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Ms. Bettman commented that the Mayor often said he wished a broader range of people would testify at public hearings. She asserted the CIC, when it was adequately funded, had the ability to bring more citizens to speak to issues. She added that the CIC had been integral in the creation of the voter pool. She felt feedback from the public had deteriorated without it and declared she would not be voting for the ordinance. In response to a question from Mr. Kelly, Mr. Taylor said the new advisory group of key employees with public involvement experience had yet to be named, but the talent had been identified. He stated that he would provide the list of who would be on this committee via e-mail to Mr. Kelly. Mayor Torrey called for the vote. The motion passed, 5:3; Ms. Taylor, Ms. Bettman, Mr. Kelly voting no. C. ACTION: Roosevelt Yard Property Acquisition Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Poling, moved to authorize the City Manager to move forward with the purchase of the property as soon as possible using the financing plan described in the Agenda Item Summary and to include the inter-fund loan and other necessary appropriation changes for the purchase in the next supplemental budget. Mr. Meisner said he would support the ;;discreet motion" before the council, but felt the master plan should have been brought before the council and not just passed administratively. Mr. Meisner conveyed his satisfaction with the response to his concerns regarding liability. He stressed that the City was self-insured and should be vigilant in monitoring activity in the area of the proposed purchase. Additionally, Mr. Meisner noted the property would remain on property tax roles so long as it was leased to tenants. He recommended that it remain leased out until the City was ready to prepare the property for Public Works uses. Mr. Kelly opposed the motion. He suggested potential efficiencies in Public Works that could come about due to partnerships with the County could dramatically change the master plan and the need for the land. He added that the interfund loan would take from the Road Capital Fund and the Stormwater Fund, which were both in need of funding. Mr. Pap6 remarked that the council should have been %rought into the loop earlier" due to the amount of money involved. In response to a question from Mr. Pap6, Mr. Taylor assured him that the approval of the financing plan and the adoption of the supplemental budget would guarantee the way the interfund loans would be made and that they would be repaid from the $160,000 in annualized revenues. He stressed this was one-time money used as an investment to complete the land assemblage for the Roosevelt Master Plan. Mr. Pap6 said he would support the motion because, should the property prove to be unneeded, it could be turned over at a profit. Mr. Poling agreed that staff should have brought the council into this property purchase earlier. He echoed Mr. Meisner's comment that the property should remain rented until the City was ;;ready to turn dirt." MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 11, 2004 Page 6 Work Session