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Fund money from the Lane County for road improvements. He pointed out that the University and <br />PeaceHealth employed people from all over the county, creating a logical nexus to the County Road Fund. <br />He did not want the council to be shortsighted because of its own funding problems. Mayor Torrey said the <br />City needed to make that part of the city work, and an overlay was not sufficient to realize that goal. He <br />urged the council to work with PeaceHealth to seek Road Fund dollars from Lane County for the needed <br />transportation improvements. He agreed with Mr. Meisner that the County was often more interested in <br />project funding, and thought the board would say yes to a well-crafted proposal. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey solicited a second round of council comments. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly spoke to the need for an increased connection between Eugene and the University, and suggested <br />that one way to achieve that was through a fixed-rail trolley. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly inquired about PeaceHealth's plans for the former Sony site. Mr. Yordy said that PeaceHealth <br />was still in the process of planning for the site. He said it was possible all medical records would be <br />consolidated at that location. In addition, PeaceHealth planned to do all supply distribution from that site. <br />There were also a series of functions previously planned for location at the RiverBend site that might be <br />potentially located on the Sony site, such as the main production kitchen facility, because the Sony site <br />contained excellent industrial kitchens. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman agreed there were opportunities that existed in the area in question and the area needed better <br />and safer transportation facilities, but pointed out the City had many other outstanding transportation needs, <br />such as its commitment to the transportation improvements associated with the courthouse. She questioned <br />how the projects could be elevated above other priorities at a time when PeaceHealth planned to decrease <br />employment and take down buildings at the site. She suggested that the issue be revisited in the far future <br />when redevelopment occurred and employment was increased. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner also encouraged PeaceHealth to apply for Lane County Road Funds. He hoped the council <br />would support that application. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner said as PeaceHealth refined its vision, he hoped it remembered the City's goal of having off- <br />and on-ramps at the new 1-5 bridge; a major consideration in doing so was to make that portion of Franklin <br />Boulevard a major access route to the hospital and downtown. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner determined from Mr. Yordy that PeaceHealth planned for the continued inclusion of space for <br />the police substation at the Hilyard campus. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap~ acknowledged the concerns expressed by councilors regarding the Road Fund, and suggested that <br />PeaceHealth employ its political clout to the extent possible to secure funding. Mr. Yordy said he looked <br />forward to partnering with the City in a request for funds. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey said it was important that PeaceHealth, the University, and other interested parties such as <br />Northwest Christian College work out the details of the needed transportation improvements before they <br />approached the City and Lane County for funds. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey solicited a third round of council questions and comments. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman determined from City Manager Taylor that Lane County had committed $1.6 million to the <br />transportation projects associated with the courthouse project. That commitment was in writing. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 11, 2004 Page 7 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />