03/02/1992 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e with a natural boundary. He felt it would be a difficult option to defend. Mr. Nicholson expressed confidence in the public's willingness to fund well thought-out and well-presented programs. Mr. Robinette felt it an awkward time to ask voters to fund this, and he favored the urban renewal option. Mr. Gleason suggested that the council authorize $30,000 for design of the project and refer the question of forming an urban renewal district to the voters in June. A "yes" outcome could require another vote if the council moved ahead with an urban renewal district and a referendum were filed. Several councilors expressed concern with the timing of the project in light of the Eugene Decisions process. Mr. Boles said voters would be confused with a pre-district and post-district referendum. He suggested staff figure the opportunity costs for a year's delay on the highway proposal so the project would naturally be embedded in the Eugene Decisions process. Mr. Lyle expressed concern that the City's budget would not be able to sup- port a delay. Mr. Gleason estimated the cost of delaying the highway con- struction project a year, accounting for inflation, at $800,000. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Mr. Green, that the council move forward with the Highway 99 project on schedule. Mr. Boles moved, seconded by Mr. Nicholson, that the motion be amended to include direction for update of the Whiteaker Re- finement Plan and allocating the remaining contingency to defray the costs of the study. The motion to amend the main motion passed 5:1; Ms. Bascom opposed. The main motion passed unanimously, 6:0. Mr. Green moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, that staff be direct- ed to proceed with tax increment financing for the Highway 99 utility undergrounding. The motion passed 4:3; with Ms. Ehrman, Mr. Boles, and Mr. Nicholson opposed and Mayor Miller breaking the tie. Mr. Gleason said that forming an urban renewal district would reduce the $125,000 to almost nothing. He also expressed trepidation at forming a dis- trict on a split council vote. Mr. Green moved, seconded by Ms. Ehrman, to reconsider his motion. The motion passed 5:1; Mr. Robinette opposed. The main motion (to approve a tax increment district) failed 2:4; Mr. Robinette and Ms. Bascom voting yes. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 2, 1992 Page 4