01/26/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. e e Councilman ~radley ~as concerned about excluding the public. yet letting the press attend. saY7ng th~ Intent of the public meeting law was to provide for open meetings of a~l pub11c bod1e~ except where provided for executive sessions. Any discussion carr1~d on at any tIme. he said, should be as though the public was in attendance. Coun~Ilman Murray's recollection was that even though meetings in the past at which appOIntments were made had been open to the public. there had been no on in attendance. Councilman Williams said he had suggested the motion to exclude the public for a number of reasons. not the least of which was that it seemed grossly unfair for some to have the opportunity to hear others interviewed, thereby enhancing their own chances of making the best possible statement when interviewed. He had serious reservations whether that was in the best interests of the community. Mr. Murray noted that was a concern in the interview process when selecting HCDC members. but it was taken care of by having a staff member intercept those coming for interview, explaining the si~uation. and at the same time making it clear they could attend if they wished. He saId that all co-operated and did not enter the room while another applicant was being interviewed. Mr. Williams added that in the selection process when it is in open public session, there is no interchange of ideas between Council members. The applicant simply gives a statement, he said. a vote is taken. and the issue decided. Mr. Williams didn't think that there was any benefit from that procedure. '- Vote was taken on the amendment as stated. Motion carried _ Council members Haws. Beal, Murray. Bradley, Hamel, and Shirey voting aye; Council members Keller and Williams voting no. H. Westside Neighborhood Study Proposal, John Blayney Associates - Discussion continued from the January 14 comrndttee meeting with John Porter, planning director, explaining that the proposed contract with John Blayney Associates for study of the area immediately west of the central business district had been revie~ved with the Downtown Development Board, the Renewal Agency, and the Housing and Community Development COnwUssion. He explained the contract would formalize procedures based on previous action taken by the Council and HCDC dealing with the recommendation in the Eugene Commercial Study to include this area in the neighborhood improvement process. Mr. Porter pointed out that there were conflicts between the existing zoning in that area and the 1990 Plan that need to be addressed. He said that the Downtown Development Board had been assured they would be an important part of this study, and that the contract as drafted /fIfOuld provide for meetings between the consultants and the Board as well as the Planning Commission and HCDC. --./ Jim Saul, planner, explained proposed modification to the contract to meet concerns expressed previOUSly with regard to whether wording adequately covered recommendations in the Commercial Study adopted by the Council. He said the words ". . . and identified specific concerns to be addressed in the study. . ." would be added to the third paragraph under the recitals, as well as making City Council minutes covering discussion at time of adoption of the Livingston and Blayney recommendations a part of the contract. Councilman Murray said the change would address his concern:? However, he commented on the three scenarios proposed by the study: all housing, all commercial, and mixed uses. He thought it strange that one would cover only housing and one on.ly commercial when the 1990 Plan, existing zoning, and the Commercial Study recommendation on p~ich Co~~cil action was taken all call for mixed ~ses. Mr. Porter said that pcint was debated with the consultants from the \;ie~'lpojnt that rerroving one of the scenarios would reduce the cost of the study. However, the consultants felt all three were needed if the best information was to be accumulated and give the ranges needed. He added that it is a sensitive area and much citizen interest is expected, so it was felt best to have all answers possible On all three areas of concern. --./ 47 1/26/76 - 21