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Ginger Newman <br />, 3285 Ligmont Drive, said the MUPTE program allowed a developer to build better design into a <br />process. She described the process a developer must go through to use the MUPTE, and said that it took three to five <br />years to complete a project. During the time the MUPTE had been in place the council had begun to question the <br />MUPTE boundaries, which had a negative impact on developers. She suggested better projects with higher quality <br />resulted in higher property taxes. She said buildings would have a longer life, and their appearance would be <br />enhanced and there would be more open space and parking. She suggested the boundaries be left alone for a five- <br />year period to see how the program worked, which would also give developers time to bring projects to market. <br />Rents could be lower because of the property tax exemption. <br /> <br />Dan Neal <br /> encouraged the council to expand the MUPTE program into the Trainsong area as it was a powerful tool <br />for the development of multi-family structures. He said taking the West University area out of the boundaries was a <br />mistake. He said that by the twelfth year the City would break even and by the fifteenth year it would collect twice <br />the taxes it would have otherwise, with a commensurate effect after 20 years. He said that in some cases, councilors <br />were correct that projects would be built; however, the council could use MUPTE to encourage developers to invest <br />in sustainability improvements in their developments. He suggested that the result would be a win-win situation for <br />the City and the developer. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy closed the public hearing. <br /> <br />B. PUBLIC HEARING: <br />An Ordinance Concerning Prohibition of Extreme Fighting; Repealing Section 4.740 of the Eugene <br />Code, 1971, and Amending Section 4.990 of that Code <br /> <br />Keli Osborn of the Planning and Development Department was available to answer questions. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy noted that no one was present to speak, and opened and closed the public hearing. <br /> <br />C. PUBLIC HEARING: <br />An Ordinance Concerning Downtown Public Safety Zones; and Adding Sections 4.873, 4.874, 4.875, 8.876, <br />4.877, and 4.878 to Eugene Code, 1971 <br /> <br />City Manager Ruiz invited questions. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy opened the public hearing. <br /> <br />Tom English <br />, 2535 Fairmount Boulevard, indicated he served as a pastor and was concerned about the ordinance. <br />He said the poor and dispossessed ended up on his church’s property and it attempted to deal with them in a loving <br />and kind way. He did not think the ordinance would be enforceable. He preferred to see the money used for <br />enforcement. He pointed out there was no room at the jail for the individuals who would be arrested. He spoke of <br />the lack of social services and resources to serve those in need. He suggested the ordinance was a result of fear. <br />Although he understood the frustration, he thought the ordinance was the wrong policy. <br /> <br />th <br />Deb Frisch <br />, 2003 West 11 Avenue, offered general criticism of the police and district attorney and sarcastically <br />indicated her support for the ordinance. <br /> <br />John Raul <br />, 2590 Vista, said the situation on the street downtown was deteriorating. He described the situation near <br />his business. He was appalled that the city center was not a place where everyone felt welcome. He thought it <br />unfortunate that there was a mix of activities involving adolescents that the City enabled through its provision of <br />street furniture which street people claimed for their own. He supported a vital mix of people and was not interested <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 21, 2008 Page 2 <br /> Public Hearing <br /> <br />