01/06/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Entryways & Beautification IIIn regard to entryways and beautification, the final Agenda item, I expect our newly formed Tree and Beautification Commission will bring forth proposals to improve our entryways and street tree programs. Cognizant of community funding priorities, the commission is exploring the formation of a non-profit foundation to encourage donations and support for these efforts. liThe Entrance Beautification Study will come to the Planning Commission and City Council this spring, suggesting improvements to 10 major entranceways to our city and we will also consider demonstration improvement projects for Franklin Boulevard and Highway 99 during the year 1986. IIDuring our summer sessions with the public on the Eugene Agenda, the community also told us of concerns and commitments for a new library and continued improvements to our streets, parks, and public buildings after we lose the Federal revenue sharing we have been enjoying. lilt is obvious that, because of cutbacks at Federal and State levels, financial pressures on cities--and Eugene is not unique in that regard--will continue to grow. At the same time, our citizens are recovering from difficult financial times and feel unable to fund expenditure increases for local government. IIWhile this is a difficult time, I believe we can look with positive thoughts, as it is a time that will require every expenditure to be examined and justified. We need to increasingly look to the lIuser payll form of funding policies for programs and projects. Our City management is daily being challenged to develop entrepreneurial instincts and increased efficiencies. Certainly, I, the City Council, and your city management look to these days as being challenging, but also as days during which positive changes in the status quo will take place. IIWhile preparing for today, I asked each councilor what they would like me to share with you. And I would like to quote for you some of the things that they said. Their responses were very interesting. They asked me to tell you of our progress as a community and to speak to you of our hope and our confidence. They said I should ask you to keep your eye on our shared future. They asked me to speak frankly of our diminishing resources and the pressure that affected and will continue to affect City services. They wanted me to both thank you and ask you for your support. What came through loud and clear was the intense commitment each of these individuals has to the future of this community. IIThis is an election year. Four of our councilors' terms expire. I urge all of them to seek re-election. They have been tremendous soldiers for this city. III should not let today pass without recognizing the great cooperation we have developed over a long periOd of time with many governments and institutions in this area. Certainly at the top of that list is the City of Springfield. It MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 6, 1986 Page 12