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Responding to a question from Mr. Clark, Mr. Dedrick confirmed that the City's calculation of needed <br />land must be based on or tied back to the State job growth forecasts. Mr. Clark suggested a "chicken and <br />egg" conundrum resulted because while the presentation mentioned the strategies and goals of the <br />Regional Prosperity Plan, land demand was tied to the State forecast. He did not see how the <br />community's aspirational goals were tied to its planning. He asked which scenario the City should be <br />planning for. Mr. Dedrick said that the employment growth rate represented a safe harbor. The City <br />could use the State forecast without a legal challenge but it was not a given. The community could make <br />a case for higher job growth. Mr. Clark suggested a.9 percent growth rate meant the community would <br />not escape recession for 30 years. He wanted to plan for more robust growth. <br />Mayor Piercy observed that the council's discussions about economic development veered between the <br />local and regional situations because the local economy existed in the context of the regional economy. <br />Part of the conversation was about what Eugene was and what it was in relationship to the broader <br />regional economy. She recalled that she had provided the council with data that indicated the local <br />disaggregated unemployment rate was 8.7 percent, which was lower than nearby communities and the <br />state. <br />In regard to key industries, Mayor Piercy suggested that there was a relationship between foods and <br />natural foods and from there a further connection to natural products. That also touched on the <br />conservation of agricultural soils to boost the economy. <br />Mayor Piercy advocated for more contextual conversations with the City's regional partners about how to <br />better and more appropriately locate industrial land to build the economy. <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Ortiz about the future of the railroad yard, Mr. Dedrick said the City <br />had approached the railroad three years ago about its plans for property and heard the railroad had no <br />plans to dispose of the property or use it differently. The City's planning reflected the property's current <br />use. Recently there had been some discussion about rail -truck intermodal hubs and the potential that <br />green lumber products industries might wish to locate nearby. The property could play an important role <br />in the future but the City could not identify it as an available site. <br />Responding to a question from Ms. Ortiz about the Clear Lake area, Ms. Weiss clarified that staff was not <br />ruling out the site for housing but due to its zoning it could not be a first option. She also noted the <br />potential impact of the airport noise contour line on residential development. She anticipated further <br />discussion. Ms. Ortiz did not want to rule out that area for residential use. She noted the existing <br />residential development pattern that existed and suggested it was a natural location for single - family <br />homes. <br />Mayor Piercy observed that both improved rail passenger transport and improved freight transport would <br />economically benefit Eugene. Ms. Ortiz agreed. She emphasized her interest the family -wage jobs that <br />the railroad could provide and suggested the community find a way to incorporate that industry in its <br />work force development efforts. <br />Mr. Brown asked questions clarifying the State job growth forecast and the number of referrals the State <br />made to Lane County. He determined that Mr. Dedrick did not know where Rexius Forest Products <br />would move when it left its current Eugene site. <br />Mr. Farr recalled that Food for Lane County had partnered with Grain Miller, Golden Temple, and Glory <br />Bee Honey on a breakfast product that had been quite successful, but Grain Miller had not been able to <br />MINUTES— Eugene City Council November 23, 2011 Page 2 <br />Work Session <br />