CCMinutes - 06/14/04 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Pap6 noted his request for financial information regarding the City's acquisition of the former Chiquita site and said he had received some data. He requested additional information on the topic, such as what the City owed the taxpayers in terms of its promises to the community that the acquisition would be a "wash." Mr. Pap6 was pleased to see that the Parks and Open Space Division received national recognition from the Public Relations Society of America for its newsletter, "Eugene Outdoors!" Mr. Pap6 thanked resident John Brown, members of the Southtown Rotary Club, members of the Delta Rotary Club, and employees of Pacific Continental Bank for their efforts in a recent riverbank cleanup. Ms. Nathanson had no items. Mr. Kelly referred to the letter from the Business Roundtable mentioned by Mr. Poling, and agreed that given the breadth of community interest in the subject, it was important that the council address the topic of the buildable lands inventory at some future time. He acknowledged that significant resources would be required for that effort. He asked Mr. Taylor to discuss staff's initial reaction to the proposals contained in the letter and to prepare a recommendation for proceeding. Ms. Taylor continued to be concerned about the negative effects of increased densities in established neighborhoods. She said she was awaiting more information about whether the contractor would take responsibility for the damage done to Whitbeck Road, which was maintained by current residents. She asked if the City had standards for people who buik in backyards or on flag lots, and if there were restrictions on where windows could be located and the height of the building. She reiterated she believed the City's policies were damaging established neighborhoods. Ms. Taylor reported that Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority proposed to establish a program for auxiliary power units for diesel trucks to avoid the problem of long-term truck idling. The agency was working with Oregon State University to investigate the best of the units available, and then would request a grant to train people to install them, and borrow money to buy them. She said she had information she would leave in the council office. Noting that the memorandum of agreement with the General Services Administration (GSA) did not commit the GSA to the actual construction of the federal courthouse, Ms. Bettman asked if an agreement could be developed stipulating a connection between progress on the proposed transportation and other infrastructure improvements and the progress on the courthouse project. She requested a memorandum updating the council on the courthouse project and discussing how to create the desired connection. Mr. Taylor spoke enthusiastically about several park openings that occurred the previous weekend, including Gilbert Park, Bethel Community Park, and Trainsong Park. He thanked the mayor for his attendance at the openings, the volunteers who worked on the celebrations, and staff of the Parks and Open Space Division and Library, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Mayor Torrey noted the upcoming groundbreaking of RiverPlay, a new children's park at Skinner Butte Park. He said the area Rotary Clubs had been raising additional funds for the park and in the fundraising process he was asked how the park would be maintained. He asked Mr. Taylor to direct staff to prepare and mail a one-page response regarding the topic. MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 14, 2004 Page 2 Work Session