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Councilor Bettman closed the Public Forum and called for council comments. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap6 said, regarding the availability of acreage south of town, he would appreciate a <br />memorandum from the City Manager. He recalled that the City had an opportunity earlier on to buy the <br />property for $325,000. He thought purchasing it for $600,000 would be a misuse of public funds. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap6 appreciated that Crest Drive neighbors came to testify. He said he would like more <br />information on whether there were other neighborhoods on the periphery of the City that had arterials or <br />collectors running through them. <br /> <br />Continuing, Councilor Pap6 thanked Mr. Borg for speaking about enterprise zones. He felt the testimony to <br />be very valuable as it spoke eloquently about the benefits of such a zone. <br /> <br />Regarding the rail yard, Councilor Pap6 said the City would like to conduct updated planning for all of the <br />city. He welcomed Mr. Handy's input in the Budget Committee process to see if funding could be found for <br />such planning. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly thanked everyone who came before the council and testified. He noted that one thing he <br />heard in the Crest Drive statement was that current standards could be disregarded because they were about <br />to be revised. He asked the City Manager to provide a memorandum in order to clarify what standards were <br />being used. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly said as he understood enterprise zones, they were entirely based upon the forgiveness of <br />property taxes. He asked staff to clarify that for him as Mr. Borg's testimony had indicated he received <br />loans through the zone. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly noted that The Register-Guard had called the property that bordered Nectar Way one of the <br />most distinctive natural areas remaining in Eugene. He hoped the City would give every attention to its <br />importance as part of the Ridgeline Trail system. <br /> <br />Regarding the political lawn sign vandalism, Councilor Kelly suggested looking to the City Recorder's office <br />to issue a clear statement regarding such signs. City Manager Dennis Taylor felt this was the appropriate <br />response. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly said much time was spent talking about available land supply and land development. While <br />he realized that the rail yard carried significant challenges, he also felt it carried tremendous opportunity <br />over the long haul as it was approximately 400 acres and centrally located. He expressed distress at staff's <br />response that the City had no money to do planning for the property and that it was waiting for someone to <br />offer to buy it. He encouraged staff to be proactive. <br /> <br />Councilor Meisner thanked everyone who testified. He shared that he walked along the river path and that <br />Mr. Brown was correct: there were continuing and escalating problems. He noted that the Budget <br />Committee approved and the council ratified fee increases to restore the river bank clean-up program. He <br />requested a memorandum providing a status report as well as information on what is currently not working. <br /> <br />Councilor Meisner said, with respect to the River Road/Santa Clara area, that it was an opportunity site and <br />required the City's interest in planning. He acknowledged there were many steps to take, including <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 27, 2004 Page 5 <br /> Regular Session <br /> <br /> <br />