Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

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of what the highest use of tax dollars would be. He noted the recent discussion of the need for a new City Hall and the need to maintain streets. He acknowledged the citizens’ desire to improve the downtown area but he felt that if questions were asked regarding how it would be paid for in light of the financial needs in other areas, such as the street maintenance and preservation and new city hall, citizens would have a different response. He asserted that parking structures would be on the bottom of their list of priorities. He suggested that the project be placed before the public and financed with a General Obligation (GO) bond. He supported having a vibrant downtown, but he wanted the City to do it in a publicly accountable way. Russ Brink , 251 West Broadway, said he lived at Broadway Place. He read into the record an email from Sue Prichard, Downtown Eugene Incorporated (DEI) board member. He noted that Ms. Prichard was very knowledgeable about the economy of the downtown and the leasing and sale of real estate in the downtown area. Ms. Prichard supported adoption of the ordinance. She believed that tax increment financing was a good tool that would ultimately improve the values of surrounding businesses. She thought it was sometimes okay to make small sacrifices for the overall gain of the community. David Monk , 3720 Emerald Street, declared that all of the citizens would love to see their taxes stay in their neighborhoods. He opined that it was a great deal for the property owners in the downtown area. He wanted to see revitalization in the downtown area but he questioned how the City was going about it. He alleged that Connor and Woolley were largely responsible for the “blight” in the downtown and opined that “getting rid of them” would improve it. Mr. Monk opposed the ordinance until a specific plan had been developed and the WBAC was done with its work. He reiterated Councilor Bettman’s concern regarding the lack of money listed in Table 5 that was slated for transit, pedestrian, and bicycle improvements and other public facilities. He also had not seen money in the plan for relocation and transition costs for the businesses that could be displaced. Rob Handy , 455½ River Road, was excited about bringing more housing to the downtown area. He asked how the public subsidy could be weighed against the public benefit. He suggested that the City should look at some of the buildings other than the two slated to be renovated. He believed that other buildings would have public benefit to the public subsidy that citizens would understand. He likened the City’s involvement with the developers to a younger woman being dazzled by an older man with money. He asked the council to have the courage to stick to its convictions and to remember the past. Mayor Piercy closed the public hearing and called for questions and comments from the council. Councilor Taylor suggested that while the existence of the holes was being prolonged, the community should consider placing community gardens in them. She asserted that the opportunity for housing had been lost for the Charnelton Street site. Councilor Taylor commented that when the City first discussed options to buy the properties she had toured them. She felt there was a lot of life in those buildings. She agreed with Ms. Byxbe’s recommendation not to build an “instant downtown.” She thought it should be incremental and “organic.” She also thought the initiative to require expenditure of more than $2 million in public money to go before a vote of the people was a good idea. She concurred with Mr. Nicholson, adding that some of the best projects were not subsidized and were outside the urban renewal districts. She also agreed with Mr. Wostmann’s suggestion that the project be paid for with a GO bond. Councilor Bettman expressed appreciation for everyone who testified. She wanted the public to understand that although she opposed the amendments to the plan, it did not mean that she did not support downtown redevelopment of both of the “holes” and the Centre Court and Washburn buildings. She stressed that these MINUTES—Eugene City Council July 16, 2007 Page 9 Work Session