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

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e concern about the adequacy of the proposed parking facility. She opposed the utility tax and proposed considering a restaurant tax or another option that should be referred to the voters after the development is underway. John Bauguess, said no effort had been made to preserve the present library. He suggested reducing support for the Hult Center and putting the money saved into the present library. Mr. Bauguess said the community could not afford a new library at this time. Julie Aspinwall-Lamberts, 1286 Piper Lane, spoke on behalf of the Eugene Downtown Commission in expressing support of the proposed location at 8th Avenue and Olive Street. The mixed-use development responds to a primary goal of the Downtown Plan adopted by the council in 1984. The commission was concerned with the depletion of tax increment and parking reserves because it could impact the City's ability to respond to additional development opportunities in the near future. As a private citizen, Ms. Aspinwall-Lamberts expressed strong support for the proposed public/private project and siting the library at that location. While she expressed some concern regarding the proposed utility tax, she supported it as an appropriate mechanism to restore and support library services. Fergus McLean, 38574 Dertz Road, considered the proposal a risky use of public funds. While he found a new library exciting, he cautioned against approaching the project with undue haste. Mr. McLean suggested expansion of e the urban renewal district to include the present library site. By expanding the library there, he anticipated the City would save money that could then be made available to help the homeless people in the community. Connie Toomey, 2574 Harris, advised the council to not anger and alienate the community by the way it conducts business. She suggested implementing a voluntary user fee for the library. She expressed concern that a private interest in the library building could result in attempts to control the library's hours, materials, speakers, and patrons. She recommended exploring The Bon and Sears buildings as alternative library sites. Ellen Maddex, 2570 Van Ness, expressed preference for a graduated income tax to finance capital improvements, but did not oppose the utility tax. She proposed lowering the tax rate on essential utilities and raising it on cable television. She urged the council to delay all capital improvements until operating and maintenance revenue is available. Molly Stafford, 1060 Madison, identified herself as a user and supporter of the library and expressed support for the proposed downtown location. While she did not consider the utility tax perfect, she maintained that conservation efforts would reduce its cost to consumers. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 19, 1988 Page 9 ~