COOS BAY — They may have differences of opinion about a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal, but all Coos Bay’s city councilors want to have a voice in the siting process.

The city’s leaders discussed what kind of resolution they might consider adopting on the controversial issue. But they haven’t set a deadline for a decision.

Staff had prepared a draft resolution for the council to consider at its meeting Tuesday. In the document, the city demands inclusion in the process.

The draft resolution suggested the current federal approval process might be un-American and that the city agreed with Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s position on the matter. The governor has asked the federal government to consider whether Oregon needs LNG in making its decision.

Councilor Michele Burnette wasn’t comfortable with the first statement.

“I think the name calling is politically inappropriate,” she said. “I’m not the authority on what is and isn’t un-American.”

While Burnette had no problem agreeing with the governor, others said they were reluctant to do so without having a better understanding about the issue.

“We need all the information before we sign the letter,” Gene Melton said.

In previous meetings, John Muenchrath and Mark Daily had all but come out in opposition to the project. On Tuesday, their comments were tempered. City attorney Nate McClintock told them the council has to remain neutral because it might judge a land appeal regarding the pipeline route, which could go through land within the city’s jurisdiction underneath the bay.

Muenchrath still said he didn’t like the idea of project proponents potentially using eminent domain to build a pipeline.

Daily said local input should have a greater role in the process.

“The council has no authority here,” he said. “We are kind of left out of the process. It’s pretty discouraging, I think.”

After 30 minutes of discussion, without taking public comments, the council asked staff to write a letter based on the first paragraph of the proposed resolution.

It simply reads:

A resolution of the City Council of the city of Coos Bay Oregon to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission demanding inclusion of state and local jurisdictions in the LNG siting process.

Stephanie Kramer suggested the city might want to write something longer.

“That would be a pretty short letter,” she said.

Burnette argued otherwise.

“Sometimes, less is more.”