06/17/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Holmer noted the complex and exhaustive nature of the requirements in Article 80 of the Uniform Fire Code. He said he thought the City so far had e responded admirably in creating a response team and providing a vehicle. He said State action on the issue was expected in September, and National action was expected sometime next year. He said the City was at the "cutting edge" of the program and would be in competition with industries in trying to find a consultant. He said a consultant and an additional team might be wanted by December, but he thought a more detailed budget and a set of fees should be compared with those of other cities. Mr. Holmer said he thought the council could make better decisions in five or six months than it could today; therefore he said he hoped no action would be taken today and that staff would be urged to continue working toward adoption of Article 80 and would return in a few months with a more comprehensive and detailed plan. Ms. Wooten said she agreed with the importance of obtaining budget details and a ratio of user fees to General Fund support. She added, however, that the council was being asked to approve only the time line and work plan elements, which she said seemed quite detailed and proper for approval. Mr. Holmer said the work plan provided for hiring a consultant and requested staff to prepare a supplemental budget for funding the program. He said he did not want to slow down the City. s response to a hazardous materi a 1 s management program, but he also did not favor a firm financial and staff commitment until a clearer picture of the community's needs had been obtained. Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Holmer (under council rules), to approve the work elements of the plan and the tentative time line of activities and to request staff to prepare a supple- e mental budget for funding of the program for 1987-1988. Ms. Wooten urged adoption of the motion and requested that staff provide the council with information about the timing and necessity of hiring a consultant and that the supplemental budget request be submitted to the council before it was submitted to the Budget Committee. Ms. Schue said she also supported the motion. She said the National League of Cities Transportation Communication Committee 1 ast month had recei ved a , presentation from the Federal agency responsible for the transportation of \ hazardous materials by rail, and she had not been comforted after hearing about the agency' s sma 11 staff and its inability to monitor the complex problem. She said she was pleased to know that the City was aware of what was being transported on the railroad and was working to be prepared in case of difficulties. Roll call vote; the motion carried 7:1, with Mr. Holmer voting nay. VII. LEGISLATIVE FOLLOW-UP Jody Mi 11 er of the Intergovernmental Re 1 at ions Di vi si on reported on the proposal for construction of a new architecture building at the University of e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 17, 1987 Page 13