06/27/1979 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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VII. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL POSITION WITH RESPECT TO LANE COUNTY ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION ISSUES (Memo distributed) - A. Economic Improvement Commission EIC has requested that it be separated from L-COG board review, and that it operate as a separate, autonomous commission. Problems which would arise would be in the area of cost and duplication of services to EIC and to the COG. Staff recommends that Council indicate to EIe that Eugene's financial participation will be at a level of $13,000 for fiscal year '79-80, and, consequently, strongly urges that the Ele staff continue to be housed within L-COG. This recognizes that, due to budgetary constraints, Eugene's level of participation may have to be reduced further. Manager feels that City would have no advantage to EIC's independence. Mr. Lieuallen feels strongly that EIC should remain within L-COG and Ms. Miller feels that the City should be able to appoint its own lay member. Mr. Delay asked about the appointment process. Mr. Haws said that the City recommended a representative and that person was not chosen. Mr. Jim Farah said that, if the recommended $13,000 is budgeted for EIC for 1979-80, EIC's operating budget would be $35,000, an amount too low to support staffing which is not housed within L-COG. He said that the advantages for City support of the EIC are the ability for cooperative efforts in economic development; and, secondly, EDA grants e will not be considered unless there is evidence of a cooperative structure within the area. Mr. Haws asked if the federal government would accept a City-run EIC and a County-run EIC, to be housed within L-COG. Mr. Farah said that, under that structure, the COG would have to retain development of the overall economic development plan. He suggested that EIC's position with the L-COG be evaluated after a year. Councilors Lieuallen, Delay, Obie, and Haws agreed that the EIC should stay within the COG for a year, and be reviewed at the end of the year. They feel that there should be some benefit to the City before they commit themselves to the COG indefinitely. Mr. Haws moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that, since the City's resolution is terminating, City recommends to L-COG that no position has been taken on the continuance of EIC; that City will support EIC for a year if it remains a part of L-COG, and that City will appoint its own lay member. Motion carried unanimously. - 6/27/79--6 351