12/15/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Shawn Boles, 105 North Adams, said he is testifying as a private citizen although he is a member of the Budget Committee. Reviewing the context in e which decisions about the airport must be made, Mr. Boles said projections indicate the City will have a $3 to 4 million shortfall in 1987~88 and City departments have been directed to reduce expenses 3 percent which will reduce total expenses $1.4 million. He said the projected capital budget for 1987-88 is $2.2 million but $8 million will be needed. He said the airport expansion will cost about $18 million and the City's share of it will be about $8.6 million. Mr. Boles discussed several financing options for the City's share of the airport expansion. He said the proposal to fund the debt service on the bonds from existing revenues does not allow the airport expansion to "stand on its own merits" because it does not place the entire financing of the airport expansion before the voters. He said the proposal to use the endi ng fund balances for the debt service violates a commitment of the Budget Committee. He said 25 percent of the 1987-88 capital fund budget will be used for the debt service on the airport bonds if $550,000 of the capital budget is used to pay the debt service. He said that is unreasonable because it would result in decreased services or an increase in property taxes. Mr. Boles said he favors asking the voters to approve the entire airport expansion proposal. He suggested a proposal to fund the entire City share of the airport expansion with property taxes be put before the voters. He said he bel ieves the voters would approve the expansion of the Eugene Publ ic Library and it is reasonable to ask them to fund the airport expansion. Approval of that would not constrain the budget when City funds are scarce. He said another way to fund the airport expansion would be to create a special e tax district which would result in regional funding. Mr. Boles said passengers on regional airlines will still have to board planes in the rain and passengers will still have to wait for airline personnel to unload baggage after the expansion. He said most cities improve airports after economic expansion. He suggested the council commission a scientific survey to learn what the voters want to do about the airport. lotte Streisinger, 32591 Fox Hollow Road, said she is coordinator for the architecturally integrated art at the Hult Center and for new buildings on the University of Oregon campus. She said she expects to coordinate art projects in the airport expansion. She said art in public places is very important because cultures are remembered for it, because it introduces art to people who do not usually go to museums, and because art provides a sense of place. She said the art projects in the Eugene airport will significantly identify the airport. Kenneth Hern, 1400 High Street, said he is secretary/treasurer of the Eugene Firefighters Association which~s 145 members. He said members do not oppose the airport expansion, but they voted unanimously to oppose fundi ng the expansion from the General Fund because the City asked, the Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department to reduce its expenses 3 percent this year and 4 percent next year. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 15, 1986 Page 5