Item 2A: Approval of Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Becky Riley, 202 Hawthorne Avenue, said she was speaking on behalf of herself and a network of west Eugene residents who were advocating for cleaner air. She urged that Drew Johnson be appointed to the Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority (LRAPA) Board. She averred that his knowledge of the agency and of air regulation far surpassed that of the other candidates. She related that he had helped her neighborhood understand air contaminants and air pollution programs..She noted that the former director of LRAPA referred to him as the "ideas guy." She felt his skills were much needed at the agency, especially given the relative newness of some of the board members. She declared that he would help inform the board's choices because of his experience and public health perspective. Pat Hadley, 2611 Edison Street, president of the Trainsong Neighbors, echoed Ms. Riley's recommendation of Mr. Johnson. She explained that the Trainsong Neighbors were going to be intimately involved with issues regarding J.H. Baxter & Company and the railroad and would benefit from knowing that someone would be on board who could take a seat on the LRAPA and take action right away. She said originally she put her name into the running for the position, but withdrew because she considered Mr. Johnson to be a better candidate. Bill Burwell, 90575 Mountain View Lane, Leaburg, urged the City Council to adopt Resolution 4836. He explained that he was a lifelong resident of the McKenzie Valley, and noted that he had worked both in the timber industry and as a restoration forester. He averred that old growth trees were a thing of the past for mills as only three mills in the county remained tooled for large trees. He felt the USFS needed the direction the resolution would provide, as it was under pressure from Washington, DC, to cut the trees. He stated that selective management was good for second-growth forests and such forests provided the kinds of logs most mills were seeking. Mary Farrington, 1160 Monroe Street, wished to address the problems the Monroe Street Caf6 was creating for area neighbors. She said the business license specifically indicated there would be no live entertainment at the establishment, yet amplified performances occurred regularly. She shared that this music could be clearly heard inside her house. She related that noisy customers congregated in front of the building and would only disperse when the owner or a member of the Eugene Police Department (EPD) forced them. Parking also created problems for the neighborhood. Additionally, she reported that people congregated in the alley behind the establishment "doing something" but would "scatter like rats" at the sight of her with a telephone in her hand. Frank Gesley, 788 West 11 th Avenue, opposed renewal of the OLCC permit given to the Monroe Street Caf& He said the comer of his house, where his bedroom was located, was less than ten feet from the tavern's smoking area. He compared the noise when people were out smoking to the noise generated by a "German beer garden." He did not think members of the council or the OLCC would put up with it. He shared that he was 83 years old and had lived in his house for 21 years. He underscored that his serenity in his old age was impacted by the neighboring establishment and that he was not able to enjoy being in his garden. Kris Ward, 1134 Monroe Street, asserted that since the Monroe Street Caf~ changed hands, it had attracted an "unsavory crowd" of people as its customers. She said she reported the establishment to OLCC, the EPD, and met with the owner. She averred the owner had not demonstrated the ability to control the noise, loitering, and alcohol use, and ignored the needs of neighbors. She lost count of the number of times she was awakened by the noise at night, adding that she had given up on making reports MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 23, 2005 Page 4 Regular Session