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<br /> must develop an entity to be involved in the economic development area. <br /> - He said the City has the authority to form such an entity but that it must <br /> determine how to properly use it. Mayor Keller commented that funding will <br /> be a major issue, of which the key will be the council IS commitment to the <br /> spending of any resources. He said he understood Mr. Obie to say that any <br /> action by the City must be at a higher level. He said the staff had the <br /> talent to accomplish those goals although most outsiders did not view the <br /> City as making any progress toward those goals. <br /> Councilor Obie stressed that the private sector must be involved because the <br /> City needed its financial support. Councilor Hansen said he was surprised at <br /> the suggestion of a business tax to support the program and that he was unsure <br /> of the reaction by the private sector because he was not sure of the entire <br /> process. He suggested that some business charges be put on hold to facilitate <br /> support for the economic development program. Mr. Obie said the community <br /> must be comfortable with the program and the need for the program itself. <br /> Mr. Hansen, referring to a recent article in the Ore~onian on Portland, stated <br /> that some people were surprised at the importance belng placed on industry. <br /> Mr. Obie suggested that the council schedule two sessions, one to discuss <br /> economic development and one to discuss goals. <br /> Councilor Ball said he was not clear on the form of such a new organization. <br /> While he acknowledged Mr. Obie's statement that any effort must be on a higher <br /> level, he questioned whether a new entity was required. Ms. Wooten suggested <br /> several possibilities for the entity, stating that any such entity may have or <br /> require a variety of structure formats. She said that a key element was the <br /> e ability to coordinate the resources for such an effort. <br /> Councilor Hansen still questioned the program and the need for outreach centers, <br /> stating that the players for such a program already existed. Mr. Obie said he <br /> felt the outreach centers would achieve sitings in Eugene. He stressed the need <br /> for Eugene to build relationships and to capitalize on its economic factors--the <br /> university and the airport--and projects such as the Riverfront Park. He <br /> stressed the need for the City to become involved and reverse the downward <br /> economic spiral of the metropolitan area. <br /> Councilor Holmer said that Mr. Obie had presented his program to the Executive <br /> Committee of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce. In response to Mr. Obie's <br /> statement of the need for program financing, Mr. Holmer said the committee had <br /> stated that the City must develop its infrastructure and business assistance <br /> program. The committee had also stated that the private sector must have a <br /> role and voice in the program to satisfy the business community. Mr. Obie <br /> stated that the program had clear public and private roles, stating that the <br /> scope of the council was city-wide. He said the City needed an organization <br /> to develop the program and then to report back to the council. He said the <br /> private side was needed to create the arena for the program and then the <br /> public side could provide the follow-up. He stressed the need for involved <br /> participation to solve the community problem. Stating that Mayor Keller had <br /> some difficulty with the private sector assuming a strong role in the program, <br /> he said he felt the City Council has taken the lead during the past five years <br /> and it was frustrated with the lack of participation by the other players. <br /> Stating the need for the players to be totally committed, he said the City, <br /> - <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 18, 1984 Page 2 <br />