City manager (right) is confronted by demonstrator at council meeting.
Photo by Clay Eals
City
manager,
mayor,
•council
govern
Eugene
i i
The official municipal cor
poration of the city of Eugene
dates back to 1862, with an act of
the Oregon Legislature. The law,
or charter, that the city operates
under today was written in 1905
when the city was rein
corporated
The citizens of Eugene voted in
1944 to adopt a “Council
Manager" form of government.
This was done by amendment to
the city charter The charter is
both specific and general in
nature. It lists some powers of the
city government and leaves it
open for the City Council to enact
any “ordinances, by-laws, and
regulations” that are con
stitutional and in the best in
terests of the citizenry.
A vote of the people is required
to amend the charter. Bond
issues and tax levies are charter
amendments.
In Eugene’s “Council
Manager” set-up the Mayor’s
office is the Executive Branch.
Lester Anderson is Eugene’s
Mayor. Eight people elected for
four-year terms comprise the
Common Council which is the
legislative Branch. Any official
council action must be taken at
the Monday evening sessions held
the second and fourth Monday of
every month. A Municipal Court,
headed by a judge appointed by
the Common Council, comprises
the Judicial Branch of the court.
The court has jurisdiction over
all offenses against the city.
A change or addition in the
city’s ordinance can take place in
two ways. If the city council
passes by a majority vote, and
the Mayor gives his approval, an
ordinance will become law in 30
days. Emergency measures
dealing with health, peace and
the safety are effective im
mediately following passage by
two-thirds of the Council. Also,
through the process of the
initiative, the voters may make a
change in the city ordinances.
The person in charge of ad
ministering and supervising a lot
that happens in the city is the City
Manager. Hugh McKinley is
Eugene’s City Manager.
He is appointed indefinitely by
the Council and is responsible for
reports, petitions and the annual
budget, enforces city ordinances,
acts as a business agent of the
Council and coordinates city
services with those of other
governmental units.
There ar«» three sections of the
Administrative Branch Central
purchasing for literally
everything the city uses is done
by a person appointed by the City
Manager. The 600 full-time
employees of the city are the
responsibility of the Personnel
department, and the Civil Service
Commission screens and certifies
employees in all civil service
positions.
Mayor Anderson signs affirmative action bill.
Photo by K*nt Smith