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<br /> - Mr. Rutan questioned whether Mr. Boles' proposal should be a goal of future <br /> councils. <br /> Mr. Boles clarified his proposal as being to continue the Eugene Decisions <br /> process, if it is successful, using a streamlined model to institutionalize <br /> an ongoing strategic planning process for the City that serves as a basis for <br /> future decision-making and work planning. <br /> B. Downtown: Begin to Implement the Downtown Redesign Following a <br /> Public Vote <br /> Mr. MacDonald proposed dropping this goal. <br /> Mr. Boles supported revitalizing the Downtown Commission and assisting it to <br /> become proactive. He noted that the Downtown Commission has expressed feel- <br /> ings of being underfocused, overstaffed, and reactive. <br /> Mr. Nicholson felt the Downtown Commission's charge was too narrow to gener- <br /> ate enough public support for implementing the downtown redesign. He sug- <br /> gested formulating a new sustainable goal and a new body that could generate <br /> public support for downtown projects. Ms. Bascom suggested that Mr. <br /> Nicholson attend the commission's meetings. <br /> Mr. Rutan supported Mr. Boles's proposal. He felt that the Downtown Commis- <br /> sion has a broad representation. He noted that the vacancy rate on <br /> Willamette Street, between 7th and 11th avenues, is over 50 percent. <br /> - Mr. MacDonald disagreed that the Downtown Commission has broad representation <br /> and suggested reviewing the composition of the commission. He suggested that <br /> the commission develop a work plan to achieve this goal. Councilors con- <br /> curred. <br /> Mr. Gleason said this goal is an important staff issue. He described one of <br /> the problems as the focus on downtown being on too narrow an area of the <br /> downtown and noted that some areas of downtown are thriving. <br /> Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, to drop this as a <br /> goal and add it to staff's work plan. <br /> Ms. Ehrman shared Mr. Boles's concern that the council might be viewed as <br /> abandoning the downtown. Mr. Boles reiterated the commission's desire to <br /> become proactive and added that members have ideas which they would like to <br /> pursue, such as installing rest rooms and recruiting businesses. <br /> Mr. Miller said the council is concerned about the downtown but does not have <br /> a goal for it. Mr. MacDonald concurred. <br /> The motion failed 5:4, with Mayor Miller and councilors Rutan, <br /> MacDonald, and Nicholson voting in favor and councilors <br /> Robinette, Boles, Green, Ehrman, and Bascom voting against. <br /> e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 25, 1991 Page 5 <br />