05/29/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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'ob1igatLori',-so it would be fooihardy to nlake' a coiiiiiiitirient to -the .tbwntown Develojf":'" 1 ment Board of a firm dollar amount. However, it is felt appropriate to indicate , , ' I recogn~t~on of the double assessment burden for property owners and operators ; within the 10th and Oak district if the free parking district is formed ,by stating' that tax increment funds, after ERA obligations are met, could be an appropriate way of curing the overlapping obligations. Staff would like to be in pOsition at the hearing before the Downtown Development Board to say the Council would be ,willing to consider use of tax increment funds as a means of financing free down- I town parking. .; Manager reviewed formation of the 10th and Oak Overpark district and assessment procedure. Councilman Murray wondered what effect the proposed free parking would have on use of the OVerpark facility. Traffic Engineer williams said that it is anticipated use 9f the facility, to be included in the program, will be increased ,if free parking is provided. He said it is very likely the Development Board would guarantee $2080 monthly (included in the proposed district's operating budget) ; toward payment for the OVerpark, with that amount to be reviewed annualiy with the , potential of being increased 10% each year on a compound basis. David Hunt, ERA 'director, noted a study proposed on parking facility planning in the downtown area and said he felt that study would develop further information on the overall impact. ' 'He also explai~~d the difference' between boundaries 'of the ERA project and those for the proposed free parking district. . Councilwoman Campbell wondered what effect the proposed financing of the free ,parking would have on repayment of the Overparf bonds, and whether people in the :proposed district realized they would still have an assessment to pay. Manager 'explained use of tax increment funds would result in earlier payment of the Over- jPark bonds. Mr. Hunt added that pledging of the tax increment monies would have ,the effect of phasing out assessment payments for the Overpark. I I e Mr. Williams moved seconded by Mr~ Wood that the Council look favorably upon u~e ,of tax increment monies for financing a free downtown parking program. Comm 5/16/73 Approve "Councilwoman Beal said that in the consideration of new construction and adding :to parking facilities the increased use of mass transit and possible limitation on ; the use of private cars should be taken into account. She asked whether Mass Transit ,District had been consulted with regard to bus service. It was pointed out that al- : though other means of transportation are important considerations, at this time it J would cause serious delay for a group of people trying to receive some indication : of the Council's intention on what appears to be a logical method of financing : a free parking program. Concerns of this nature will be covered by the study on ;parking facilities planning. Mr. Hunt said the Agency is working with the Mass :Transit District on central transfer point in parking garage basements to enhance ,bus servi ce. Vote was taken on the motion as stated. Motion ~arried unanimously. . 'f H. Air Rights over' Pedestrian Alley, east' from Willamette between 8th arid Broadway The Eugene Renewal Agency requested an indication,of the Council's feeling toward 'private use of air rights over the pedestrian walkway running east from Willamette Street between the present Del Rey building and Latham's. Developers of adjacent : properties would like to know before design work is started whether that use would ibe allowed. Mr. Hunt said there are several alternatives for briding or building ,over the alley with retail shops on the ground floor. He displayed a map of the area and noted that the alley is owned by the City in fee simple. ~~J:::'. Mr. Williams moved seconded by Mr. Wood to support the concept of use of air 'rights as requested. ,:. Vote was taken on the motion as stated. Motion carried unanimously.. Comm 5/16/73 Approve "Mr. williams commented on the desirability of covering as many walkways :mall as possible to minimize exposure to wet weather. I. LeglsTatl.on; iiJR 7,' iiii 2276, 8B 396 - Use of Gas Tax Funds for Mass-Transit - ,'Councilman Williams read letters prepared at the direction of the Legislative Subcommittee and addressed to chairmen of the House and Senate Transportation Committees stating the City's position in support of HJR 7 and HB 2276, and of ,SB 396 if, and only if, HJR 7 and HB 2276 are passed. SB 396 would authorize ; $150 million bond issue for highway purposes, and the subcommittee felt commit- ment of those funds should not be made unless voters are permitted to decide :whether gas tax funds should be used for mass transit purposes. I Councilwoman Beal, in answer to Mr. Murray, explained that although the Council has previously taken a position favoring use of gas tax funds for mass transit, '. '\(09 5/29/73 - 6