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e Responding to a question, Mr. Dietholm said the Delta Pond is another magnifi- cent waterway opportunity and is a part of the Emeral d Canal pl an. VIII. STAFF REPORT (letter of March 31, 1983, to City Councilors from Gary Long distributed) Mr. Long indicated staff met when the Emerald Canal Task Force report was received and chose to focus on the util ity and f1 ood control issues because they had the most immediate public benefit and some of the major public costs. He reported that the Springfield Utility Board indicated an interest but because of the Bonnevill e Power Admini stration and WPPS, they are now not interested. Mr. Long said one issue was that Public Works Department is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on f1 ood control issues and will be for the next year. When that process is completed, staff will know what the focus has been and that is the point at which to detennine the direction the City shoul d go. Mr. Long added that if the project is begun, a variety of boards and commissions should be involved, including Parks Department, streets, and the planning process. Mr. Diethelm said that included in the packet is a fl oodpl ain manager's report from the task force. He said Mark Annstrong pointed out that the canal would save ,400,000 in f1 oodpl ain insurance costs. e IX. POSSIBLE RESOLUTIONS AND A PROPOSAL Mr. Lindberg said task force members feel that the best option is to ask City Council to direct staff to consider, in conversation with Lane County, the best system at minimal expense for presenting the idea wi thout accel erating the project unrealistically. Ms. Smith responded that the City is not in a position to budget funds for the Emeral d Canal; however, Mr. Porter's suggestions coul d be used. Mr. Porter said his plan includes a committee with representatives of the City and County wi th two sta ff to meet wi th the commi ttee, wi th EWCC fundi ng 1 etter- heads on letters requesting assistance. He anticipates more success if two juri sdictions are invol ved. Ms. Wooten favored conti nued work on the Emeral d Canal proj ect wi th the under- standing the City has no funds to contribute. Her concern is that perpetuating the committee gives tantamount approval to the project. She feels uncomfortable without a public hearing process or opportunity for people to express themselves. Mr. Porter responded that many peopl e support the Emeral d Canal if fundi ng can be found. He said the next step is pl anning to sati sfy funding questions so hearing or zoning hearings could be held. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 11, 1983 Page 4