08/12/1968 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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r: 326 " 8/12/68 iT 1 ~ 1 Ii 20. Appointment, Agent-of~record, Deferred Compensation - Mr. McNutt moved seconded by Ij I, Mr. Wingard to appoint Mr. Sherman A~ Shaw as agent-of-record' for deferred compensa'- . I' I' tion agreements between the city of Eugene and certain City employes. '=' [I Mr. Lassen moved seconded by Mrs. Lauris that Items 19 and 20 of the Committee report be approved. ~otion carried. I 2 : 21. November 1968 Election - The City Manager said that serious consideration should be given to measures to be on the November ballot. :The :following items were cons idered, and it was agreed these and other suggestions would be given further consideration at I' a later date: !, a. Tax Base Increase - There was discussion concerning what influence this measure would have on the l~% tax levy limitation. Mr. McDonald said it would make the I l~% limitation seem very appealing to the voters. Mr.Anderson stated the Council j' should be optimistic and go ahead and put the tax base increase on the ballot. b. Hotel-Motel Room Tax ~! c. Laurelwood Property The City Manager said that the August 26, 1968 Council meeting will be the last opportunity to take action on measures intended for the November election ballot. Since State law prohibits consideration of a new tax base at elections other than general elections, it will not be possible to take this measure to the voters again until May 1970. With regard to a hotel-motel room tax, the Manager ex- .' plained that authority could be given under either State law or a Charter amendment. He saie). it has been several years since estimates were made of potential income from this source, but at that time it '. was estimated a 3% tax would raise $60,000 to $70,000 per year. On the Laurelwood 'property, the Manager said conside~ation could be given to submitting a bond issue for funds to complete the pur- chase. He said neither the hotel-motel tax nor the Laurelwood issues would have to be on a general election ballot, so both could be submitted at a'special election if desired. Mayor Cone asked if any consideration would be given to a County-wide income or sales"tax. The Manager said a preliminary study was made but has not progressed too far; and that it would not be possible now to prepare an acceptable measure for submission to the voters at the November election. i Mr. Anderson moved seconded by Mrs. Lauris to proceed with'preparation of material for a new tax base measure for the Council's consideration. Motion carried. I' .. 3 \, Laurelwood - The City Manager explained the bond measure presented at the May election included the '= Laurelwood property purchase price plus funds for improvements at the golf course to increase income. I He said a bond issue of $360,000 to $370,000 would cover the purchase price, including. interest. The I next payment is due on January 1, 1969 but could be postponed a year if necessary., Mrs. Hayward asked if the agreement with the Scho~l District precludes selling any of the land. The Manager replied that the only restriction is that the School District be given the first right of re- fusal should the City desire to sell. Councilman Teague asked if the bond issue could be retired by revenues from the golf course, and the Manager said it was doubtful, even over a 20-year period, since revenues jus t about carry the opera ting cos t. .' Dr. Purdy moved seconded by Mr. Anderson to proceed with preparation of material for submitting a bond issue to cover the purchase price of the Laurelwood property, including interest, for the ; Council's consideration. : Councilman Wingard suggested that because of the steep terrain which makes the property undesirable for recreational purposes it might be well to consider selling a ring of lots around the golf course . to raise funds for the purchase. Councilman McDonald asked if there were restrictions on types of -/ enterprise which could be started on the perimeter of the property. The City Manager said it would be governed by zoning regulations and that all of the surrounding property is zoned for single-family use. Councilwoman Lauris suggested that when the property is acquired, there should be restrictions to keep it as open space. Dr. Purdy said he understood there was an oral agreement between the School Board and the owners that none of the property would be sold separately. The City Manager said at the time the City Council entered into the purchase agreement with the School District, this property was con- sidered extremely desirable for multirecreational functions. A study carried on by the Parks Depart- ment has shown that the property is adaptable to several types of recreational uses. Mr. Lassen stressed the importance of informing the voters of the potential for multirecreational uses. I A vote was taken on the motion as stated, and motion carried. :1 , 4 Hotel-Motel Room Tax - The City Manager said although the estimates indicated about a $60,000 potential . ~ revenue from a 3% room tax, it would no doubt amount to more now because of recent construction of large units in the city. He said if a Charter amendment is adopted authorizing a room tax, the funds . should probably be used for cultural/convention type facilities. Councilman Anderson asked if any judgment has been given on legality of this, type tax. The City Manager said that with Charter authorization, there would be no problem. I. , Mrs. Lauris moved seconded by Dr. Pu~dy to proceed with preparation of material for submitting a ,. hotel-motel room tax measure to the voters for the Council's consideration, with a clear understand- ing that funds derived from the tax would be used for auditorium operation. Motion carried. II ~r. Purdy suggested making contact with the Hotel-Motel Owners Association with regard to proportion- . ~ng the funds between advertising and convention facilities. Mr. Walter Dennis of the New Oregon Mo- ~ tel asked to be notified when the matter was brought back for discussion. 8/12/68 _ 16