07/10/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Miller expressed concern with separating the library from the Eugene e Decisions process. He warned that in doing so, the council risks pitting one part of the community (in particular, those who want increased police and fire protection services) against another. He said he is also concerned that using staff time on the library issue might lengthen the Eugene Decisions time line. Mr. Nicholson argued that the council made a decision to treat this issue separately when it asked the voters to approve a library on this site. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to create a full financing package for the library that includes building ac- quisition, capitalization, and O&M costs to be presented to the voters in November. In response to Mr. Robinette's concerns, Mr. Boles noted that the council has a clear mandate from the voters to construct a library on this site. Ms. Ehrman suggested that the council follow a process similar to the Airport in which it created a subcommittee of councilors and staff to create study the issue, create a proposal, and make a recommendation to the council. She noted that with a project of this magnitude, the council has limited possi- bilities for financing. Mr. Robinette spoke in opposition to the motion. Noting that the purpose of the Eugene Decisions process is to ask the community to prioritize City ser- e vices; the library is a major component of this process and should not be withdrawn from the decision. Ms. Bascom cautioned the council that it needs to be politically wise in going to the public for a vote on the library. Timing is critical. The council may risk losing the library vote if it asks the citizens to make a decision on the issue before the Eugene Decisions process has been completed. November is too soon to conduct the type of campaign that would be necessary. Mr. MacDonald agreed with Ms. Bascom. He suggested that the motion be amend- ed to target a March election. He argued that with a March vote, the council would be better integrated with the outcome of the Eugene Decisions process and noted that it would also allow adequate time to campaign. Mr. MacDonald moved, seconded by Mr. Green, to amend the mo- tion to target a March 1992 library election date. Ms. Ehrman reminded councilors that the community has a long history of sup- port for a library. The library was on the Eugene Agenda when Brian Obie was Mayor. The council might be able to avoid a divisive vote, if it could iden- tify a new revenue source for the library. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 10, 1991 Page 7