07/21/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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., Mr. Rutan discussed the reorganization of the HRB which occurred several years ago and said the HRB is more involved with policy issues than was e anticipated. Several councilors said the HRB in the past has become interested in projects too late in the process. Mayor Obie said the work of the HRB has been good because it has made the community aware of historic preservation. Mayor Obie recessed the meeting about 7:20 p.m. and reconvened it at 7:30 p.m. R. Policy and Administration Mr. Holmer said the councilors briefly discussed the difference between policy and administration and its role in them when they raised fees for planning services recently. He said a question was raised about the adequacy of the guidelines the council had given the staff. He said he thought the council should set fees for City services. However, he might approve delegating responsibility for setting fees to the staff if staff had been given adequate, specific direction by the council. For example, if the council had specified that fees should cover 100 percent of the cost of services. Mr. Holmer said the question of whether the council should hear appeals is related to delegating responsibility to the staff. He said a semi-annual report from the staff about decisions that have been made on appeals would e not provide sufficient information for the council because the council should be constantly aware of decisions that affect people's rights. He said the council probably would not overrule the staff very often. He suggested the council hear written appeals when three councilors agree they should be heard by the council. Ms. Ehrman said she has not heard complaints about people being denied their rights in Eugene. Mr. Rutan said the change that eliminated the council from the appeal process for land use decisions has had positive results and has decreased the time for processing applications and hearing appeals. Several councilors discussed an appeal the council heard recently to a decision of the Sign Code Board of Appeals concerning the Alder Street Market. Ms. Schue said the code was specific and it was clear the council had to deny the appeal but the case indicated that the City Code should be changed. She said hearing appeals may not be the only way the council can learn of flaws in the system. Ms. Bascom said hearing appeals illuminates policy issues for the councilors and helps new councilors learn the system. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 21, 1986 Page 6