09/21/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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, ~ e Mr. Lieuallen expressed interest that staff come up with a more com- prehensive recommendation, including the possibility of a private economic development corporation that would perceive Eugene's needs, as opposed to locking itself into something that would not suit it. Mr. Porter, Planning Director, said that staff's report to the City Council was done quickly because of time restrictions. The conditions outlined were thought to best protect the City's interests. From staff's standpoint, he said, Eugene is in an economic environment bigger than the City alone. Given the kind of government in Oregon, - the county has been given the role of coordinating local cities' pro- grams. That is the nature of the environment. Eugene must recognize it is part of the county and try to work within the framework. Mr. Delay said he was certainly interested in cooperating with the county but, at the same time, he wishes to protect the interests of the City of Eugene. Mr. Whitelaw, economic consultant, said that the notion of an identifiable coordinative body to address economic issues in the county seems like a good idea, though the overall economy hardly needs a boost. There are more serious problems with land-use planning and the labor force, that must be addressed other than by an economic development district. Mr. Lieuallen wanted consideration given to a local economic development e corporation and, also, wondered whether it would be possible to dis- tinguish between urban and rural problems. It was understood that Mr. Haws would encourage L-COG to delay a decision until its October meeting and that staff would return with more information. III. Administrative and Legal Remedies under Federal Clean Air Act--September 16 memo from City Manager has been distributed to Council, along with an opinion from the City Attorney's office. Manager noted that it is the consensus of staff that the City should seek other legal remedies; namely, that the Federal Clean Air Act is being violated and that the City should seek a remedy by approaching the Environmental Protection Agency to en- force the Act. If that cannot be achieved through administrative action, then court action should be considered. City Attorney Stan Long noted that, in terms of time commitment, the City must be prepared to invest maybe even as much as several years. It is a major undertaking involving much time and money. Reasons to discontinue such a course may come up in the interim, but Council should be aware of the outside limitations. Mayor Gus Keller has issued a statement supporting adoption of the recommended course of action against field burning in the Willamette Valley. The reasons Mayor Keller gave were that field burning smoke is still a pollutant, it is caused by a special protected class--the seed growers, the seed industry has the power to control the direction of state legis- lation, field burning has taken the major portion of Eugene's lObbying - efforts in recent legislative sessions, and the field burning lawsuit would be consistent with Eugene's position with the state legislature. 116 9/21/77--3