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r'" JIY ~ e - 5/4/70 Council Chamber Eugene, Oregon May 4, 1970 I I I II II Special meeting of the Common Council of the city of Eugene was called to order by,His Honor Lester E. Anderson at 7:30 p.m. on May 4, 1970 in the Council Chamber, with the following councilmen present: Messrs. McDonald and Teague; Mrs. Beal and. Mrs. Hayward; Messrs. Mohr and Williams. Councilmen Purdy and Gribskov were absent. I. Vacation, 13~h Avenue between Kincaid and Agate Streets A. Letter from President Clark, University of Oregon, requesting vacation - staff Manager read a letter addressed to the, Mayor from President Clark dated April 29, 1970 formally requesting Vacation of 13th Avenue between Kincaid and Agate. B. Report on legal processes to achieve a street vacation - City Attorney Hendershott City Attorney outlined a schedule of date of ordinance initiating vacation and calling a hearing. He said the City Council has authority to vacate streets, plats and alleys. e C. Motion to adopt ordinance. C.B. 9152 - providing for official public hearing on question of vacating 13th Avenue between Kincaid Street and Agate Street. , Mr~ Teague moved seconded by Mrs. Hayward moved that the Council adopt the ordinance. I I D. Background, Information 1. City Staff - City Manager pointed out that the ordinance requested vacation between Alder and Agate so that the Council, at the public hearing, could consider all of the area betweenthose streets, or a lesser part. a. Previous Consideration - City Manager outlined various studies and recommendations made by the University during the period from 1956 through 1968. He explained the costs of various alternatives proposed. I Staff will have a report and recommendation for the official public hearing. Manager suggested that temporary closures be authorized so that studies may be made of effect of closure and possible alternative routes. b. Utility and Safety Considerations - If vacation becomes a reality, city will need to retain easements for all utilities for the entire length of East 13th. Also, a fire lane should be provided. 2. University of Oregon Staff - Mr. Larry Bissett, Associate Director of Office of Planning and Institutional Research outlined on a map suggestions for use of the property if the Vacation is achieved. He reviewed recent activities of the Campus Planning Committee and explained student surveys. E. Public Participation Councilman McDonald requested that the Council consider allowing one hour for presentations for each side of the question. Council agreed. Mr. Thomas Hedgpeth, 939 Jefferson, said he represented 40 or 50 people concerned for law enforcement. He read a statement against the barricade, and asked that the Council reschedule its meeting to May 11th, since they felt the Council had acted under duress in scheduling it for this time. I There was no motion from the Council to reschedule. -f~ The A.A. Action Group of the University and Community, represented by Mr. Richard Britton, outlined what students of the University School of Architecture and Allied Arts felt could be done with the campus if 13th Avenue was vacated. They showed slides demonstrating various uses. - Mr. Jim Teasdale explained that barricading of the street was representative of many issues, and not just the fact that students wanted 13th closed. , Mr. Bob Winger said he had been in student government for four years. He outlined stud~es made while he was on the Campus Planning Committee, and results of these studies. He urged that action be taken to close 13th Avenue. 'Professor Fred Cuthbert said he represented the University, and thaili he was a member of the eampus Planning Committee. He extended regrets of Fiscal Affairs Director Orville Lindstrom, and said he was ill. II I Professor-Cuthbert outlined past history of University involvement in attempts to close 13th Avenue. He said its use for traffic presents a jazard for school and faculty. He felt closure could make the campus core a fine place for the university, and benefit the community as a whole. He requested that the closure extend at least to Onyx. He said he was in favor of closure on a trial basis for study. I Mr. Tom Chock, 1790 Alder, presented a petition for closure signed by 1300 students, and said these were in addition to those presented last week. e I I I, ~:, 5/4/70 - 1 ;! "