04/13/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e dollars. It is important to annex this area, have services in place, and be ready for development. The West Eugene sewer trunk line is the problem. The City has, in the sewer fund, $5 million. The trunk line would cost between $11 and $12 million (including a major pressure line that would feed back to the treatment plant in the area of Barger). Financing has been discussed. They have considered going to the private sector and a bond issue. It would take a year of decision and a year of construction. Mr. Obie stressed the importance of maintaining those sites. Mr. Farah explained that ME zoning will be coming to council in early summer. Mr. Farah pointed out the renewal site in the Four Corners area as the third area under consideration. There are access problems and tremendous image problems. This has better pay-off possibilities. It is consistent with the City's goals and policies. Ms. Miller said it does not make sense to spend $12 million on sewers when there is already usable land. Mr. Gleason added that these are timing issues in the capital improvements plan. He said one must take the general plan and match it up with the industrial siting and the economic development. This works into the financing scheme for the next year. The City then becomes an island unto itself. To coordinate with other jurisdictions does not work. Mr. Farah said this represents approximately 729 acres. Mr. Farah discussed Section III of the memo--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. The two directions advocated by the committee were to prepare industrial land for new companies and to help local businesses expand. Mr. Farah reviewed the memo. e Ms. Smith wanted to see the entire marketing concept included in the work plan, both the marketing of industrial lands and of products. The council discussed the State Department of Economic Development, the University, and LCC as poss- ible sources of aid in marketing. Ms. Miller suggested this was the role of private industry. Mr. Gleason added it currently costs more to get a new firm than to have local firms expand. Ms. Miller saw a role of assistance to local business. Mr. Obie agreed that a body is needed for solicitation and assistance to business in order to create a healthy small business economy. Ms. Miller suggested a person should give 25 to 50 percent of staff time to this project. Ms. Wooten wanted to see concrete technical assistance, not the promotion of Eugene. Ms. Wooten told the council about a young business that currently needs marketing help. Mr. Obie pointed out the tenacity needed to accomplish something of this sort in Eugene's envi- ronment with permits, hearings, etc. He distributed a paper summarizing the steps necessary to get conditional use zoning changes. One stop permits had been discussed. Ms. Baker said that she and Liz Cawood were compiling a bro- chure on how to negotiate the City's morass of permits, zoning, etc. Ms. Smith said she would like to see some steps eliminated before the brochure goes to press. The council decided to set a mid-term mini-goal-setting session. It would include a facilitator. Mr. Gleason defined economic development as a three- legged stool including destination point development (Convention Bureau, EPAC), redevelopment activity (housing, neighborhood development, downtown core, e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 13, 1981 Page 4