CCMinutes - 11/22/04 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Handy noted the County had handed over land use planning for the area some years back. He commented that, while the City should be a leader on issues of community planning, there did not seem to be funding for it. Regarding communication, he said currently the funding for newsletters and mailings was prorated due to the limited recognition policy and the neighborhood organization recognition policy. He asked how the County could be enjoined as a partner in such communication. He wondered if a moratorium on annexation should be considered until the City had dealt with the stormwater plan equity issues and its relationships with special districts such as the River Road Parks and Recreation District. Dennis Casady, PO Box 5028, Eugene, objected to the two developments proposed to receive a MUPTE. He did not feel it was right to ask property tax payers to pay so that others could forego payment. Doug Newton, 147 Cross Place, pointed out that the Certificate of Need process was created to prevent unnecessary duplication of medical facilities. He opined that the reality was that the process was needed to protect consumers from the "expansionist mindset" of hospital managers, the greed of medical profiteers, and the arrogance of politicians. He asserted that The Register Guard had a conflict of interest which hampered unbiased investigative reporting. He asked what made the City believe that McKenzie- Willamette/Triad would solve its financial problems by moving a few miles downstream. He thought its difficulties were the result of contractual relationships between its competitors and large group plans. He wondered if any doctors had suggested that the number of hospital beds in Eugene needed to be doubled and that the patients should have to pay the bill. He called Triad's history with the State "dubious" and asked what would prevent them from "bankrupting this hospital, too." He wondered how voters could be convinced that new taxes were needed to support the community in the face of providing "$20 million in corporate welfare" to Triad. Mr. Newton stated that EWEB had spent $22.5 million in 1987 to build its headquarters. He surmised that it would cost much more if it were to be built today. He thought the hospital was trying to take advantage of "gullible local politicians." He opposed "giving away" property, stressing that the City did not own the EWEB site. Bruce Miller, PO Box 50968, commended the City Council for passing "Step 1" in the rental housing standards. He lauded the people who had worked for its passage. He related that he had spoken with Catholic and Jewish leaders regarding the standards. He urged them to "step up to the plate" and advocate for them. Mr. Miller complained that the University of Oregon president was an "obstacle to student progress." Mayor Torrey closed the Public Forum and called on the council for responses and comments. Councilor Taylor thanked everyone for testifying. She reiterated her opposition to the McDougal land swap, as it would take farm land out of production. She said it was bad for the Santa Clara neighborhood and bad for the whole community as agricultural land was an asset the City could not afford to lose. Councilor Pap~ thanked Mr. Handy for testifying regarding issues in the River Road/Santa Clara area. He appreciated the partnership he wanted to forge in dealing with the issues. He said the issues were not solely couched in whether to annex or not to annex, but rather how to provide the services to the area. He noted he had spent some time earlier in the day with County officials discussing how some County funds could be MINUTES--Eugene City Council November 22, 2004 Page 4 Regular Meeting