01/17/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e L. Parking Task Force Ms. Ehrman moved, seconded by Mr. Bennett, to appoint Mr. Boles to the Downtown Development District Review Group (DDDRG) Parking Task Force. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 8:0. II. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONDEMNATION OF PROPERTY CB 4189--An ordinance authorizing the institution of proceedings in eminent domain for the acquisition by condemnation of property interests in or adjacent to the Riverfront Research Park for the purposes of construction of street improvements, construction of other public facilities, and development or redevelopment; and declaring an emergency. - Les Lyle, Public Works Engineering, provided the council with a staff report. Staff requests approval of an ordinance authorizing acquisition by condemnation, as needed, for street rights-of-ways in order to implement the Riverfront Research Park infrastructure improvements. Properties which require acquisition by the City have been defined and are identified in the exhibit to the ordinance. Approval of the ordinance will enable the Public Works Department to conduct the acquisition process and to use condemnation only if it is necessary to ensure that the improvement project proceeds. Following approval, appraisals of the properties will be prepared and negotiations with affected property owners will be conducted. Condemnation proceedings will be used only when negotiations do not result in successful acquisitions. Mr. Boles asked whether the City has secured a development agreement with the potential developer of the Riverfront Research Park and, if not, indicated that permission for condemnation should be put off until such an agreement has been obtained. Abe Farkas, Planning and Development Director, said that the City has secured a predevelopment agreement with the developer and is in the process of negotiating the development agreement, which should soon be forthcoming. Responding to a request for clarification from Ms. Ehrman, Bill Gary of the City Attorney's Office said that in initiating this ordinance, the City is beginning the process of acquiring the property and will presumably be negotiating for the property pursuant to this ordinance. Condemnation proceeding, if used, can be dismissed at any time, but the City may be obligated to pay certain costs incurred by property owners as a result of this step. Mr. Rutan indicated that although he will support this ordinance, property condemnation is one of the most severe steps a City can take and should not be considered lightly. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 17, 1990 Page 5