02/11/1987 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Ms. Bennett said she was committed to working with staff and councilors to provide information to the council. Responding to Ms. Bennett's question, councilors said they did not receive the minutes of Downtown Commission meetings. Ms. Bennett suggested that minutes and summaries be provided to the councilor that a commissioner provide updates at council meetings. Mr. Rutan said the council had been concerned about the commission's action to move ahead to this yearls budget a $200,000 capital improvement project and about the lack of communication. He said receiving the commission's minutes would inform the council only after actions had been taken, and he suggested establishing a City Council liaison on the Downtown Commission, perhaps as a non-voting position. He said he was willing to serve on the commission and he saw many positive things happening in downtown Eugene, adding that he thought bringing the council into the process was needed to fill the communication gap. Ms. Bennett introduced past commission Chair Micheal Schwartz. Mr. Bennett said he thought briefings were needed as items progressed, rather than trying to shorten the agenda for arriving at an advisory commission recommendation. He said he thought the issues of the Urban Renewal Plan and Willamette Street had received tremendous public involvement. He noted that the Chamber of Commerce had conducted mailed surveys and had spent much time coming to a position. Mr. Bennett said he was not uncomfortable with the fact that the Downtown Commission finally had taken a position. He said he agreed that decisions should not occur as surprises, adding that he appreciated the amount of time spent by the commission in coming to a recommendation, which he hoped the council could be comfortable in receiving. Ms. Bascom said she had thought that the forum on February 26 would be used to gather public input, which then would be used in proceeding with a decision. She said making the decision before the forum irritated citizens who were looking forward to participating in the process. She said that was one reason for the council I s action on Monday to remove from next year's capital improvement budget money for design of Willamette and for implementation of two-way traffic on South Willamette. She said the council wanted to show that decisions had not been made and that public input still was welcome. She also said she hoped that the process could proceed without the animosity and polarization that existed in the community. Ms. Schue said she would like to receive the commission's minutes and would find them helpful. She said she also would like to receive reports and other documents when they were received by the Downtown Commission. She said the council had not received the Miles report until six months after it had been adopted by the commission, and councilors then had asked for the report. She said the commission should not worry about sending too much paperwork. Mr. Holmer said he did not think the process had been harmful. He also said he thought it was inappropriate to have a councilor on the Downtown Commission. Mr. Schwartz said the City Council and Downtown Commission had held a work session in 1983, at which the reopening of Willamette Street from 8th to 10th MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 11, 1987 Page 9