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greatly increasing the property tax contribution the property made to the City. She said this had brought <br />home to her why someone would want to take a mobile home park and build something of more value on it. <br />She averred that around the State, the pressure on the land within urban growth boundaries (UGBs) caused <br />the value of the land to dramatically increase and people wanted to convert land such as the property by the <br />bridge to something with a higher value. She stated that the City then benefited from such a change with an <br />increase in revenue. She felt strongly that the committee did what it had been asked to do but she wanted to <br />stress that the ordinance would not solve the problem, as the real problem was the lack of available land on <br />which to build housing. <br /> <br />Councilor Bettman called it a myth that the City benefited with the intensification of use of land. She <br />asserted that the City did not benefit financially as it may receive more in taxes but it cost more money to <br />meet the increased burden in services. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy said the real reason the ordinance was before the council was to create fairness and justice for <br />the people who lived in the manufactured home parks. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka supported the ordinance. He believed a mix of housing was needed in the community. <br />He felt a mobile home park was one of the few “refuges” for people who had a low income. <br /> <br />Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 7:0. <br /> <br /> <br />4. ACTION: <br /> <br />An Ordinance Authorizing the Institution of Proceedings in Eminent Domain for the Acquisition <br />by Condemnation of Property for Park and Open Space Land Near the Amazon Creek Headwa- <br />ters in South Eugene; and Declaring an Immediate Effective Date <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy stated that Councilor Poling had requested that no action be taken on the ordinance in his <br />absence. She said Councilor Zelenka had an intended motion that would not enact the ordinance but would <br />help to lay the groundwork for the next step and that Councilor Poling was not opposed to it. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka, seconded by Councilor Ortiz, moved to <br />1. Direct the City Manager to get an appraisal as soon as possible on each of the <br />properties based on low, medium, and high levels of development density. As part <br />of obtaining the appraisals, the City shall contract with whatever consultants are <br />necessary to develop an opinion and supporting rationale as to the “highest and best <br />use of the property” as that term is used by appraisers. <br />2. Schedule a work session as soon as possible after the completion of the appraisals <br />and related information, where we will discuss the following topics: <br />a. History and status of development and purchase proposals on both proper- <br />ties (including citizen activities); <br />b. More detailed eminent domain process and issues discussion (in Executive <br />Session); and <br />c. Potential sources of money for the purchase of the properties, especially <br />funds other than the Parks Bonds <br />3. Bring back the ordinance only after the work session and with the following lan- <br />guage changes: <br />a. Delete Section 5 which calls for immediate effect; <br />b. Add language that describes the importance of preserving the Amazon <br />Headwaters for water quality purposes; and <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 9, 2007 Page 4 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br />