11/01/1977 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ . :1 disparate difference among the three, or if the three were all well-qualified. e He wondered if there were any major differences in the three selected. Mr. Anderson said he thought Council should go back to the responsibilities that were charged to the Commission by ordinance. It was charged to make a recom- mendation which the Commission thought was in the best interests of the City of Eugene in developing this project. Consequently, the Commission followed the correct procedure' in delegating the matter to a subcommittee. He noted the number of hours of time it took to sift through the 27 applications and reduce that number to a manageable number to interview, with considerable additional time taken for the interviews. As to whether or not there was an effort to make a comparison that would show one over the other as being best, he said he could not answer. In view of the mandate given to the subcommittee, he specifically recalled they were to come back with the best three firms. Never at any time was there any effort made by anyone outside the Commission to indicate that only local architectural firms should be considered. He said if that were the situation, City Council should have notified the Commis- sion that that issue was to be determined before calling in the 27 applicants and screening them. He felt it unfair to have taken so much of the applicants' time if only local firms were to be considered. Adriene Lannom, a member of the Civic Center Commission, said the Commission had recommended to the Council three names they felt to be best. The first two names were prioritized because there was no disagreement on those two. On the issue of a local versus a national firm, she said she felt that was not the Commission's decision, as they were not so directed by Council. e Mr. Haws extended apologies that the Commission did not know he himself wanted a local firm to be selected. He said he did not approach any of the Commission or subcommittee members, as he did not feel it was proper for him to put pressure on them. He acknowledged the amount of time and work they had invested and apologized to them for the misunderstanding. However, he would like City Council to select a local firm, and by local, he meant one from the city of Eugene and not from the surrounding area. Mr. Lieuallen said Mr. Anderson's comments were correct, in that no one had given the Commission or subcommittee specific charge to deal only with local firms. Perhaps Council should deal with the local versus national issue now. He felt confidence in the Amundson Associates to do a very good job, noting they were local enough and he could support that selection. In comparing the first two selections presented, he said the issue of local tax dollars was a big one, and he felt the job should go to Amundson's. Mr. Bradley asked how many dollars were being talked about leaving the community if a national firm were selected. Mr. Baumgartner said that was an unknown factor, but on a basis of standard operating procedures, it would be roughly six percent of the total cost of the facility. Mr. Bradley then wondered if he had an opinion as to how much of the six percent would stay in the community. Mr. Baumgartner said each of the three firms had expressed a desire to associate with a local firm, or open their own office in Eugene, if that were the case. That discussion developed into another one as to which architectural firm would take the lead role. He continued that he felt any of the three firms selected would lead to a majority of the dollars staying e Council-ll/l/77 - 3 8l~