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Eugene to be able to purchase land outside the UGB. He felt that for the City to “suddenly decide” it was not a good idea was disingenuous. He said part of the reason the City lobbied for this was because of the Ridgeline Trail, as it was important enough that the City was willing to purchase land outside of the UGB for it. He ascertained from Ms. Weiss that the properties that were the subjects of the grant application were located on the ridgeline. He believed everything before the council at present was consistent with what the City indicated it wanted to do. He did not understand how this grant application could be considered to be “outside reasonable or directional or what the City’s established that it wants to do.” He recalled that the 2006 PROS measure said funding was intended to purchase land, preserving natural open places near the Ridgeline Trail, Willamette River, and Gillespie Butte. He underscored that the item before the council fit that description. He said he would love to give staff the opportunity to go for the additional OWEB grant but he was not certain there were the votes to do so. He believed the item was consistent with what the City had said it wanted to do and to decide to pursue another course was not fair or reasonable. He reiterated that this was what the City said it would do in the bond measure; this was what the City said it would do as a matter of policy; and the properties were on the Ridgeline Trail corridor. Ms. Weiss clarified that the Forest Legacy grant had been submitted at the 50 percent level on October 1. Councilor Zelenka complained that the council had not been consulted about the change in the level of the grant. He asked if the OWEB grant could be used to help purchase the Beverly/Green properties. Ms. Weiss replied that the grant money could not be used under a condemnation proceeding. Councilor Zelenka asked if the OWEB grant money could be utilized if there were willing sellers. Ms. Weiss responded that this would be possible if the land was being purchased at the appraised value. Councilor Zelenka asserted that the Beverly/Green properties were located on the Ridgeline Trail corridor. He agreed with Councilor Ortiz that it was puzzling that the City was putting effort and creativity into getting money for the Ridgeline Trail properties when there was clear direction from the council to put effort into the purchase of the properties inside the UGB. Councilor Zelenka asked what would happen if the City did not receive the OWEB grant. Ms. Weiss replied that it would not impact the Santa Clara park project because it was in a different category of funding. She noted that there was also funding set aside from the 1998 bond measure for Santa Clara. She stated that it was as yet unknown whether it would affect the Beverly/Green parcels because the cost of the parcels was not known. She reiterated that if the City did not receive the OWEB grant, the City would be faced with the choice of pursuing other sources of funding or deciding not to pursue the acquisition of the Ridgeline parcels. Councilor Zelenka asked what staff would do in the absence of “clear council direction” on how to move forward at that point. Ms. Weiss responded that staff would come before the council for direction. Councilor Zelenka thought the Beverly/Green properties would likely be purchased using moneys designated for parcels near the Ridgeline Trail. He felt the City was somewhat “stuck” because to say no to the OWEB grant would mean the City would have to pay $2 million for the Ridgeline parcels and to say “yes” meant the City would have to pay $1 million. In response to a question from Councilor Clark, Ms. Weiss confirmed that the money from the 1998 and 2006 bonds that was dedicated for a park in the Santa Clara area may not be used for other projects. She MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 8, 2007 Page 11 Regular Meeting