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<br /> Mr. Lieuallen asked for explanation of the administration of a port <br /> di strict. Mr. Amundson said it would be formed by election, with the <br /> first members of the board appointed by the governor and the subsequent <br />e members elected by the voters in the district. Each port district must <br /> establish its own bylaws and procedures, and would exist as an independent <br /> governmental unit. It has inherent taxing capacity of 15 cents per $1,000 <br /> without voter approval. It operates under state legislation, has broad <br /> powers of the law, and does not have to be a seaport. <br /> Mayor Keller asked if the main difference between the EDD and port dis- <br /> trict was the ability of the port district to tax which gives it some <br /> continuity rather than relying on grants. Mr. Amundson said the port <br /> district has the ability to tax, and the ability to deal in both pUblic <br /> and private arenas. <br /> Mayor Keller then questioned if there were obvious reasons why dry ports <br /> had not been pursued more actively. Mr. Amundson said most economic <br /> activity in Oregon is related by chance to seaports. Evidently the <br /> barrier has not been broken for dry ports as compared to seaports. <br /> Assistant Manager noted, in his experience in looking at a dry port, there <br /> was some concern by the general-purpose governments that a port district <br /> was creation of another independent service district that was apart from <br /> the general purpose government. <br /> Mayor Keller wondered if any discussion with the Port of Siuslaw had <br /> been covered regarding establishment of a port district in Eugene. Mr. <br /> Amundson said yes. It had been discussed at length and the Siuslaw group <br /> would welcome very much another such district in this area. He said a <br />e port district must serve a definite geographical and economic area. <br /> Mr. Wood said he felt an EOD group could address the issue of a port <br /> district and give initial effort to assist in its development. He asked <br /> the following from Council: (1) endorsement of the County's Economic <br /> Commission plan, assuring Council they would have a voice in future <br /> deliberations; (2) select a member for the Commission; (3) contact his <br /> staff at 687-4422 or 4423 with any questions; (4) give direction to <br /> Council's LCOG representative to vote for establishment of the commission. <br /> He said the group would never have a tax base; that, it would be initially <br /> supported by the county, and would become financially independent through <br /> grants from the government. <br /> Bob Wynia, Lane County staff, said the most imminent thing was timing, <br /> noting government grants are available now. He said if an EOD had been in <br /> existence, emergency assistance could have been given to the Westfir and <br /> Oakridge communities when the mill closed down. Also, in the housing <br /> area, EDD would have been available to assist in getting emergency housing <br /> funds for the Palace Hotel. He said in discussions with EDA, they would <br /> very much like to have a group dealing with them on economic activities as <br /> they come up, and would support the establishment of a group as quickly as <br /> possible. He also noted this would not be mutually exclusive of creation <br /> of a port district, but simply a first step toward economic improvement <br /> in the area. - <br />e 9/14/77--5 <br /> 101 <br />