01/09/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e reflect this. However, if the council plans to maintain control through an option, the current wording is acceptable. He emphasized that the intent should be clearly stated to the voters, or the council risks losing their trust. Mr. Gleason said that with a decision of this magnitude, it was important to have council consensus on what actions should be taken. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Mr. Boles, to reconsider the previous 4:3 council vote in which the council agreed to pro- ceed to purchase the former Sears building site contingent upon voter approval of the site. The motion carried, 7:1; with councilors Boles, Bascom, Robinette, Nicholson, Ehrman, Rutan, and MacDonald voting aye; and Councilor Green voting nay. Mr. Green explained his opposition to the motion to reconsider, indicating that if the council were to reverse its initial decision, the council will have made no progress on this issue since that meeting. Mr. Rutan moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, to substitute the following motion for the reconsidered motion: that if the voters issue an affirmative vote on the advisory library mea- sure, it is the council's intent to continue control of the site. e Mr. Nicholson cautioned the council that in order to maintain community trust in the council on this issue, it should decide what it will do if the public approves the former Sears Building location and that decision should be made clear outright to the voters. Responding to a question, Mr. Farkas said that the cost to maintain an addi- tional six-month option on the building would be approximately $30,000. Mr. Gleason pointed out that, with voter approval, the public would be guar- anteed the ability to acquire the site through public condemnation. However, this might not necessarily be the best solution. The substitute motion carried unanimously, 8:0. 8il1 Gary, City Attorney's Office, summarized the council's amendments thus far.. The ballot question would not change. He suggested the following word- ing for the ballot explanation wording: the City Council has identified the former Sears site as the best location for an expanded library. If the City's voters support that decision, the council intends to continue control of the Sears site for a library. If you vote yes, you will express support for the former Sears site as the location for an expanded library. If you vote no, you will express disapproval. Mr. Gary also commented that the council may want to consider adding to the resolution findings to reflect in greater detail the council's ultimate intention. He also stated that in its earlier decision to change the wording of "tentatively decided" to "identify" e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 9, 1991 Page 8