12/19/1988 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e enhance the safety of the downtown area. Mr. Johnson said he would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the library as a "check-off" on his utility bill. Don Norris, 1984 Kimberly Drive, opposed the proposed library location and the development's elimination of a popular downtown surface parking lot. He said another parking structure is needed downtown. Mr. Norris claimed that inaccessibility of the proposed site would require reopening Willamette and/or Olive streets. He also objected to the proposed library site because of security problems. Brian Knowles, 1133 Olive Street, Apt. 915, identified himself as a low-income person. He said the utility tax would be detrimental to the low-income, senior, and retired populations. Mr. Knowles opposed Pankow's locating in Eugene and suggested that the Sears building should house the library. At this point, Mayor Obie called for a ten-minute recess. Blase Bova, Westside Neighborhood Quality Project, reported that in a meeting of the Westside Neighborhood Quality Project and Jefferson Area Neighbors, a surv~y indicated that out of 18 residents present, seven agreed that the council should pass the financing package which included the utility tax, ten were opposed, and one abstained. Two participants preferred neighborhood branches instead of an improved central library, and 14 did not. Eleven residents favored putting all library decisions to a vote of the people, and - six did not. Regarding the proposed design of the Pankow building, five indicated they liked it and ten did not. While he was not opposed to a new library, or a new tax to fund it, Mr. Bova requested that the council refer any proposed tax to the voters. He commented that the utility tax would be more regressive than a sales tax because it would not exempt essential services. Douglas Card, 1272 Jackson, identified himself as the co-chair of the Westside Neighborhood Quality Project. Mr. Card referred to Mr. Bova's report on the neighborhood meeting and said it was clear that those at the meeting preferred a central library, agreed that if Pankow builds, it should include the library. Mr. Card said the Pankow development deserves more discussion and should be referred to the voters, According to Mr. Card, all citizens share the goals of cultural betterment of the community, lower taxes, opportunities to save $5 million, and a higher level of citizen participation. Sue Girardeau, 2398 Douglas Drive, represented the League of Women Voters of Lane County. Because the library needs to be large enough to meet the needs of the community for the next 20 years and it is impractical to expand at the present location, the league supports the Pankow proposal as an opportunity to achieve a fine facility that would meet most of the criteria for a library (convenient to use, easily accessible, centrally located, attractive, and designed for efficient and effective operation). Ms. Girardeau expressed e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 19, 1988 Page 8