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Perle’s concerns regarding street annexations. He noted that Planning and Development Department <br />(PDD) staff had called street annexations reasonable and logical. He opined that this was not “panning <br />out.” He questioned why the City was looking to create a contentious situation for a possible short-term <br />gain. <br /> <br />Mike Morin <br />, 361 West Broadway, #12, wished to second the comments of Ms. Syrett. In regard to the <br />Sustainable Business Initiative, he averred that if profits were to be made then profits should be reinvested <br />in the community. He declared that sustainability must address global warming, peak oil, noise, and air <br />and water pollution. He said by 2020 people needed to radically reduce their dependence on the automo- <br />bile. He lauded Mr. Rexius for the work he had done, but disagreed that the community should have as a <br />goal to attract outside businesses. He questioned why the City would do so when it had “such a talent <br />pool” associated with the University population. He said the big issue was equity; sustainability without <br />equity and equity without sustainability would not work. He felt the goal should not be more rental housing <br />and wages but rather the goal should be to give ownership to the less fortunate members of society. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy closed the Public Forum and called for council comments. She conveyed her appreciation <br />for all of the work that the task force members had done on the Sustainable Business Initiative. She wished <br />to point out that the process had included two community forums, surveys, 750 people, and 50 people on a <br />technical advisory committee in an attempt to be as inclusive as possible. She thanked the people who <br />spoke about the initiative for coming to the council meeting. She also expressed appreciation for the people <br />who spoke on other topics. <br /> <br />Councilor Papé echoed the Mayor’s comments regarding the public testimony. He had been very <br />concerned and disturbed to hear of the Quail Run homeowners difficulties in communicating with EWEB. <br />He intended to call EWEB Commissioner Ron Farmer regarding the tower issue. He noted that unless <br />there were issues related to money, the City Council had very little influence over EWEB. <br /> <br />Councilor Papé was also concerned about the practice of “piggybacking” street annexations on top of <br />property annexations. He asked for a memorandum in response to Ms. Perle’s testimony. He thought there <br />should be a community discussion on this issue. <br /> <br />Regarding the reuse of City Hall, Councilor Papé said he was concerned with the safety of the structure. <br />He explained that the City had obtained several studies of the seismic inadequacies of the structure. He <br />averred that he would not put a public place in the place of the City Hall without improving the building <br />structurally. He added that the City would not have the resources to provide the needed seismic upgrades. <br /> <br />Councilor Solomon said she also wished to have a memorandum clarifying the council’s authority over <br />EWEB. She wanted to know what the council could do to encourage EWEB to move on the issue. She <br />thanked the Quail Run residents for coming down and testifying. <br /> <br />Councilor Solomon announced that residents in her ward, the North Eugene/Bethel/Danebo area, would <br />have an opportunity to provide comments on September 26 to the Mayor and her at the Albertson’s Store. <br /> <br />Councilor Poling said he had the same question regarding the delineation of authority over EWEB. He <br />urged his colleagues to do what they could to ask EWEB to work more closely with the Quail Run <br />residents. He declared that something must be done about the problem. He said he had been invited to <br />view the damage and had been amazed. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council September 25, 2006 Page 7 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br />