Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. Zelenka commented that the West Broadway Advisory Committee had hosted two recent public <br />involvement events. He said about 400 people attended the first event and 130 the second event to provide <br />input on the downtown project. He said the level of participation confirmed that the project was important <br />to the community. He said the Eugene Pride Day event was well-attended and enjoyable. He agreed with <br />Mr. Clark that the new police auditor facility was pleasant and people-friendly. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka announced that the Metropolitan Policy Committee (MPC) was developing a new, interactive <br />website using Google maps to identify and provide details of every transportation project using State or <br />federal funds in the metropolitan area. He said the Regional Transportation Plan was being updated and <br />there would be a public hearing at the September MPC meeting. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz reminded the community that the City was accepting applications for boards and commissions and <br />encouraged individuals who were interested in becoming more involved in local government activities to <br />apply. She attended the Human Rights Commission potluck and enjoyed spending time with members of the <br />advocacy community. She indicated she had recently participated in a panel discussion before a group of <br />Latino youth about being involved in local government and encouraged them to consider public sector <br />careers, including firefighting. She hoped that councilors were responsive to feedback from staff on the <br />council's goal related to race. She said that pollution in the railroad yards was a critical concern and the <br />community was looking to the council for leadership. She hoped the problem could be the subject of a <br />council work session. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy conveyed appreciation from the synagogue to the City for it support and speaking out against <br />hate crimes. <br /> <br />Ms. Jones thanked the council for the opportunity to serve as interim city manager. She said her objective <br />during the transition period was to keep communications open to ensure she was following the council's <br />direction. <br /> <br />Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Pryor, moved to allocate up to $7,500 from General <br />Fund contingency to provide for fully free event parking at all City garages and <br />parking meters during the Eugene Celebration. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy reported that Downtown Events Management, Inc. (DEMI) felt free parking would invite <br />people into downtown for the celebration. She said DEMI was also pursuing those things in which the <br />council expressed an interest, including free buses, bike parking and alternative forms of transportation. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka asked if the $7,500 allocation would go into the parking fund. Ms. Jones said it would. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman said she would be unable to support the motion even though it was not a significant amount of <br />money because it meant the council was taking one step forward and two steps back. She said if the council <br />wanted to move towards sustainability, it had to incentivize behavior that would lead to sustainability and <br />disincentive behavior that was unsustainable. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy felt the motion accomplished several things: it invited people to come downtown, it <br />encouraged an interest in the development of downtown, it supported a special event, and it encouraged the <br />use of alternative forms of transportation. <br /> <br />The motion passed, 7:1; Ms. Bettman voting in opposition. <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 13, 2007 Page 2 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />