08/12/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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. -i"':'. , ,. ::; II. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - This year1s Legislature was outstanding in its support of economic develop- ment in Eugene. $12 million was appropriated for the University of Oregon1s Advanced Science & Technology Center. $5 million was placed in a Special Public Works Fund for site-specific projects, along with an additional $18.2 million of which one-third will be available to urban areas, one-third~to rural areas, and one-third to be bid on equally. At least partially as a result of these legislative actions, the US Congress has now appropriated funding for the planned new science complex on the U of 0 campus, and this in turn is expected to spur interest in Eugene1s Riverfront University Science Park. project. Overall, it is estimated that Eugene can anticipate a total of at least $125 million in direct capital construction impact in the coming biennium. While Eugene must compete for certain funds that have not yet been specifically appropriated, it is possible that this figure will be even greater, given other economic development mechanisms established by the Legislature. . III. PUBLIC SAFETY In a two-session accomplishment, the City was successful this year in its support for legislation authorizing local governments to offer pre-paid ambulance membership programs. Eugene backed similar legi.sl.ation in 1983 that passed both houses of the Legislature but was vetoed. The concerns e expressed by the Governor at that time were resolved through compromises this year and the bill was enacted. Its life-saving potential 1 oca 11 y is expected to be significant. A repeat effort to amend Oregon's motor vehicle code to allow modified lighting for emergency vehicles was again unsuccessful. Working with the League of Oregon Cities, Eugene supports allowing steadY-burning blue lights and more than one spotlight on emergency vehicles. Although not a high priority from an overall City perspective, this continues to be a legislative issue in the law enforcement field. The 1985 session saw strong attempts to transfer costs to cities for the detention in county facilities of persons arrested by City police, and for medi ca 1 treatment of p~i SOr.e.i:- i;- <;01T1e r: i rcumstances. However, cities were successful in s~opping these propo~ais at the committee level. The 1985 session adjourned on June 21 after 159 days, the shortest session since 1977. New laws not containing an emergency claus~ will take effect 90 days after adjournment, or September 20. The proposed state sales tax, if approved by the voters on September 17, would take effect October 17, 1985, with collections of the tax starting April 1, 1986. I would like to thank all of you, and especially the Legislative Subcommittee, for the time and involvement you devoted to Eugene's legislative program e this year. The success we achieved would not have been possible without your leadership and participation. Please feel free to call if you have any comments on the reports you have received, or if you would like any additional details. Meanwhile our office will be providing departments with enrolled copies of all new legislation (including non-priority) and assisting in ;mple~entation.