05/14/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e MINUTES EUGENE CITY COUNCIL May 14, 1979 Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller at 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers, May 14, 1979, with the following Councilors present: Jack Delay, D. W. Hamel, Eric Haws, Scott Lieuallen, Brian Obie, Gretchen Miller, and Emily Schue. Betty Smith was absent. I. Agenda Addition--SB 472 (Memorandum Distributed) Manager asked for a motion to consider the City's strategies in dealing with SB 472. He explained that the grass seed growers and the Legisla- ture, in enacting SB 472, have refused to take responsibility for air quality in the Willamette Valley and the City sees no alternative but to seek legal remedies. - Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Haws, to amend the agenda to consider SB 472 and its consequences. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Long explained that 5B 472 applies not to this year's burning, but to next year's burn, and sets the acreage limit at 250,000. The City opposed this bill and they were almost successful. The alternatives open to the City now are several: First would be involvement in the admini- strative process of the Environmental Protection Agency wherein there is a request by the State of Oregon to go from the present limitation of 50,000 acres to 180,000 acres. The City would, if the motion passed, intervene directly in that matter and attempt to defeat the amendment to the State Implementation Plan. That would make the limitation 50,000 acres. Second would be, with the Council's authority, to develop some possible issues to present to Federal Court in the form of a declaratory judgment or some similar proceeding. Finally, the City could assist the State and Federal governments in enforcing the limitation ultimately established for this and for next year. Mayor expressed his frustration at the Legislative hearing. People who testified seemed to feel that Eugene had done nothing about air pollution. He asked the Council to take a strong position. He said that Eugene will suffer economically because of the impact on growing businesses and industries. The grass seed growers refused to compro- mise. He lauded the fine work of the legislators who supported the City. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Hamel, that the Council instruct staff to pursue whatever remedies are or may be available to the City in this matter. Motion carried unanimously. e ZS6 5/14/79--1