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Councilor Poling said he originally intended to vote in opposition. He commented that the council could not even "get through [its] own business" and yet found time to weigh in on federal issues. He indicated he would support the resolution, however. Councilor Solomon did not think there had been adequate public participation in this item. She pointed out that there was an alternative path; that councilors and citizens could write letters as individuals. Councilor Pryor commented that he was normally disinclined to address issues that were far away from the business of the City. He said there were many issues that were appropriate in a larger forum that did not involve the City, its jurisdiction, and what it had to do. He thought once in a while, an issue came forward that, while not directly related to the City, was so important in its impact that the City should at least take a stand. He stated that torture was reprehensible. He supported the resolution, but stressed that he would not support every big issue that came before the council. He encouraged the council to reserve such resolutions for very special instances given that the council had a lot of business to conduct for the City. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 7:1; Councilor Solomon voting in opposition. 4. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution 4831 Forming a Local Improvement District For Paving, Constructing Curbs and Gutters, Sidewalks, Pedestrian Medians, Street Lights, and Stormwater Drainage on River Avenue From 200 Feet East of River Road to 100 Feet West of Beltline Highway City Manager Taylor asked Michelle Cahill, Principal Civil Engineer for the Public Works Department, to provide a brief overview of the proposed resolution. Ms. Cahill stated that the public hearing was primarily to consider whether a local improvement district (LID) should be formed for River Avenue. She reported that the initial hearing had been held by a Hearings Official in the summer of 2004, and was continued before the council because of the number of remonstrances received at that hearing. She said the Lane Board of County Commissioners reconsidered its action of the summer of 2004 as well, and approved an order in February 2005, that authorized the City to assess the ten unincorporated properties that had frontage on River Avenue. Additionally, she stated that the contractor had agreed to hold to its original bid at the prices of the summer of last year. She indicated that the street plan was consistent with the arterial collector street plan and with the County's standards for an urban major collector. Ms. Cahill outlined the changes that had been made to the design standards for the project: sidewalk width was recommended to be changed from ten feet to five feet on a setback walk and six and a half feet for a curbside walk. She said in order to minimize the right-of-way action and conflicts to the trees, the City planned to "meander" the sidewalk. She indicated the third exception to the design standards was the inclusion of a turn lane at the west end of the project. She reminded the council that it was scheduled to take action on April 20, 2005. Mayor Piercy called for a five-minute break at 9:01 p.m. MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 11, 2005 Page 11 Regular Session