05/25/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e such as a "Friends of Monroe Park," who can resolve issues and solve problems themselves. Ms. Wooten said during the weekend and the previous Monday, a member of the Jersey City, New Jersey, city council was in Eugene. This individual is the United States representative to the International Nuclear-Free Zone Authority of Elected Officials. He was here to discuss the upcoming international conference of nuclear-free zones from 20 countries. Ms. Wooten said that he presented a key to Jersey City, which she presented to the council. The Jersey City councilor is inviting all the delegates to the community to bring the keys to their communities as a gesture of friendship. Ms. Wooten said that protocol seemed to require a reciprocal response, and as a result she presented the delegate with a nuclear-free zone sign. Ms. Wooten agreed with Mr. Holmer that the City should develop a policy for just such occasions. Mr. Bennett expressed the belief that the City of Eugene should be able to exchange such gifts with other communities if there was a reasonable way to do so. He felt that the gifts of the sign and the key were good ceremonial gestures. He expressed concern that the visitor had chosen to take a posi- tion on the council's deliberations regarding the nuclear-free zone. He termed the decision to take a position bad timing in that the council has not completed its process. Ms. Wooten said that persistent questions from the press had prompted the answer from the visitor, and noted that the conference is not contingent upon the council's decision. She said it would not have been the visitor's choice to discuss the issue. e Ms. Bascom thanked the Public Works Department staff for their work on Public Works Day. II. WORK SESSION: URBAN RENEWAL PLAN UPDATE (DISTRICT EXPANSION/ DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS/FINANCING Mr. Hibschman discussed the urban renewal plan update process. He said there are two basic steps left in the process. The decision reached today by the council will result in a revised draft update of the renewal plan that re- flects the decision on expansion. In addition, it will reflect the fact that Willamette Street, at this point, is not recommended for opening to vehicular traffic. If necessary, after the November election, the plan can be amended. The second step will be the public hearing and final adoption of the plan. Mr. Hibschman discussed the background of the urban renewal district expan- sion. He said that the focus of the expansion was on underdeveloped and underused parcels, blighted conditions, and in an area staff feels has the best potential to stimulate private investment and development. Mr. Hibschman discussed the advantages of expansion, such as allowing existing resources in the district to be used in the expansion area without waiting for increment to be captured. Some of the disadvantages of expansion were that it could inhibit development in the original renewal district area and strain the limited resources existing in the area now. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 25, 1988 Page 4