12/18/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e purpose use, and a transfer of money from the general fund to the utility fund. The net impact was not cash-negative to the general fund. It was dis- cussed as a sale, but it was not technically a sale. It was a value transfer. Responding to a comment from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Gleason said the City's relation- ship with EWEB has improved and, perhaps in the future, EWEB will follow the City's example and transfer land at no cost. Responding to a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Croteau said apartment residents to the north of 4th Avenue will not be able to use the vacated alleys. Ms. Wooten asked why the City does not have a reciprocal agreement with EWEB for the exchange of property. She said there have been times when EWEB pro- perty would have been useful to the City. Mr. Gleason said administrative and legal work on the transfer of real property is being done. It is a complica- ted issue. He expects a policy statement will be negotiated that can be recommended by the staff. The policy statement will then be approved by the EWEB Board of Directors and the City Council. Mr. Gleason did not want to hold up the vacation until the whole issue is resolved. He thought the City should demonstrate appropriate interagency behavior when surplus property is transferred. Answering other questions, Mr. Gleason said an agreement on specific issues of reciprocity has not been reached but progress has been made. Mr. Croteau said the land in the requested vacation might be valued at $50,000 to $100,000. Mr. Gleason said the first step in the resolution of the reciprocity issue is - an agreement about the dispute; then the issue can be considered by the po1icymakers. He said the City charter indicates a relationship between the EWEB Board of Directors and the City Council and a direct relationship con- cerning land disposition. Several councilors asked if an EWEB representative would discuss the issue. Deborrah Brewer, EWEB Planning and Governmental Affairs Coordinator, was in the audience. She said the vacated area will replace the storage yard being lost at the east end of the EWEB site to the University of Oregon. A delay of one month might be acceptable. A longer delay would cause problems because EWEB plans to move some things into the area in February and March. She said the EWEB Master Plan indicates EWEB will respond to City concerns by providing open space near the river. The land area of the open space along the river is greater than the area of the requested vacation. Mr. Holmer did not see any advantage in deferring action on the proposal. He said EWEB is a separate entity engaged in a commercial activity. It is dif- ferent from other City departments. Mr. Miller said the City budget indicated payments to EWEB for the 8th and High Street property. Money was taken from other things to make the pay- ments. Mr. Gleason responded that the City considered the transaction a transfer of land uses. Keith Parks, former EWEB General Manager, considered the transaction a sale. Mr. Gleason said the City Charter does not indicate clearly whether the EWEB Board of Directors or the City Council has responsi- bility for land used by EWEB which is declared surplus. The City's policy is e clear. City departments are not charged for the transfer of surplus land. MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 18, 1985 Page 6