06/02/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e general models existed for Urban Renewal Agencies--the existing advisory committee model in whi ch the Ci ty Council acts as Urban Renewal Agency, assisted by an advisory committee composed mainly of business and property owners within the district; and the model used for the Portland Development Commission and Spokane, Unlimited, groups which operated privately, independent ly of the City Council, or both. Ms. Ehrman asked about the authority used to establish the Portland and Spokane agencies. Ms. Stewart said the Portland Development Commission had been created by a charter of the City Council, and its five members were appointed by the Mayor. She said the City Council approved Urban Renewal Plans and was informed of condemnation and acquisition of property carried out by the PDC. Ms. Stewart said the Spokane group was a private, non-profit organization, and the Mayor was an ex-officio member of the board of directors. Thirty-five board members paid annual fees of $1,000 to $15,000 for a three-year commitment and conducted all planning for Spokane except for the pavi ng of streets. Mr. Gl eason added that Washington did not allow Tax Increment Districts and that Oregon law did not allow delegation such as that in Spokane. He said Eugene could create a commission such as that in Portland. Responding to Ms. Wooten's question, Ms. Stewart said membership on the Spokane board was not 1 imited except for the fees. She added that the majority of property in Spokane was controlled by six local owners, who were on the board. Ms. Wooten asked how funds for public improvements were generated in Spokane. Ms. Stewart said Spokane was an established, fairly wea 1 thy city, and the group usually woul d issue a bond measure. If the measure failed, funds were raised privately, which had been the method used for the Skyway system and for the World's Fair. Ms. Stewart reviewed the cities that had separate material for Urban Renewal Agencies. She said all of the cities except Portland and Spokane had advisory groups to their city councils. She showed the number of advisory members for each city and said Eugene's ordinance probably was the most specific about representation. She added that all five members of the Portland Development Commission were developers, financiers, or economists, with the Mayor's appointments based on geographic representation. She also said the Portland and Spokane groups had their own staffs, while the other city councils used City staffs. Responding to Ms. Wooten's question, Ms. Stewart said the Portland City Council approved all renewal plans, of which it had an extensive number. She added that the Development Commission implemented and negotiated those plans. Ms. Stewart said all cities except Spokane had Tax Increment financing, therefore, Spokane actually was not a renewal agency. Ms. Stewart reviewed the actors (the City Council as renewal agency, the Downtown Commission, the Planning Commission, staff, and private sector developers) and functions (approval, recommendation, comment, negotiation and implementation, and drafting and forwarding of options) involved in downtown development. She said plans, budgets, and projects for development preceded council process. She said the council approved all budgets, plans, public improvements, and site development in the Downtown Plan and the budget MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner/Work Session June 2, 1987 Page 9