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

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Commenting on the proposal, Ms. Wooten said the open space provided by EWEB in e the master plan responds to a public responsibility. She was concerned about the implications of the requested vacation. She said the council has strug- gled to improve its relationship with the EWEB Board, but the specific rela- tionship has not been defined. A reciprocal agreement about land exchanges would facilitate the definition of the relationship. It seems the City buys land from EWEB, but the City gives land to EWEB. It is not fair, and she is tired of it. Before the requested vacation is approved, she would like some progress toward a reciprocal agreement about land exchanges. Ms. Wooten moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to postpone action to January 29, 1986, on the EWEB request for vacation of street and alley rights-of-way (SV 85-2). Mr. Rutan said the reciprocal agreement is important. However, it will not be easy to get the agreement if the comparatively minor vacation request is a hostage. He has confidence that the City Manager and the EWEB General Manager will effect a reciprocal agreement without a vacation request hanging over their heads. He would oppose the motion. Ms. Bascom appreciated the City Manager's efforts to negotiate with EWEB. She said the negotiations would be more effective without the postponement of the vacation request. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Gleason said a tentative agreement may be achieved within a month. The council could indicate that it is pleased e with the EWEB Master Plan and does not intend to hold up its implementation, but that the council would like to start a practice with the requested vaca- tion. When the Gillespie Butte issue was discussed, irrelevant questions arose before the policy question could be resolved. Policies can be addressed better without irrelevant factors, Mr. Gleason said. Answering a question from Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Gleason said the council will have to request a vote on a bond issue to finance the office building EWEB plans to construct. Ms. Schue wanted the EWEB Board to understand that the council is serious about settling the problems. She intended to vote to approve the vacation, but she thought a postponement would indicate the council's concerns to the EWEB Board. She said the Gillespie Butte issue is still not solved. Mr. Gleason said a postponement would not be disastrous for EWEB if the coun- cil clearly indicates that it wants to resolve the issues and does not intend to impede implementation of the EWEB Master Plan. Mr. Miller also wanted to get the reciprocity issue resolved. He did not intend to hold up EWEB's development of its property. Mr. Holmer said the message will be clearest if the motion to postpone action is defeated, the vacation request is approved, and a resolution is passed that the council expects the issues to be resolved expeditiously. -- MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 18, 1985 Page 7