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M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL March 24,1976 ~ - Adjourned meeting - from March 22, 1976 - of the Common Council of the city of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Lester E. Anderson at 11:30 a.m. on March 24, 1976 in the Council Chamber with the following Council members present: Gus Keller, Eric Haws, Neil Murray, Ray Bradley, D. W'. Hamel, and Edna Shirey. Council members Wickes Beal and Tom Williams were absent. -A-l I - Property Acquisition, 1458 Ferry Street Some Council members viewed the property on tour prior to the meeting. Manager ex- plained that the property, if purchased, would be used as a West University Neighbor- hood community center, a meeting place and activity center for that neighborhood. He said initial offers had been made in line with several appraisals and the Com- munity Development Act. It is now necessary to negotiate with the owner. It is not assume that condemnation proceedings will be filed, he said, since it is likely the city's offer would be accepted. Resolution No. 2493 - Authorizing negotiation and condemnation for acquisition of property at 1458 Ferry Street was read by number and title. Bob Thomas, acting Renewal Agency director, said acquisition of the property had been recommended by the Joint Community Development Committee and the Housing and Community Development Commission under the current year's budget. Acquisition also has been approved in next year's community development application. - In response to Councilmen Keller's question about availability of parking, Mr.Thomas said there was none provided because the center would be within walking distance of those using it in the West University neighborhood and it was also across the street from Central Presbyterian Church where parking was available. '--' Councilman Bradley asked what interest the neighborhood organization would have in theownership of the property if it was acquired, whether the building could be used for any purpose other than a community center, where proceeds would go if the city decided to sell the property later, who would be responsible for maintenance and what was expected in the way of maintenance costs. Mr. Thomas answered that the West University Neighborhood group would have no interest in the ownersip of the building. He said the center would be used for any purpose consistent with the Com- munity Development Act and that if it should be sold by the city, fund therefro~ would go to the Community Development Fund. He added that there is flexibility _ the property could be traded, or sold and the funds used with other funds under .the Community Development Act to acquire other space, if it is determined that is needed. The intended use at this time, he said, was for a community center for that neigh- borhood. Maintenance would be the responsibility of the parks department and would be funded from the parks budget. Mr. Thomas continued that the Community Development Committee has recommended allocation of $6,000 for a caretaker or part-time director for the facility for the next action year. Ed Smith, parks director, explained that the building was in very good repair, it was small and could be used immediately without extensive modification. Operational cost could be kept to a minimum - that was one reason for recommending its acquisition, he said. - Councilman Bradley then asked if it was thought the city would be showing favoritism in buying this property for the West University neighborhood. He noted this was the first acquisition of its kind for a specific neighborhood and that it was not con- '-- 3/24/76 - 1 l7t