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themselves when asking questions. The first question was about speeding in the <br />improved alleys and whether the City might put in speed bumps. Mr. Klope answered <br />that the City had not planned for speed bumps, but that the city would work with any <br />property owner who requested traffic calming devices to see if something might be <br />included in the project. <br /> <br /> The next question was an inquiry about how the city had classified property that <br />from a casual view appeared to be a single family residence, but was actually being used <br />as a multi-family dwelling. Mr. Klope responded that the City relied on the zoning and <br />use information that it had on file, and did not make a new investigation of properties for <br />the purpose of assessment. Mr. Klope explained that under the Eugene Code up to five <br />unrelated persons could reside in a single family residence. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Anderson asked why, if the purpose of the project was to improve the <br />entire West University neighborhood, only the property owners abutting each alley were <br />being asked to pay for the cost of improvements. Mr. Anderson acknowledged that the <br />Eugene Code provided that the property owners along each alley should pay. However, <br />he did not think that this was a fair or appropriate decision. If the motive behind the <br />project was to improve the City, Mr. Anderson felt a portion of the City's general fund <br />should have been used to support the project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Klope responded that there had been some discussion of this issue by the <br />Council. During the work sessions the Council had considered the possibility of City <br />subsidies for alley improvements, but after a discussion, the Council had decided that the <br />property owners should be assessed costs without a City subsidy. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dorothy Cruickshank of the Eugene Garden Club was the next speaker. Ms. <br />Cruickshank urged that the Garden Club be regarded as a special case. The Garden Club <br />did not feel that it could afford the proposed assessment. Ms. Cruickshank stated that the <br />Garden Club wished to be qualified for the city deferrals for low income and for old age, <br />since most members of the Club were in their sixties. Ms. Cruickshank felt that the <br />Garden Club did not fit any of the categories under the City assessment process, and <br />should not be classified under these provisions. The Garden Club does rent the building <br />and has raised the rent to cover the cost of past improvements, but they could not afford <br />so much. If required to pay the Club would either have to move or would have to drop <br />some of its projects. Ms. Cruickshank wanted to make it clear that the Garden Club was <br />not opposed to the project. They very much wanted the alley to be paved. They just <br />could not afford to pay the assessment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Klope responded that the Garden Club would not qualify for the deferral <br />programs, since they were aimed at residences. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ruth Phelps of the Garden Club spoke next. Ms. Phelps indicated that while <br />the Garden Club property is zoned R3, their use of the alley does not match other uses. <br />Ms. Phelps indicated that the office building on the south side of the alley used it as an <br />exit from their parking lot. Them were also several rentals on the alley that used it a <br /> <br /> <br />