CC Minutes - 11/16/05 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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for City Council approval in December, and historically there had been interest in another bond measure for PROS Comprehensive Plan projects. He said staff was recommending that a PROS levy be deferred until 2008 because the PROS adoption process and subsequent project development work had not been completed. He stated that staff was seeking information on the council’s interests and priorities. Mr. Carlson said the intent of the day’s discussion was not to debate the details of any of the financial programs, but rather to provide direction to staff on which projects needed further analysis. He stated staff was seeking approval of the tentative election schedule included in the agenda packet, or direction on how the council wanted the schedule changed. Mayor Piercy invited questions and comments from the council. Ms. Taylor said there was no doubt about the need to renew both the Library and Youth/School Based Services local option levies, and she expressed confidence that they would be approved by the voters. She continued to believe this was not a good way to pay for essential services, and that tax reform or more reliable revenue sources were necessary. Ms. Taylor wanted to place a PROS measure on the 2006 ballot. She asked if adoption of the suggested motion today would preclude being able to put the parks issue on the 2006 ballot. Mr. Carlson replied that the actions taken by the council today would not dictate exactly what would be placed on the 2006 ballot. Staff was concerned about the time that would be needed through the public process for the PROS Comprehensive Plan adoption. Mr. Carlson said the council would need to consider the feasibility of the voters accepting three measures on the November 2006 ballot. Ms. Taylor recalled that the voters approved three measures in the past that were similar to those under consideration today. In response to a question from Ms. Taylor, Mr. Carlson said the council had until August 2006 to make a final decision on which measures to place on the November 2006 ballot. City Manager Taylor said there was sentiment on the part of some staff that going forward with the PROS bond issue as well as an operating and maintenance levy was desirable. He said the council could conclude to forward capital costs as well as operating and maintenance levies to the voters in November 2006. Ms. Taylor asked if the Oregon State Legislature resolved the school funding problem in 2007, could the City simply not collect the Youth/School Based Services local option levy. Mr. Carlson replied that current contracts with the schools districts contained a mechanism by which if the legislature raised the amount of revenue going to the school districts in 2003 or 2005 over a specified target, the amount the City levied would be reduced. Mr. Papé said that although he concurred with Ms. Taylor on the need for the school levy, he believed that the school district took too long to dispose of old school properties and Civic Stadium. Before he went forward with another levy, he wanted clear direction from the school district as to how it would get the revenue from either rent or sale of excess properties. Mr. Papé asked if it was known what measures other jurisdictions would be placing on the November 2006 ballot. Mr. Carlson said the Tentative Election Schedule in the agenda packet included all measures that staff was currently aware of. He said it did not appear that other jurisdictions would have measures on the MINUTES—Eugene City Council November 16, 2005 Page 2 Work Session