CC Minutes - 10/09/06 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. PUBLIC FORUM Mayor Piercy reviewed the rules of the Public Forum. Zachary Vishanoff , Patterson Street, applauded the work of Holt International and noted his sister had adopted through the agency. Speaking to the earlier work session discussion concerning transportation priorities in North and West Eugene, Mr. Vishanoff suggested that the University of Oregon should not have a say in the EmX system because the owners of parcels that could benefit financially could make secret donations to the University to th influence its decision. He thought placing EmX on 13 Avenue would be a “huge can of worms,” and th would be more acceptable on 11 Avenue. He pointed out that the University attempted to acquire the th fairgrounds for a basketball arena, and that was located on 13 Avenue. Mr. Vishanoff suggested that those riding on the system be asked where the next route should be. He did not think the University should be encouraged to act like a developer, and did not think the community’s future should be turned over to University students unless more departments such as the Sociology Department were involved as the rich departments get to “intermingle with you” while other departments were marginalized. Mr. Vishanoff provided a packet of materials to the council that he asked it to review. John Brown , 101 East Broadway, thanked the council for making decisions that allowed him to remain in the community, as Eugene was a great place to live and raise and family. He also thanked the council for its dedication and the dedication of City staff to the task of taking care of the Willamette River. Over the past three years, the City had been very prompt in responding to issues. Mr. Brown asked the council to encourage other jurisdictions to be just as responsive, being good stewards of the river as well. He said that the community had no one to turn to for assistance with water quality, although there was supposed to be such an agency. Charles Biggs , 540 Antelope Way, applauded the Eugene Police Department for trying to find ways to save the taxpayer money by changing to a different paint job on patrol cars that would save money when resold. He hoped that it was true that the solid colored vehicles were easier to see. Mr. Biggs asked the council what it would suggest to the voters if the council chose to subsidize development by selling property for less than it was worth. Majeska Seese Green , PO Box 1214, Eugene, chair of the Whiteaker Community Council (WCC), said the WCC was excited about the hiring of new police auditor Christine Beamud as she felt it a big step forward for the community, made possible by passage of the charter amendment. She noted the reception that was planned for Ms. Beamud on October 17 at the Hult Center and said the WCC would help get the word out about the event. Those who attended would be asked to bring nonperishable food items for the needy. th Bob Suess , 260 East 38 Avenue, determined from Mayor Piercy that the council acted earlier on the th funding request for WestTown on 8 Avenue. He said he had been providing affordable housing in Eugene since 1961. He asked if $18,400,000 was actually required to construct 104 housing units. He pointed out that did not include the cost of land, and asked if the community really needed a “Taj Mahal” for subsidized housing. Mr. Suess believed the only residents who would benefit from the project were those who owned property in the downtown core. He had seen the “ups and downs” of such subsidies in downtown Eugene since he first moved to the community. Mr. Suess questioned the inclusion of retail space in the develop- MINUTES—Eugene City Council October 9, 2006 Page 2 Regular Meeting