04/13/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Answering a question from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Carlson said Eugene's present population would be 134,000 if River Road-Santa Clara and Glenwood were annexed. Mr. Holmer asked about Census Bureau projections for the state, and whether Eugene's projected increase parallels that projected for the state as a whole. Mr. Carlson said there were a number of different projections and projecting bodies, and those presented are consistent with Portland State's most recent projections and with other public facility planning in the area. Replying to Mr. Rutan's question about the degree to which projections are generated by past patterns, Mr. Carlson said projection work being done for the Metro Plan Update looks at the past and at current economic trends and employment projections. He reviewed a chart showing Lane County's actual employment, wage and salary data, and projections for 1958-2010. Councilors discussed their reactions to the projected population information. Mr. Holmer commented that he was uncomfortable with such a round number, but said he was satisfied with the predictions. Mr. Rutan cautioned against relying too heavily on history to make projections. He thought the 200,000 figure was too high and he suggested that more consideration should be given to physical limitations to growth. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Carlson said projections made in the 1960s underestimated Eugene's population in the 1980s, but probably overestimated that of the 1990s. Mayor Obie observed that the lesson learned from the building of the library, City Hall, and airport 20 years ago was to always build facilities that can accommodate additions to meet future needs. Mr. Holmer asked if the aging of the baby boomer generation's children would have an impact on staffing at the University and LCC and if so would therefore alter projected employment figures. Mr. Carlson responded that enrollment projections for the University are fairly stable, but University employment is expected to increase because of expansion of research facilities. Mr. Rutan described change as the one certainty in the world, and he said Eugene needs a facility with the flexibility to reach whatever capacity is dictated by a community of uncertain size. Ms. Schue said the discussion would have implications when design is considered. She suggested that one option would be to design a building with space that could be rented and used for other purposes until it is needed for library space. Ms. Decker said there is a need to plan for a library and the decision is whether to build it all now or to build it in segments and have branches. It would be helpful to know if the council has general agreement that Eugene's popl1lation by 2010 may be 200,000 and if the council's direction is to plan a facility that will meet the needs of 20 years in the future. She added that exp~nsion of the present library was identified as a need in 1977 and the lengthy delay in meeting that need continues to degrade the facility's ability to serve the public. , MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 13, 1988 Page 5