Laserfiche WebLink
Ms. Ortiz asked if there were programs to help people purchase the buildings. Denny Braud, Senior <br />Management Analyst for the Community Development Division, responded that there were two different <br />programs that could be utilized. <br /> <br />Mr. Poling wanted to see the City recoup the money spent on options. He asked if six months was a <br />reasonable amount of time within which to expect development to occur. Mr. Braud replied that he thought <br />it was. He noted that razing a building was part of construction, as it usually did not occur before <br />construction was planned and permitted. <br /> <br />Mr. Zelenka said he would oppose the substitute motion because he believed it was too restrictive. He <br />expressed concern that if it was known that the tenant would have the first right of refusal it could preempt <br />an interested party from wanting to take the time to put in a bid. He wondered if it would be possible to ask <br />for a notice of intent from the tenants. Mr. Klein responded that legally it was possible but practically there <br />might not be enough time to follow this procedure for the options slated to expire in March. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy noted the time and asked the council to consider deferring Item C, a work session on the <br />Rental Housing Code Update. The council was amenable to deferring the item as it was not time sensitive. <br /> <br />In response to a question from Ms. Bettman, Mr. Braud replied that the City had invested approximately <br />$200,000 in options. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman ascertained that this was money that could be utilized to help the development to occur. She <br />questioned why the deadline for the options was the same given that several options expired in March but the <br />rest expired later in the year. She stated her intention to oppose the substitute motion. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor averred that it was more important to help the local businesses than it was to get the money <br />back. <br /> <br />The motion failed, 7:1; Ms. Taylor voting in favor. <br /> <br />Mr. Pryor asked whether bifurcating the options would affect what the City was attempting to do. Mr. <br />Klein replied that it would not create legal problems, but it would create a different standard for different <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 20, 2008 Page 7 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br />