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Mr. Poling felt the County was not likely to share the property as it seemed to be moving out more toward <br />the periphery of the City. He supported the motion. <br /> <br />Ms. Bettman asserted the property was contaminated. She felt she could not support the financing or the <br />acquisition. She remarked that this was a demonstration of fiscal discipline and that, as the purchase was <br />not a city-wide priority, she would do as staff often urged the council to do and exercise this discipline. <br />She repeated her concern regarding the size of the property and her assertion that data projecting a staff <br />increase of 40 people was erroneous. <br /> <br />Ms. Solomon informed the council that an environmental report had been published on the site and it was <br />determined to be clean. Mr. Taylor corroborated this. <br /> <br />Ms. Solomon supported the motion. She opined the City should not own too much property, however. <br />She asked how much property the City currently owned and if excess property was being sold. <br /> <br />Mr. Carlson responded, stating the City had been successful in selling such properties, having recently sold <br />three fire stations, the parking lot across from the library, and a large portion of City-owned land in the <br />Danebo area. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor called it "misplaced priorities and land speculation." She opined there was too much money at <br />stake and continued rent income was not a certainty. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner reiterated that he regarded it as an investment. He expected the City to make the property a <br />revenue-producer. He concurred with Ms. Bettman that it was more land than needed and suggested the <br />City sell a portion of it. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson said it was an investment and "an important way of avoiding potential cost in the future." <br /> <br /> Mayor Torrey called for the vote. The motion passed, 5:3 (Mr. Kelly, Ms. Bettman, <br /> and Ms. Taylor voting in opposition). <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br />Dennis M. Taylor <br />City Manager <br /> <br />(Recorded by Ruth Atcherson) <br />M: 120041Central Services DepartmentlCity Councillcc04021 lml. wpd <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 11, 2004 Page 7 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />