06/18/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

with its Business Assistance Team and Joint Committee on Economic Development, e should have the primary role. He said Ms. Wooten had been correct two years ago when she suggested the use of outreach centers. Ms. Wooten said the City has been too polite in its development efforts. Mr. Obie responded that the Eugene/Springfield area has improved its image and the opportunity was now present to make some progress. Councilor Holmer said it appeared that roles would exist for both sides in such a program. He said the Chamber of Commerce has not had the tax resources to perform such actions. He questioned whether it was appropriate for the City to market the community, stating that the City should develop its infrastructure and provide the private sector with a voice in the program if the City wanted its financial support. Mayor Keller questioned whether developing policy issues might assist in the discussion. He said he personally did not see a role for the chamber in the program, stating that a confiict of interest existed and that the private sector should not dictate the program because it had not been successful in the past. Councilor Ball said the people did not care who acted as long as some progress was made. Ms. Wooten said she understood the comments by Mayor Keller and Mr. Holmer but added that the chamber had not developed any jobs for the community and it was necessary to try something different. In response to Mr. Holmer's comment that few sitings had occurred in the past 18 months, Ms. Wooten said the majority of jobs were not created by one siting. She said Eugene must be innovative because it was competing with cities with more economic advantages. Councilor Hansen said it appeared that the council was looking for immediate results. He said he did not care who the entity was but that all the players must be involved in progress toward the common goal. He said the City must feel e comfortable with the economic outreach program. While he understood that each group would want to take individual credit for such a program, he stressed the need for the groups to be organized into a team. City Manager Micheal Gleason stated that the Chamber of Commerce, Springfield, and Oregon Pacific have all assisted in developing the metropolitan area. He said the foundations have been laid, but it was necessary for the resources to be focused. He stated that he was concerned with the failure of the timber industry to regain its previous level. Councilors Obie and Wooten recognized that any program would be long-term and that resources must be focused. Mr. Obie stressed that all players, especially the University of Oregon, must be involved. He requested the council to allow him to take the lead on the economic development project, stating that he will provide feedback to the council. Councilor Hansen agreed, adding that the program must be agreeable to all concerned. He felt the City has recognized its shortcomings and has made some progress. Mayor Keller commented that the chamber must invest the majority of effort if it wanted to be the major player in the program. He stressed that a partner- ship would not develop from one partner dictating to the others. He felt the work of the BATeam has been successful even though no sitings have occurred. In response to Mr. Gleason's comment on the timber industry, he said that a 1977 report had stated that the jobs would be gone, but that the situation occurred sooner than expected. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 18, 1984 Page 3