04/28/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Councilwoman Shirey made it clear that she had not been asked by anyone at the state level to determine the city's position with regard to this property. She said she had started this on her own initiative because of her strong interest in the property. Also, she felt the city's position should be de- termined in the event the property was acquired. She reviewed the history of the property and past contacts with Wayne Morse concerning its acquisi- tion for park purposes. However, because of Senator Morse's death, she said, the property had taken on a regional, state, or even national signifi- cance as a historical site, and she hoped the Council would look at it in that light. Mrs. Shirey said the property comprised about 27 acres and should be con- sidered in the light of future development and need for retaining open space. The reputation of Hendricks Park as a regional park, she said, could be used for comparative purposes. She added that Congressman Weaver was investi- gating availability of Federal funds to match an appropriation now being considered by the State Legislature. In addition, both Congressman Weaver and Senator Hatfield were attempting to have the Morse Ranch designated as a historical landmark which would entitle some Federal funds for its preservation. With these things in mind, Mrs. Shirey asked the Council to consider its position with regard to the property, not in terms of purchase but in terms of what would happen to it if it was purchased. In response to Councilman Murray, Councilwoman Shirey said generally the question was that assuming the property was purchased by some other agency, would the city be interested in having an on-going role in its operation as a park. Ed Smith, parks director, said the property had unlimited possibilities and for that reason a "well thought out" master plan should be devised. In the meantime, he said, because of the good condition of existing buildings and the great potential of the open wooded grounds, typical community uses could be made of the property immediately without great expenditure of funds. Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mrs. Shirey that the city go on record saying that should the park become city property, the city could and would maintain it and could and would find multiple uses for it. Camm 4/16/75 Approve Councilman Bradley asked whether use of the property could include some type of pUblic housing to further the city's housing dispersal policy. Assistant Manager replied that it would depend upon the conditions under which the city might acquire the property. If it was purchased by another agency and deeded to the.city, there might be restrictions limiting its use to open space or strictly park type uses. Most of those peo~le work- ing toward acquisition of the property by the public, he said, were think- ing in terms of preserving it for open space in its present condition. Councilman Bradley wondered if the city had ever developed public housing. He was thinking in terms of assuming the city did acquire the land but was unable because of budgetary limitations to operate it as a park, whether the city could guide its development in low-density housing so as to leave portions of it in open space. Assistant Manager said the city had never been involved in developing public housing. Councilman Williams said it Was his understanding that the Council had the prerogative of de- ,claring itself the housing authority for the city if it chose, and in that role would be able to construct and lease housing under the Community De- veloment Act. However, he said there were no funds available at this time 4/28/75 - 21 2.Zto