGNITION OF RETIRING COUNCILORS
Mr. Torrey recognized the contributions of retiring City Councilors Tim Laue (Ward 1), Laurie
Swanson Gribskov (Ward 4), and Ken Tollenaar (Ward 5). Each retiring councilor issued brief
comments related to their service on the City Council.
Mr. Torrey recognized continuing City Councilors Betty Taylor, Bobby Lee, Scott Meisner, and
Nancy Nathanson.
IV. RECOGNITION AWARDS
Mr. Torrey presented recognition awards, as follows:
MINUTES--State of the City January 11, 1999 Page 1
Library NO W Committee · Molly Stafford
· Bill Sullivan
Mayor's Library Improvement Committee
· Julie AspinwalI-Lambert
Parks for AII of Us Committee · Charles Warren
· Steve Johnson
United States Marine Corps · Captain Jonathan Hill
· Staff Sergeant Kenneth Brinton
Community Service Award · Gretchen Miller
Employee Recognition · Zane Renfro
· Susan Eilers
· Francisca Johnson
High School Student Leaders · Alex Habliston (North Eugene High School)
· Courtney Bowman (Churchill High School)
· Marshall Clement (South Eugene High School)
· Ruth Fischer (Sheldon High School)
· Lindsey Rogers (Willamette High School)
· Courtney Barta (Marist High School)
IV. STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mr. Torrey reviewed the progress toward achieving his 1998 agenda. His 1998 agenda items
included 1) passage of levy for new library; 2) passage of bond levy for parks and open spaces;
3) establishing a group to review impacts of Land Use Code Update; and 4) a way to address
truancy. Mr. Torrey was pleased to report that both the library and parks/open spaces levies
passed and a Land Use Code Update review group was formed. He noted that although his
proposal for a daytime curfew was unpopular, the proposal generated valuable discussion
between himself and local youth. Mr. Torrey said these discussions revealed a common opinion
among youth that rather than forcing individuals to attend school, officials must create reasons
for youth to remain in school.
Mr. Torrey recommended that City officials work with intergovernmental partners in soliciting
support from the legislature, Congress, and local representatives for the following six-point
Eugene Youth Agenda:
1. Acquire additional funding for Lane County's Healthy Start Program
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2. Request that City Council and City staff support a "Lighted Schools" program
3. Solicit legislative support of Bethel School District's Learn to Read/Read to Learn Program
4. Expand the Safer Schools Program to assign police officers to middle schools
5. Establish a Eugene Youth Council
6. Identify programs to address the problems of poor school attendance and drop outs
Mr. Torrey presented a brief overview of the growth management issues the City must address, and noted that
a blue ribbon planning group for "Downtown North" will be established. He said a variety of interests will be
represented.
Mr. Torrey concluded by citing a portion of Robert Frost's poem entitled "Stopping by the Woods on a
Snowy Evening."
The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
(Recorded by Kim Kunkel
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