Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

ATTACHMENT G M I N U T E S Eugene City Council Regular Meeting Council Chamber—Eugene City Hall April 28, 2008 7:30 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Chris Pryor, Bonny Bettman, Betty Taylor, Jennifer Solomon, Andrea Ortiz, Mike Clark, Alan Zelenka. COUNCILORS ABSENT: George Poling. Her Honor Mayor Kitty Piercy called the meeting of the Eugene City Council to order. 1. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Piercy reviewed the rules of the Public Forum. th Deborah Frisch , 3003 West 11 Avenue, H168, criticized several unidentified city councilors and the City Manger for what she perceived to be their shortcomings. Zachary Vishanoff , a resident living on Patterson Street, advocated for a more transparent City govern- ment. He suggested proposed expenditures along Franklin Boulevard be the subject of a public hearing. Regarding the Eugene Water & Electric Board site, he suggested a hearing be held on that; otherwise, the council would be battling citizens. He believed the City should have a hearing about whether the community wanted the 2012 Olympic Trials, and that perhaps the hearing should occur during the trials. He noted the Willamette Week’s recent designation of University of Oregon President David Frohnmayer as its Rogue of the Week but suggested that the City of Eugene and Nike also colluded to get President Frohnmayer in trouble over the arena. He suggested that the council Google “Joe Romania” and use “Googie” to see a list discussing how important the site was. th Dan Weinhard , 751 East 16 Avenue, #112, spoke to the issue of affordable housing. He reminded the council that he spoke before it and asked for them to contact him about making quad units near the University of Oregon more affordable. Residents had been given notice and he hoped the council could convince the owners not to remodel at least one building so residents could remain. He had learned the new owners were going “upscale” because rich students were easier on the units, but he believed that was in conflict with the City’s affordable housing policies. He suggested the City could buy the properties using a loan or it could provide the UO with the authority for eminent domain and $20 million to purchase the building. He thought the current owners would be encouraged to take the money and build new units. He reminded the council that the City’s Web site spoke to its keen interest in low-interest housing and its policy direction as it related to affordable housing. Mayor Piercy closed the public forum and thanked those who testified for attending. MINUTES—Eugene City Council April 28, 2008 Page 1 Work Session