Item 2A: Approval of City Council Minutes

Home Browse Search

Mr. Clark asked if it was possible to quantify and compare the benefits and costs of the ordinance to other potential mitigation factors. He related his recent experience with the annual Willamette River clean-up and the amount of trash that was removed from the water and the banks. He said the comparative value of implementing the ordinance versus purchasing conservation easements versus ending illegal camping on the riverbank was not being discussed. He was not certain the ordinance was the best approach. Mr. Pryor did not see an either/or situation with respect to protection strategies. His support of the proposed ordinance was based on the real benefits to be realized and the degree of mitigation flexibility. He said people who purchased property along a waterway needed to recognize the responsibility that entailed, but the City should balance protection with the rights of owners to use their properties as intended. He asked how the ordinance would impact the buildable land survey. Ms. Jerome said that was quantified in terms of acreage under the Goal 9 and Goal 10 findings. Mr. Pryor, seconded by Ms. Bettman, moved to direct the City Manager to return the ordinance with the revisions described in attachments C-1, D and E. Ms. Bettman said it was good public policy to protect waterways and enhance water quality. She said if she felt the cumulative effect of the ordinance would accomplish that she would be supportive, but she did not see a benefit that outweighed the chaos that would occur on affected properties. She preferred to see money from the stormwater fund used to acquire easements. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Clark, moved to substitute a motion to direct the City Manager to return to the council with a scope of the cost of acquiring ease- ments before moving forward with the ordinance. Ms. Ortiz said she could support either motion although she questioned how the City would proceed if there were not willing sellers. She remarked that not all people who lived along waterways were contributing to pollution and most recognized the responsibility of living along a waterway and many used organic gardening practices. Mr. Zelenka agreed with Ms. Ortiz’s remarks and said he could support either motion. The motion to substitute passed unanimously, 8:0. The main motion as substituted passed unanimously, 8:0. B. EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute 192.660(2)(e), Mayor Piercy called the Eugene City Council into executive session to discuss real property transactions. Mayor Piercy adjourned the work session and moved the council into public session. Ms. Bettman, seconded by Mr. Clark, moved to direct the City Manager to let the option on the Green property expire and to continue with due diligence to acquire the property for public parks, habitat and water quality values and bring any pro- posal back to the City Council in executive session for consideration. Motion passed unanimously, 8:0. MINUTES—Eugene City Council June 18, 2008 Page 5 Work Session