09/09/1991 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Gleason said that there is a legitimat~ public safety question with Southern Pacific Railroad. The City might choose to annex the land on which the railroad resides and dedicate the money to public safety costs. Staff would be willing to look at a variety of possible mechanisms for compensa- tion. He cautioned that this could be a heavily disputed issue. CB 433I--An ordinance granting to the Burlington Northern Railroad Company, a Delaware corporation, its successors and assigns, the franchise to maintain its railway tracks over certain streets in the city of Eugene, and to operate trains and cars thereover, and to transport passengers, freight, mail, baggage, and express thereon, and to maintain its present poles and wires over certain streets in the city of Eugene, Oregon. IX. RESOLUTION CONCERNING STATE SYSTEM OF TAXATION City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the topic. Mayor Miller said that coun- cil is being asked to consider formally a reaffirmation of existing policy with respect to State financing, given that discussions are now ongoing con- cerning the development of a proposal to restructure the State's system of taxation in order to address the effects of State Ballot Measure 5. In re- sponse to concerns raised by Councilor Robinette, Mayor Miller suggested that paragraph 3 of the resolution be deleted because it is redundant and carries e an unnecessary negative connotation. Mr. Green said that while he personally supports the resolution, he voiced concern that local citizens might not agree that it is reflective of local policy and might not support the council taking a position on the issue. He reminded the council of citizens' reaction to the Desert Storm Resolution passed in the early part of the year. Mr. MacDonald said that this resolution is distinctly different from the Desert Storm Resolution in that the predominant citizen concern expressed with regard to the Desert Storm Resolution concerned the question of local jurisdiction. Responding to a question from Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Robinette said that he did not support paragraph 3 and does not want to prejudge what the council mayor may not support with respect to a revised taxation system until it has seen the measure. Ms. Ehrman observed that paragraph 3 would represent an amplification of existing policy and should not be included in the resolution. Res. No. 4268--A resolution declaring the City of Eugene's support for proposals to restructure the system of taxation used by the State of Oregon so as to maintain adequate State services and provide e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 9, 1991 Page 11