06/29/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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B. Trade and Development e Mr. Holmer said he had attended a meeting of the Metropolitan Partnership with a member of a Japanese firm investigating trade possibilities. The Chairman of the State Development Commission and other dignitaries were present. Mr. Holmer's perception was that the Japanese company was favorably impressed. Mayor Obie thanked Mr. Holmer for his recent assistance with visiting representatives of a Japanese company. He asked for council approval of his request that Mr. Holmer take the council's point on the West Eugene wetlands issues. Mr. Holmer said he had attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic Development where problems relating to industrial development and wetland preservation had been discussed. Wetland banking, which would allow for development of wetlands, was identified as a potential solution needing further exploration. Mr. Holmer recommended moving cautiously in wetland development. Ms. Schue said Lane Council of Governments (L-COG) and Cascade West Development have expressed a concern with Spectra-Physic's development and she referred to an economic development grant that may be involved. Mayor Obie anticipated that the wetlands issue would be a council problem for the next ten years. C. The Arts e Mr. Holmer referred to an issue relating to support of arts groups in Eugene that had been raised earlier by Ms. Wooten. He reported on his participation on the Grants Committee of the Arts Foundation. Mr. Holmer said the Arts Foundation is in the process of redefining its mission to ensure that it is not competing with performing arts groups nor in competition with the Lane Regional Arts Council. The regional representative of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) met with representatives of the arts groups recently to discuss distribution of NEA funds. Ms. Bascom complimented Mayor Obie for representing the council at the Bach Festival. She described the festival's free noon concerts at the Hult Center as a good use of the facility. . Mayor Obie said Mr. Holmer had expressed an interest in being appointed to fill the vacant position on the Cultural Affairs Commission. Earlier council discussions had not approved council representation on that committee, and Mayor Obie asked for additional consideration. Mr. Holmer said he viewed the performing and representation arts as important to Eugene's destination point campaign, and because of his increasing interest in the arts he would be happy to serve. Ms. Schue approved of having a council representative on the Cultural affairs Commission to help keep the council informed about progress in the areas of the arts. ~MINUTES--EUgene City Council June 29, 1988 Page 2