04/28/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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and he didn't know the potential for funding under that Act. He thought the amount of land involved and potential for housing on it would. far ex- ceed any amount of Federal money coming into Eugene even though the statutory ability existed for accomplishing it. -- Councilman Keller referred to the proposed ridge line park in the South Hills and wondered whether staff had any opportunity to project costs in- volved in operation and maintenance of that area. Also, what impact operation of the Morse property as a park would have on the proposed ridge lin~ park - whether both would be economically feasible. Assistant Manager pointed out that the city now had acres of undeveloped park lands where maintenance costs were substantially less than for developed areas. He said the type of facility contemplated for the Morse property initially wo~ld be a working farm rather than as a significant community center, thereby minimizing operational costs for now. He said there was nothing in the way of development projected for the ridge line park area at the present time. Mr. Smith added that costs depended, upon the degree of development. The parks department now is trying to determine various uses for different areas of the ridge line park, but at this time no very ex- pensive maintenance costs were anticipated except for the five areas identified for developed park sites. He assumed those developed areas would cost considerable to maintain, probably $2,000 per acre, and by the time they were developed, he said, it could amount to $3,000 per acre. . He was talking of developed areas - irrigated, drained, with playgrounds, wading pools, etc. - but he didn't see that type of development occurring in the South Hills for some time. Costs for maintaining the undeveloped areas of the South Hills would vary according to the use, he said, and certainly would not be as expensive as for highly developed park areas. Councilman Haws liked the idea of developing the Morse property as park land, yet he didn't want to sacrifice other areas in town which did not have adequate parks. He was speaking specifically of wards he and Councilman Hamel represented (Bethel and Willakenzie). He asked what would happen to acquisi tion and development of park land in other parts of town if the Morse property was acquired. Assistant Manager answered that the Council should be aware of the maintenance costs which are in- curred with acquisition of any land. He noted availability of $60,000 allocated to the Crest Drive area from park bond authorization. The Joint Parks Committee, he said, was now deliberating about whether to present a bond measure for acquisition of park lands throughout the entire community. But he cautioned about recent experience in passing bond measures, the significant imEact on property tax rates, and the sub- sequent debates at budget time when maintenance funds have to be provided. On this particular pax'cel J Assistant Manager continued, acquisi tion cos.ts and maintenance costs could be separated (because of the proposal in the Legislature for state acquisition). He said planning resources were avail- able, and development of a plan would dictate the expenditure level on that park. He said the $100,000 estimate 'for potential impact was an "outside figure" and would not be reached in the next few years. If use of the property was continued in its present form, it could probably be operated for about $35,000. More definite costs could not be given until uses were determined. Councilman Haws said he understood acquisition .was not the question here, but he thought if there were limited funds for maintenance and several areas to be taken care of, some parts of the city would suffer. -- - Councilman Murray said that consideration of Joint Parks Committee liberations was premature; but that that Committee was inclined to a "city-wide" approach rather than just.a "South Hills" approach. de- take However, 4/28/75 - 22 '2:. 2;.7