CC Minutes - 04/13/98 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Fart moved, seconded by Mr. Tollenaar, to approve the consent calendar. Ms. Taylor asked that the meeting minutes of February 16 be pulled so she could review the meeting tapes and make a correction. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 8:0. II1. PUBLIC HEARING: URBAN RENEWAL Bob Hibschman, Planning and Development Department, said that the passage of Ballot Measure 50 impacted urban renewal by reducing tax revenues by 40 percent or more for the 39 renewal agencies in Oregon. He said that the change was a result of fundamental revisions to Oregon's property tax system. Mr. Hibschman said since urban renewal districts had entered into commitments through their existing plans, the State legislature allowed for property tax revenues to be sustained, or "grandfathered." The State legislation provided for three grandfathering options, one of which the City must select within seven weeks. Mr. Hibschman said that there were three basic choices: 1) termination; 2) collecting the base; or 3) grandfathering existing revenues. Mr. Hibschman said that there were six options related to the City's urban renewal districts developed by the council for the public hearing: Downtown District A. Build no Projects B. Preserve Option for Library Only C. Preserve Option for Library and Downtown Projects D. Preserve Option for Downtown Projects Only Riverfront District E. Discontinue City Participation F. Reduce City Participation Mr. Hibschman referred the audience to the handout distributed at the meeting, which included the options above and a list of possible projects for the downtown urban renewal district. He noted that the council would select an option at its work session on April 15. Mayor Torrey opened the public hearing. John Lawless, 90 East 26th Avenue, said that he represented the American Institute of Architect's Local Affairs Committee. His organization supported urban renewal as a tool to keep Eugene growing in the right direction. He said that the visions had been formulated for downtown and the riverfront. Mr. Lawless said his organization looked at the potential of downtown projects and perceived several that made sense in strengthening downtown. He MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 13, 1998 Page 2 7:30 p.m.