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MINUTES <br />Work Session of the Eugene City Council <br />Harris Hall, 125 East 8h Avenue <br />Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br />September 11, 2019 <br />12:00 p.m. <br />Councilors Present: Emily Semple, Betty Taylor, Alan Zelenka, Jennifer Yeh, Mike Clark, Claire <br />Syrett, Chris Pryor, Greg Evans <br />Councilor Taylor opened the September 11, 2019, Work Session of the Eugene City Council in <br />Mayor Vinis' absence. <br />1. WORK SESSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Ferry St. Manor - Application for Multiple -Unit <br />Property Tax Exemption for Mixed -Use Property <br />Business Development Analyst Amanda D'Souza, Community Development Director, Michael <br />Kinnison, and Economic Development Planner, Anne Fifield, presented information to council <br />about a request for a Multi -Unit Property Tax Exemption for the Ferry St. Manor project, a <br />proposed multi -unit housing development located at 1040 and 1050 Ferry Street. <br />Discussion <br />Councilor Semple - inquired about the boundaries of the MUPTE; inquired about parking <br />for the building associated with the MUPTE; expressed concern about the plan for Ferry <br />Street Manor and Eugene Manor to share parking; expressed opposition to parking <br />situation and inquired about alternatives; asked how developers will emphasize alternative <br />modes of transportation, what month construction would begin; and what would happen if <br />developers don't maintain the rates during the exemption period; asked about risks for the <br />City regarding rental rates and potential upcoming recession; asked about a response to the <br />minority report; expressed appreciation for project but hesitancy about investment and <br />parking; expressed concern about tax exemptions. <br />Councilor Clark- expressed appreciation for Councilor Semple's comments; discussed <br />council development of public benefits criteria and how this project fits within those <br />criteria; asked how the project tests concepts developed through conversations with <br />neighborhood association and local developers. <br />Councilor Pryor - discussed rent control bill restrictions to allay fears of increasing rents; <br />discussed work in rewriting MUPTE requirements (public benefits) and support for MUPTE <br />based on compliance with rules developed; expressed confidence in developers; shared <br />concerns related to parking downtown but said it should not stall the project; discussed <br />what could be developed on the lot instead of housing. <br />Councilor Evans - inquired about the tax history of lot related to revenue the City has <br />received from the lot. <br />Councilor Syrett - asked if tax dollars are given to developers, whether the current property <br />tax would continue to be paid during the exemption period, and if the developer would pay <br />System Development Charges for parks, transportation and infrastructure; inquired <br />rhetorically if project would take away from ability to pay for subsidized affordable <br />housing; noted general community disapproval of MUPTE and other tax breaks in light of <br />community needs; expressed reasons for approval of project and MUPTE. <br />Councilor Zelenka - asked how student housing provision works for project; expressed <br />support for the student housing provision despite lack of faith in that particular test; <br />MINUTES — Eugene City Council September 11, 2019 Page 1 <br />Work Session <br />