CC Minutes - 02/13/08 Work Session

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Ms. Ortiz, seconded by Mr. Clark, moved to extend the meeting by 15 minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Zelenka asked if financing was structured to allow prepayment of the bond from the proceeds of the property sale. Mr. Beeson said prepayment could be made without penalty and that was the Board's intent. Mr. Zelenka felt that EWEB's status as a public agency and the size of the bond warranted asking the voters for approval. Mr. Clark appreciated EWEB's extensive work on the project and would like to have a specific guarantee about use of property sale proceeds to pay down the bond. He was concerned about placing the bond on the ballot when the voters would be confronted by competing priorities, such as street repairs. Mr. Beeson noted that if the council did not refer the matter to the voters the public still had a 60-day period following authorization of the bond during which a petition could be submitted to refer the bond to the ballot. Ms. Piercy pointed out that EWEB's Board, like the council, was an elected body responsible to the public. She said EWEB had engaged in a lengthy, public planning process and unless the council could determine the request was unreasonable or represented a bad business decision it should be approved. She urged the council to approve EWEB's request, which would make available a valuable piece of property that was essential to realizing the vision for connecting the river to downtown. She felt the public was eager to have the opportunity to increase access to the river. The motion failed, 5:3; Ms. Bettman, Mr. Zelenka and Ms. Taylor voting in favor. C. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Executive Session Pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) Ms. Piercy adjourned the work session at 1:30 p.m. and called the council into executive session pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f). Respectfully submitted, Angel Jones Interim City Manager (Recorded by Lynn Taylor MINUTES—Eugene City Council February 13, 2008 Page 5 Work Session