06/03/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e Ms. Bascom wanted to test public support for eight items: the pool and library, the beautification program, transportation and street overlays, down- town revitalization, the airport expansion, and the Riverfront Science Park. She was against having separate menus on the ballot. She preferred "weeding out" one package from the total list and presenting this to voters. Mayor Obie listed his priorities in this order: airport, Riverfront Science Park, downtown revitalization, entrance beautification, and transportation improvements. He said the downtown plan needed much definition; the public plaza concept should be studied. He asked staff to consider where FRS-funded programs would fit into the picture now that this revenue was not forth- coming. He hoped to see these programs integrated into a new Eugene Agenda. The library and pool should be separate ballot issues. He favored presenting the priorities listed above as a single package. Ms. Schue hoped there would be no gap between what was presented to the public and what was placed on the final ballot. She said staff guidance was needed for the question of how private funding sources will fit into the scheme. Mr. Miller expressed concern that one big package might increase the chances of defeat; voters' reservations might be lessened if they knew they could choose some items and reject others. This idea should be explored during the pUblic input campaign. The councilors reached a provisional consensus that the library and pool should be presented during July meetings as a separate package. Whether or not they were put on the ballot would depend on public response. Ms. Ehrman wondered if the ballot measure was for approval of a revenue source or for the projects themselves. Mayor Obie said there must be assurances of what the money will go toward; therefore revenue sources and specific projects could not be separated. Changing the course of deliberations, Mr. Hansen said it would be foolish to break things up and present them as separate packages. All the items should be presented as a unit during the July meetings. Public response would deter- mine what is then chosen as a unified package for the November ballot. The councilors agreed this would be the best policy. Mayor Obie asked Mr. Gleason and staff to prepare a one-page information sheet on each item for the next meeting. Discussing specific program descriptions, Mr. Gleason said it would be neces- sary to separate the phrase "Federal Revenue Sharing" from these issues; FRS was a revenue source, not a project. Regarding the library, he said the deci- sion to build a new one or expand the old one must be made after a decision to fund it through the public process. The cost of either decision would be about the same. On the downtown plan, he hoped the retail projects would be supported by tax increments. The public cost of the public plaza must be defined. Parking for retail development will also be covered by tax increment financing. CIP projects that do not fit under the heading "Transportation" should be grouped under "Entrance Beautification." IV. CAPITAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS ~ Mayor Obie asked the councilors to state what revenue source they considered ~ most fair, effective, and feasible. MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session June 3, 1985 Page 5