02/16/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Councilor Lindberg suggested that, if the initial six-month portion of the program is successful, the business community, which would derive a direct benefit from the program, might be able to pick up a portion of the program costs. Ms. Briner noted that the program was already jointly funded by the Chamber of Commerce and that using only four staff members to leverage service from the entire community was a good use of funds. She agreed that it would be possible to look for funding help for the program in the future. Responding to a question from Councilor Hansen, Ms. Briner said that ambassadors who wish to use their own letterheads and postage for contacts will be encour- aged to do so, but that the BATeam will provide these for those who do not. Mr. Hansen suggested that staff not devote too much time and expense to estab- lishing checks and balances for the program. Councilor Ball said that, while he remained skeptical about the program, he believed it should go ahead, with the council reviewing results closely. He said he believed it was appropriate for the enamoer and the business community to take over responsibility for the program if it is successful. Mr. Obie moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the Ambassador Program as outlined. Roll call vote; motion carried unanimously. V. DOWNTOWN PLAN--PROGRESS REPORT (memo, Downtown Commission 1983 Action Plan distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Pat Decker, Department of Housing and Community Conserva- tion. Ms. Decker introduced David Filer of the Downtown Commission. Mr. Filer presented the council with a three-dimensional drawing of the Downtown Plan area. He said that the February 9, 1983, memo from staff that had been distributed to councilors described the commission's progress to date on the Downtown Plan. He then spoke on his own thoughts regarding the plan and on marketing downtown Eugene. He noted that it was difficult to apply marketing studies to the downtown social system, which had developed over a long period of time. He said the downtown was different from a suburban shopping center and therefore required different planning and was a more complicated product to market. Mr. Filer felt that some of Eugene's old traditions, such as the Farmers' Market and the Pioneer Parade, should be reinstituted to help rekindle interest in the downtown. Councilor Obie asked if the commission were considering alternative land uses for the downtown, such as more housing or light manufacturing. Mr. Filer said that the planning process had not yet gotten that specific and that variety was definitely possible. Councilor Lindberg asked if the commission was communicating with the public and if the interests of downtown residents were being represented. Mr. Filer said that citizen participation had been good, with a cross-section of interests represented. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 16, 1983 Page 5