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she was not certain that this was possible. She underscored her feeling that the properties were an asset for all of Eugene and not just south Eugene. Roll call vote; the substitute motion failed, 6:2; councilors Bettman and Taylor vot- ing in favor. Councilor Pryor commented that under normal circumstances he would be willing to postpone the discussion until the opportunity to try different approaches to resolve the purchase of the property without eminent domain had been exhausted. He said the reason he could not support Councilor Zelenka’s motion was that it included an authorization for proceedings of eminent domain. Councilor Clark asked if it was the intention of the maker of the motion that condemnation proceedings would begin at the deadline or that the council would reconsider those actions at that point. Councilor Zelenka responded that his intention was that should the parties not be in agreement by June the council would authorize the eminent domain proceedings at that time. Councilor Bettman opined that the language that said the council would authorize the institution of proceedings of eminent domain was ambiguous because the council could not do so. She felt that the motion postponed the question until then and then if there “was enough momentum on council” it would happen. City Attorney Klein stated that his interpretation of the motion was that it postponed until June and his advice to the City Manager would be to have it on the Tentative Agenda for that month. Councilor Zelenka said while it was not possible to dictate to the council what to do in the future, the council could declare its intent. Councilor Bettman called this “creating an illusion” that eminent domain would occur in June. Councilor Bettman offered a friendly amendment that would amend the language to read that the discussion would be postponed to the first council meeting in June at which time the City Manager would be directed to return to the council with the ordinances for eminent domain on the Beverly and Green properties. The maker and the second accepted the friendly amendment. Councilor Clark said he wanted to support the motion because he wanted to have time to make a different potential reality with the land that needed protection. However, he was concerned that this item was being postponed to a time that seemed more politically convenient. He was not certain he could support the motion. Councilor Bettman found it unfortunate that the motion did not prescribe what would happen in June. She foresaw, however, that the purchase could benefit from the precipitous decline in the housing market. She thought the council should pursue a new appraisal based on the change in the market at that time. MINUTES—Eugene City Council December 10, 2007 Page 23 Regular Meeting