Ordinance No. 20564 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3. Following or concurrently with the presentation of the information in paragraph 2, a public hearing shall be held to allow the public to comment directly to the elected officials on whether a specific project should move forward, and if so, how it should be funded. 4. Following the public hearing, the Agency Board may authorize the use of tax increment financing for the specific project or projects that were the subject of the public hearing, or alternatively, decide that a different funding mechanism should be used for all or part of the cost of constructing the project. B. PUBLIC UTILITIES: High -Speed Fiber The Agency may assist with the Eugene Fiber Implementation Plan to extend the municipal high-speed fiber network to downtown buildings and to establish the high-speed connection between local and regional internet exchanges for costs attributable to the Plan Area using tax increment funds not to exceed $3 million. Installing Downtown Fiber: The 2013 City of Eugene Broadband Strategic Plan identified the development of a downtown fiber network as a strategic goal. After completion of the Strategic Plan, City staff worked with Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) and the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) on a successful pilot project, to test the feasibility of implementing a downtown network. The City, EWEB, and LCOG identified a workable method to connect several commercial buildings by running fiber optics cables through existing electrical conduit. With LCOG, EWEB, and the Technology Association of Oregon, the Fiber Implementation Plan a) calls to construct fiber connections to additional downtown buildings and b) includes the costs and benefits of leasing a publicly operated connection from a local internet connection point to large, regional internet exchanges. High-speed fiber will serve and benefit the Plan Area because: (1) existing businesses and new businesses benefiting from the high speed and competitive market will grow employment and attract new investments to the Plan Area; (2) residents of housing in the Plan Area will have an added benefit for living within in the Plan Area; and (3), and public agencies will have reduced costs and increased telecommunication speed. C. OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES: Old LCC Building The Agency may provide up to $6 million in tax increment funds as part of redevelopment of the Old LCC Building, which may include housing or activities that advance the Regional Prosperity Economic Development Plan (e.g., an innovation center with maker space, wet lab, or art/tech incubator). The building will benefit the Plan Area by increasing public usage of the area and stimulating additional public and private investment. This work would include Lane Community College and could include collaboration with others. Prior to the approval of tax increment funds for construction of these improvements the Agency shall follow the public input and approval process identified in subsection A of this section 600. Downtown Urban Renewal Plan - 2016 Amendment