05/31/1972 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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become due.,. Mr. Jacobs said, also in answer to Mrs. Campbell, that there is a combination of property owners an'd business people or tenants in the district, and that any tax would be paid by the property owner. Traffic Engineer said both ad valorem tax and business license fees weIE~ used to estimate total annual cost. . Councilman Mohr complimented Mr. Jacobs on the analysis of the .downtown problem and said he had no quarrel with creation of the assessment district~ but that analysis at greater length would appear necessary with regard to the creation of the governing board. He said oI?-e of the factors neglected is the role of mass transit in the program and since the Council is committed to providing mass transit the structure of the board and its operation would have to deal with that problem. He said he feels a board comprised of downtown property owners and businessmen is not the proper structure and suggested inclusion of an elected official, and that it be a contractual ~gency, similar to the Renewal Agency, responsible to the City. Councilman Bradshaw suggested that answers to any questions would come after formation of the board~ Traffic Engineer said mass transit was discussed many times in developing this proposal and that revenues are included in budgets for support of mass transit, . so it has not been overlooked. However, there are many questions as to how it would work and this is me problem to which it is felt the governing board could address itself. . Mrs. Campbell questioned whether there would be overlapping of activities pro- posed with that qarried on by the Chamber of Commerce, whether this tax money is used for business promotion, not just for parking. Mr. Jacobs said it was decided several years ago that a.ctivities related to the central business core had to be separated from the Chamber. Eugene Downtown Association was formed at that time and functions independently from the Charrib~r but wi th liaison. He said the idea of developing a program dealing with parking and promotional . activities for the mall is new and an attempt is being made to follow the program seen in California cities which would work to everyone's satisfaction. He said he doesn't think there is any question apout the Chamber's Suppo!ting the district. Bob Thomas, Eugene Renewal Agency, commented on acti vi ties. in' the mall on whi ch the Agency's parti cipation is limi ted, such as temporary improvements or administra- tion of its use. He said a goyerning board as proposed is definitely a strong viable vehicle 'to cchieve the overall objective of the central core and provide free parking. Other things such as temporary mall covers for certain functions or seasons, directory, uniform signing on parking lots, all would be of real benefit but beyond the scope of the Renewal Agency. Some of these are alos outside the City's scope so would be'of assistance there. He said the Renewal Agency recommends creation of the district. and a g~verning board. . Manager suggested further discussion of the proposal at the Council meeting scheduled for May 31 when a subcommittee of the Association's ad hoc committee could be present to allow an exchange of ideas and full understanding of the ordinance creating the governing board and why it is in its present form. Mrs. Campbell moved seconded by Mr. Mohr to establish the proposed downtown development district boundaries. Mayor Anderson said it should be understood that the .ordinance proposed is en- abling legislation only and will not constitute a public.hearing on organization or policies of the proposed district. Vote was taken on the motion, and motion carried unanimously. Comm 5/24/72 Approve Council Bill No. 9700 - Establishing Downtown Development District , was submitted and read the first time by council bill 'number and title only, there being n-o councilman present request- ing that it be re'ad in full. Mr. Mohr moved seconded by Mr. Williams that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council, and that enactment 'be considered at this time. . Manager explained purpose for passage of the ordinance at this time, to meet County deadline for entering district boundaries on tax roll in order to be able to imple- ment the district during the subsequent fiscal year. He said implementation of the single-purpose improvement district to provide a special levy will be discussed at a later time, that when it is put into operation it will have no effect on the overall City tax rate. Adoption of this ordinance has no bearing on the creation of a board to administer' the' 'district ,. it 'only establishes ,legal boundaries for purposes of tax assessor's records. JS~ 5/31/72 - 2