10/26/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mayor Miller and councilors Ehrman, Boles, Bennett, and Schue all expressed optimism about the Library, and Ms. Ehrman thanked councilors for their participation in public forums. Mr. Green wondered what would happen to the existing library building. Mr. Rutan noted that regardless of the final outcome, the council has fulfilled its leadership role by providing the community what it asked for. Ms. Bascom asked the council to consider making the Special Events Plan its economic development focus. She questioned the effectiveness of some publications of the Planning and Development Department. She felt it was sometimes difficult to tell what audience was targeted for these publications or why they were being done. Mr. Rutan said it was important for the council to continue its leadership role in making the Riverfront Research Park a reality. He applauded the success of the Airport project. C. Downtown Ms. Ehrman was discouraged by an inflammatory article in The Register-Guard. Mr. Rutan described the article as counterproductive and stressed the importance of the council's making a firm decision about downtown. Mayor Miller was encouraged by public involvement in the planning process, but Mr. Rutan was concerned that too few people care about the future of downtown. Mr. Green hoped for specific recommendations on how the downtown area might be improved. He was especially concerned about accessibility and how to e increase pedestrian traffic. Mr. Boles considered the Retail Task Force report a useful tool. and Mr. Bennett encouraged the council to take a strong position on that report's recommendations. Mr. Bennett shared Mr. Green's concern about access and said that the City is facing one of the most important decisions since urban renewal came into existence. D. Housing Ms. Ehrman expressed disappointment about the recent controversy surrounding a proposed shelter for homeless people, and she viewed the County as the appropriate administrator of the program. Mayor Miller commended the Social Goals Committee for its leadership on housing issues and Mr. Rutan commended the council for its provision of leadership. Mr. Boles and Mr. Bennett agreed that adequate progress was not being made on the housing goal. Mr. Bennett objected to the County's being assigned the lead on housing issues and said that while another social goal may be identified, housing should continue to receive attention because it is so basic to everything else the council wants to do. Ms. Schue recalled arguing unsuccessfully 15 years ago for retaining a separate housing authority. She cited the purchase of sites, the construction of the Uhlhorn Apartments, and the University's interest in a site near South Eugene High School as victories in the effort to address the housing goal. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 26, 1990 Page 2 Goal-Setting Session