01/26/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e One thing that has happened in the West University neighborhood is development of a park. The City has not looked at those who live in other areas. Many low-income residents live at the foot of the walkway to Gillespie Butte and they could benefit from this acquisition. It is also accessible by bus. It could be developed for foot traffic, it is easily accessible, and it is a special kind of place. She quoted Mr. Drapela as having stated, IIThis is an area which cannot be duplicated.1I Cheryle Hawkins, 1350 Bailey Avenue, said that she lives in the Whiteaker neighborhood now, but she grew up in the Cal Young and Willagillespie Road area. She was about ten years old when she left the Cal Young area. At that time, Valley River was a bean yard and Delta Highway was a non-polluted swimming pond. Her favorite place was Gillespie Butte. It is different from Corum Hill which is now developed, different from Kelly Butte in Springfield which is now developed, but similar to Skinner and Spencer buttes which are left also. They are very nice but she could not imagine developing those any more than she could imagine developing Gillespie Butte. She feels that taking this issue to EWEB is a good idea and feels that EWEB should hold a public hearing to decide what to do with this piece of puolic land. She also agrees with the proposed historic designation. She feels the cemetery is beautiful. Twenty years ago in Eugene, there was a large quantity of open space and she is curious as to what kinds of open space will be available 20 years from now. She is concerned that if this is not acquired as a park, it will be developed. Kenneth Jones, 530 Rome Drive, stated that he had submitted a letter to each councilor which summarizes the arguments he has made. He feels there should be no jurisdictional dispute between EWEB and the City of Eugene and suggested a joint meeting between the City and EWEB to address this question and reach a resolution that is equally fair. He feels the argument in favor of private development regarding park vandalism should not be considered because vandalism occurs when there is an absence of proper control. He compared this to the Hendricks Park area. He also feels that if EWEB purchased the property as an investment with Water Department revenues, then it is entitled to a fair return on the investment, but consideration should be given to the fact that the Water Department receives many City services at reduced or no cost because it is exempt from property tax payment. EWEB projects a $695,000 carry-over balance for their Water Department on September 30, 1981. This is a much larger amount than previously projected and establishment of this reserve could be staged over a number of years with proceeds from the installment sale of Gillespie Butte going to the City if it were sold in this fashion. Water sales are projected to be 2.5 percent above last year's consumption levels, but that was a very mild year. Water revenues from an average year would generate between $150,000 and $200,000 in additional revenue. Also, the Water Department has budgeted $1.5 million in 1980-81 for constructing feeder lines to new subdivisions and commercial developments. He feels the estimated need for these funds should be re-evaluated because of interest-rate constraints on construction, MlNUTES--Eugene City Council January 26, 1981 Page 6