HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes - 01/07/98 Work Session MINUTES
STATE OF THE CITY
O'Neill Williams Room--Eugene Conference Center
January 7, 1998
11:30 a.m.
I. WELCOME
Mayor James D. Torrey welcomed various guests, City Council President Laurie Swanson
Gribskov, Vice President Pat Fart, and councilors Tim Laue, Nancy Nathanson, Scott Meisner,
Bobby Lee, Betty Taylor, and Ken Tollenaar. He thanked the Shasta Middle School Band for its
performance and acknowledged director Joe Ingram and Shasta Principal Betsy Fernandez.
Mayor Torrey recognized and introduced elected officials present.
II. STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor Torrey began his remarks by quoting from an early speech made by Eugene's first mayor,
Sam Friendly, in April 1894 regarding the financial condition of the city. He noted that the speech
was made before women had the right to serve on the council. Mayor Torrey acknowledged the
contribution of women on the City Council. He contrasted the structure of the first common
council with that of the current council and noted that both councils consisted of unpaid
volunteers.
Mayor Torrey narrated a slide presentation illustrating the City's accomplishments over the past
year.
Mayor Torrey introduced members of the Eugene City Council present and thanked them for
improving the level of civility on the council and for their ability to express disagreement without
disrespect.
Mayor Torrey acknowledged outgoing Council President Laurie Swanson Gribskov with a gift of a
book.
Mayor Torrey commended the City Council and Budget Committee for meeting the challenges of
Ballot Measures 47/50. He reported that Eugene had been able to retain many services desired
by the public while keeping its financial status sound. Mayor Torrey noted the challenge facing
the City's new manager, Vicki Elmer, and acknowledged Ms. Elmer's contribution. He also
recognized the contribution of City employees and said that employees had continued to deliver a
high level of service when facing the stress of possible job loss.
Mayor Torrey recognized the following City employees for their professional and personal
contributions to the community with plaques: Tina Napier, Bob Hammitt, and Bev Mason.
Mayor Torrey recognized the Rotary Club for its work on Skinner Butte, in particular Ray Wiley,
and presented a plaque to Diana Bray and Peter Gribskov.
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Mayor Torrey recognized Janice Eberly for her coordination of the Summit on Youth; recognized
Charles Gray for his work with the Homeless Action Coalition; and recognized Dawn Baughman
for her work in securing a vital piece of fire fighting equipment.
Mayor Torrey recognized Eugene School District 4J Administrator Margaret Nichols for her
outstanding community contributions.
Mayor Torrey urged those in attendance to participate in the upcoming elections by running for
office or working on campaigns. He called attendees attention to the City Council's 1997-98
goals, included at each seating place.
Mayor Torrey identified the following initiatives for 1998: 1) funding for City parks; 2) formation of
a library committee to discuss the type of library services the community desired; 3) review of the
Land Use Code Update; and 4) establishment of a day time curfew for school-aged children.
Mayor Torrey indicated he would ask four organizations to review the Land Use Code Update
prior to council review: 1) Friends of Eugene; 2) Neighborhood Leaders Council; 3) Lane County
Homebuilders Association; and 4) the Eugene Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Torrey called for a prevention/intervention focus on youth crime rather than a suppression/
incarceration focus. He said that truancy was one of the first signs of trouble for youth, and he
did not think schools could address such problems alone.
Mayor Torrey thanked the community for electing him mayor.
City Manager Vicki Elmer presented the mayor with a plaque expressing her appreciation and the
appreciation of senior City management staff.
The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
(Recorded by Kimberly Young)
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