Board Members present: Jeff Osanka, Mike Dyer, Sandra Bishop, and Dorothy Anderson. President Smith was excused.
Others present: Randy Berggren, Dick Helgeson, Garry Kunkel, Jim Origliosso, Tom Buckhouse, Marty Douglass, Cathy Hamilton and Lamonte Smith of the EWEB staff; Tonie Nathan and Peter Bartel, members of the public and Kim Kunkel, Minutes Recorder.
With the absence of President Smith, Vice President Osanka called the meeting to order.
AGENDA CHECK
Vice President Osanka determined there was consensus to approve the agenda, as written.
ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
Commissioner Bishop stated that during a recent meeting of the Lane Council of Governments (L-COG), it was announced that a new group called Oregon's New Directions was formed and had met on April 16. Commissioner Bishop said she had wondered how the work of this new group might relate to that of the task force to which Commissioner Anderson was recently appointed. She said she had passed on to Commissioner Anderson the information she had regarding the group.
Commissioner Anderson stated that John Mitchell has obtained a copy of Portland General Electric's 20-minute video that focuses on issues pertaining to the Willamette River. Commissioner Anderson suggested that Commissioners might view the video during a future Board Meeting.
Vice President Osanka reported that he was recently contacted by a constituent who claims to have heard that either EWEB or the Fiber Optics Group (FOG) is considering using copper, rather than fiber, to connect EWEB's Telecommunications System to residences. He said that his approval of the Telecommunications Project was, in part, based on his understanding that the system would provide fiber connectivity to households. Mr. Berggren responded that the type of connection that will be used has not yet been determined. He recalled that throughout the Telecommunications Project process, staff had discussed the possibility of utilizing hybrid technology. Vice President Osanka stated that EWEB should establish, as a policy, that the connection to residences should be as efficient as fiber in terms of the service it provides. He requested that this issue be revisited during the next discussion of the Telecommunications Project.
Commissioner Bishop reported that she had received a telephone call inviting her to attend the June Active Bethel Citizens meeting. Noting that residents are interested in EWEB conducting a pilot Telecommunications Project in the Bethel area, Commissioner Bishop said Active Bethel Citizens has requested a presentation by EWEB concerning the project.
MINUTES
The Commissioners reviewed the minutes of the March 13 & 14, 1998, Board Retreat.
Referring to paragraph 6 on page 3 of the minutes of March 13, Commissioner Bishop requested that "biannual" be replaced with "semi-annual."
Referring to the final paragraph on page 4 of the March 13 minutes, Commissioner Bishop requested that "appoint" be replaced with "elect."
Referring to page 5 of the March 13 minutes, Commissioner Bishop requested that line 3 of paragraph 3 be amended to read, ". . .and to clarify the EWEB Board officer term limit of two consecutive one-year terms."
Referring to sentence 2 of paragraph 5 on page 5 of the March 13 minutes, Commissioner Bishop requested that "are not a purger" be replaced with "will not commit perjury." Commissioner Bishop requested that the following language be added as the concluding statement of paragraph 5: "She further suggested that the same 'oath of office' be offered for all elected officials. The oath should be worded in such a way as to eliminate the specific religious reference and also need not refer to the legal term 'perjury'."
Commissioner Dyer moved, seconded by Commissioner Bishop, to approve the minutes of the March 13 & March 14, 1998, Board Retreat, as amended. The motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Berggren reviewed the following information items included in the meeting agenda packet:
Mr. Berggren reminded the Board of its upcoming Board Retreat scheduled for May 1 & 2.
Mr. Berggren reviewed draft agendas for the May 5 Work Session and Regular Board Meeting.
Referring to the Work Session and Special Board Meeting scheduled for May 19, Vice President Osanka noted that because the primary election was also scheduled for that day, at least one Commissioner would experience a scheduling conflict. He inquired as to the Board's interest in either reducing the agenda of or rescheduling the May 19 Work Session and Special Board Meeting. Following brief discussion, the Board tentatively rescheduled the meeting for May 20.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no public input.
AMENDMENTS TO BOARD BYLAWS
Referring to the Eugene Water & Electric Board Bylaws that were included in the meeting agenda packet, Mr. Berggren stated that the amendment to Article 5 was in response to discussion by Commissioners during the March Board Retreat. He said the amendment eliminates the clause regarding seniority and clarifies that no Commissioner shall serve in the same office for more than two consecutive one-year terms.
Vice President Osanka commented that as a Commissioner who will be retiring from the Board in the near future, and therefore will not be affected by this amendment, he now thinks there may be value to the seniority-based rotation of Board officers. He explained that with such a system, a less popular Board member has an opportunity to serve in a leadership position. An annual election, however, may result in only popular Board members serving in leadership positions.
PUBLIC HEARING ON BOARD BYLAWS
Vice President Osanka opened the public hearing on the amendments to the Board Bylaws. Having determined there was no one present wishing to speak, Vice President Osanka closed the public hearing.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.