CC Minutes - 08/13/07 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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wanted in the project, and following the committee’s report to the council, she hoped the community could weigh in on its recommendations before the council adopted it. Councilor Zelenka pointed out that people were objecting to a plan that was not in place. The City did not know if the businesses downtown would be local or non-local in nature. He suggested that people were misinterpreting Table 5 in the packet, which was an example list of what the project could include. The City could still decide to include more public amenities and less parking. Councilor Zelenka agreed that the project goal was not to make the developer rich, and suggested it instead responded to community demand for downtown revitalization. He envisioned a downtown that was a vibrant neighborhood with housing and interesting shops and restaurants that would draw people downtown and create new jobs. He wanted a downtown the community could be proud of. Councilor Clark concurred with the remarks of Councilor Zelenka. He recalled the council’s goal setting session where the council adopted downtown as a goal. He thanked staff for trying to put all the pieces in place to help the council accomplish that goal. Councilor Bettman said that all the public input was gathered before there was a project with a clearly defined cost estimate. She thought that made a sham of the public process. She suggested that the City have a plan and price tag and then ask the community if it was willing to pay for it with the clear under- standing the money would be diverted from other taxing districts. Instead, staff and the council majority had its own way in regard to the BEDI grant, the public input took place based on a conceptual plan, and the council was now being asked to approve the spending increase based on that plan. She did not think Councilor Zelenka should criticize those who thought the City lacked a plan. Mayor Piercy said she believed in the good will of all involved and that all wanted a good downtown. People just had different ideas of how to reach that goal. She invited all to be part of the discussion and to work on the issue of downtown together as it is something for the entire community. Councilor Zelenka said he was not criticizing people for criticizing the “plan that’s not a plan”; he was suggesting they “hold their horses” until there was a plan, and he believed the process he initiated would get the City to a plan. He said the City created numerous opportunities for comment. He hoped that those offering comments helped to mold and shape the plan so the eventual plan was reflective of the public input and what Eugene would support. He believed the developers knew what they were doing and would build what people wanted. He hoped the project that was proposed would be supported by the community. Councilor Bettman suggested that if Councilor Zelenka believed that people should wait until there was a plan he would support her substitute motion. Councilor Bettman moved to postpone action on the motion until the council had a plan and an estimate of the actual project costs. Roll call vote; the motion failed, 6:2; coun- cilors Taylor and Bettman voting yes. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 6:2; councilors Taylor and Bettman voting no. Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MINUTES—Eugene City Council August 13, 2007 Page 8 Work Session