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Councilor Bettman supported the substitute motion. She declared that the action had been stalled <br />for long enough. She asserted that negotiations and appraisals would happen after the council <br />acted on eminent domain. She averred that the appraisals to date were not complete. She stated <br />that the council definitely needed to move forward with actual formal appraisals. She suggested <br />that Systems Development Charges (SDCs), Stormwater Acquisition fund money, Parks and Open <br />Space money, and possible grant money could be used as funding resources. She said while the <br />headwaters were located in south Eugene, the water ran through the whole city so it would be an <br />investment in the entire city as the water contributed to flood control and water quality. <br /> <br />Councilor Taylor said she had been reluctant to delay the condemnation proceedings when it was <br />last addressed. She echoed Councilor Bettman’s remarks related to the value of the properties as a <br />natural resource. She called the purchase of the properties an investment in the future. <br /> <br />Councilor Ortiz, seconded by Councilor Pryor, moved to extend the meeting by five <br />minutes. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 8:0. <br /> <br />Councilor Clark clarified that the council had contracted to have an appraisal done and the <br />appraisal was complete. He said the City Attorney had indicated that the appraisal would be <br />entered into any court proceedings no matter what. <br /> <br />City Attorney Klein stated that the appraisal had been given in oral form to the council and had not <br />been written into a report. He confirmed that the information would ultimately come out in court <br />proceedings. <br /> <br />Councilor Clark said it was too much money at a time in which the City could ill afford it. He <br />believed such a large expenditure would violate the public trust. He related that many people <br />indicated to him that they would refer this item out as a petition if it was passed. <br /> <br />Councilor Poling wished to point out that there was not enough money in the Parks and Open <br />Space bond to cover litigation fees and the property purchase. He stated that no federal grant <br />money was available to property that was being taken by eminent domain. He said the cost of the <br />land had increased as property values increased. He added that he was certain that the surrounding <br />neighbors’ property values would increase if the land was turned into park land. He averred that <br />this action did not serve the greater community. He opined that eminent domain was the wrong <br />way to go about purchasing the properties. <br /> <br />Councilor Zelenka agreed with councilors Bettman and Taylor about the value of the properties <br />but he also agreed with Councilor Ortiz that eminent domain should be the last resort. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy felt that the council was protecting the Amazon Creek headwaters properties for <br />future generations. She believed the Parks and Open Space Bond moneys were being used as <br />intended. She said the City had tried hard to find willing sellers and had tried to work with <br />conservation groups. She stated that so far they had not been able to push this forward. She <br />thought it would be in everyone’s best interest if the City did not have to take eminent domain, but <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 10, 2007 Page 22 <br /> Regular Meeting <br /> <br />